Skip to content

Internet Quote by Kevin Kelly

“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.” quote by Kevin Kelly
Download Open image
““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.””

Kevin Kelly

About This Quote

Source Interview: Wired Magazine, 1995

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.

2.7 out of 5 (10 ratings)

More by Kevin Kelly

Explore all 167 Kevin Kelly quotes

More Internet quotes

Browse all 9,049 Internet quotes