Concerns that boundary-spanning networks might facilitate a breakdown of community affiliation, or disinterest in local affairs, appear unfounded … Also the fear that individuals will be overwhelmed by a deluge of “junk mail,” or subjected to defamatory or otherwise inappropriate message content, appears to be, although not a trivial issue, at least not one requiring too much attention at this point.
Predictor: Anderson, Robert H.
Prediction, in context:In a 1995 research paper published for the RAND Publications Database, Robert H. Anderson, Tora K. Bikson, Sally Ann Law, Bridger M. Mitchell, Christopher Kedzie, Brent Keltner, Constantijn Panis, Joel Pliskin, Padmanabhan Srinagesh write about the feasibility of universal access to e-mail: ”Individuals, groups, organizations, and the broader U.S. society can benefit from access to electronic networks. Networks provide opportunities for new and reliable informal and formal communication. They can support interpersonal relationships and facilitate the social integration of otherwise marginalized groups. Concerns that boundary-spanning networks might facilitate a breakdown of community affiliation, or disinterest in local affairs, appear unfounded. Although individuals benefit from access to wider national (and international) resources, ties to their local communities remain strong (and, arguably, are strengthened). Also the fear that individuals will be overwhelmed by a deluge of ‘junk mail,’ or subjected to defamatory or otherwise inappropriate message content, appears to be, although not a trivial issue, at least not one requiring too much attention at this point.”
Date of prediction: January 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Communication
Subtopic: E-mail
Name of publication: Rand Publications Database
Title, headline, chapter name: Universal Access to E-mail: Feasibility and Societal Implications
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
http://www.rand.org/publications/MR/MR650/mr650.ch5/ch5.html#ch5.h4
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Anderson, Janna Quitney