The Pew Research Center's Internet and American Life Project recently released the results of their latest survey of 895 "technology experts and critics" — I was honoured to be among them — and our thoughts about where computing and telecommunications technologes are headed.
Here are some of the findings I found interesting:
- Three quarters (including me) agreed with the statement, “By 2020, people’s use of the Internet has enhanced human intelligence; as people are allowed unprecedented access to more information they become smarter and make better choices. Nicholas Carr was wrong: Google does not make us stupid."That said, there was a lot of qualifications made by those who took that view. You can read many thoughtful comments here.
- Reading, writing, and the rendering of knowledge will be improved: 65% agreed with the statement “by 2020 it will be clear that the Internet has enhanced and improved reading, writing and the rendering of knowledge.” Still, 32% of the respondents expressed concerns that by 2020 “it will be clear that the Internet has diminished and endangered reading, writing and the rendering of knowledge.”
- Anonymous online activity will be challenged, though a modest majority still think it will possible in 2020: There more of a split verdict among the expert respondents about the fate on online anonymity. Some 55% agreed that Internet users will still be able to communicate anonymously, while 41% agreed that by 2020 “anonymous online activity is sharply curtailed.”
Tags: internet, pew internet, google, surveys