The Future of the Internet II

THE FUTURE OF THE INTERNET II
[SOURCE: Pew Internet & American Life Project, AUTHOR: Janna Anderson, Lee Rainie]
A survey of technology thinkers and stakeholders shows they believe the Internet will continue to spread in a "flattening" and improving world. There are many, though, who think major problems will accompany technology advances by 2020. Among the predictions: 1) Humans will remain in charge of technology, even as more activity is automated and “smart agents” proliferate. However, a significant 42% of survey respondents were pessimistic about humans’ ability to control the technology in the future. 2) Virtual reality will be compelling enough to enhance worker productivity and also spawn new addiction problems. 3) Tech “refuseniks” will emerge as a cultural group characterized by their choice to live off the network. Some will do this as a benign way to limit information overload, while others will commit acts of violence and terror against technology-inspired change. 4) People will wittingly and unwittingly disclose more about themselves, gaining some benefits in the process even as they lose some privacy. A predictions database can be viewed at http://www.elon.edu/predictions/
http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/188/report_display.asp