The Internet will be the CB radio of the ’90s,” he told…
““The Internet will be the CB radio of the ’90s,” he told me, a charge he later repeated to the press. Weiswasser summed up ABC’s argument for ignoring the new medium: “You aren’t going to turn passive consumers into active trollers on the internet.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The internet was predicted to become a ubiquitous, interactive medium like CB radio, but expectations of turning passive users into active trolls were misguided.
In simple terms: Internet was expected to be interactive like CB radio.
Key Takeaway
Expectations of internet behavior were unrealistic.
Themes
technology
media
prediction
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
technological
media studies
When to use this quote
- online communities
- social media platforms
- marketing strategies
- public policy
Key Concepts
Digital communication
user behavior
media hype
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we foster constructive online participation?
- What realistic roles should the internet play?
A Different Perspective
Assuming all users will become trolls overlooks collaborative potential.