The rate of technological change will render privacy obsolete. During the critical period in which we can prevent the destruction of privacy, we cannot proceed on the assumption that those with power share our views and can be counted on to preserve our values. Brandeis saw the pitfall in such hopes as well when he said that “the greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding.” We must understand, and we must act.
Predictor: Tuerkheimer, Frank
Prediction, in context:The 1995 book “The Information Revolution,” edited by Donald Altschiller, carries a reprint of the 1993, Communications of the ACM article “The Underpinnings of Privacy Protection” by Frank Tuerkheimer. Tuerkheimer reviews judicial and policymaking concerns for privacy, especially in the field of electronic technology. He writes: ”There is no doubt that we are now at a crossroad. Technology will have a major impact on our lives and values as we understand them, unless we act and act quickly … The rate of technological change will render privacy obsolete. During the critical period in which we can prevent the destruction of privacy, we cannot proceed on the assumption that those with power share our views and can be counted on to preserve our values. Brandeis saw the pitfall in such hopes as well when he said that ‘the greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding.’ We must understand, and we must act.”
Date of prediction: January 1, 1993
Topic of prediction: Controversial Issues
Subtopic: Privacy/Surveillance
Name of publication: The Information Revolution (book)
Title, headline, chapter name: The Underpinnings of Privacy Protection
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Page 173
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Guarino, Jennifer Anne