It seems to me that we have to keep a balance. The balance right now, as I see it, is tipping toward virtual technology, toward virtual reality, toward mediated worlds, and that mediation is dangerous both culturally and politically. Culturally, it sets us apart from one another. Politically, it opens us up to manipulation. Someone can manipulate the reality I’m getting on-line more easily than they can manipulate the reality I get face-to-face. So the answer is to go carefully, to take a selective look at what we’re losing along the way, to discuss what’s happening.
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: ÒIt seems to me that we have to keep a balance. The balance right now, as I see it, is tipping toward virtual technology, toward virtual reality, toward mediated worlds, and that mediation is dangerous both culturally and politically. Culturally, it sets us apart from one another. Politically, it opens us up to manipulation. Someone can manipulate the reality I’m getting on-line more easily than they can manipulate the reality I get face-to-face. So the answer is to go carefully, to take a selective look at what we’re losing along the way, to discuss what’s happening.Ó
Date of prediction: January 1, 1995
Topic of prediction: General, Overarching Remarks
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