There’s an incredible shallowness to most on-line communication. I realize that there are good things being said on the net, but by and large the medium seems to encourage quickness over depth, and rapid response over reflection.
Predictor: Slouka, Mark
Prediction, in context:In a 1995 HarperÕs Magazine article, four experts on the impact of modern computing and telecommunications technology debate the effects of such technology on modern society. The article includes comments by Mark Slouka, the author of “War of the Worlds: Cyberspace and the Hi-tech Assault on Reality,” published by Basic Books. Slouka says: ”There is a real decline in the kind of discourse taking place. I go back to what John [Barlow] said in an interview that I read not too long ago. He said that the Internet is ‘CB radio, only typing.’ That really stuck in my mind, because there’s an incredible shallowness to most on-line communication. I realize that there are good things being said on the net, but by and large the medium seems to encourage quickness over depth, and rapid response over reflection.Ó
Date of prediction: January 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: Communication
Subtopic: General
Name of publication: Harper's Magazine
Title, headline, chapter name: What Are We Doing On-line? A Debate on the Social Consequences of Online Communications
Quote Type: Direct quote
Page number or URL of document at time of study:
Pages 35 - 46
This data was logged into the Elon/Pew Predictions Database by: Guarino, Jennifer Anne