--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Almost all of the many predictions now…" description: "\"Almost all of the many predictions now being made about 1996 hinge on the internet's continuing exponential growth. But I predict the internet will soo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee5/robert-metcalfe-30657_collapse_almost-all-of-the-many-predictions-now-b_2193478.png" --- # Almost all of the many predictions now being made about… ![“Almost all of the many predictions now being made about 1996 hinge on the internet's continuing exponential growth. But I predict the internet will soon go spectacularly supernova and in 1996 catastrophically collapse.” quote by Robert Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee5/robert-metcalfe-30657_collapse_almost-all-of-the-many-predictions-now-b_2193478.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee5/robert-metcalfe-30657_collapse_almost-all-of-the-many-predictions-now-b_2193478.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee5/robert-metcalfe-30657_collapse_almost-all-of-the-many-predictions-now-b_2193478.png) > “Almost all of the many predictions now being made about 1996 hinge on the internet's continuing exponential growth. But I predict the internet will soon go spectacularly supernova and in 1996 catastrophically collapse.” [Robert Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-metcalfe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker predicts that the internet's rapid growth will culminate in a catastrophic collapse in 1996, suggesting a belief in an imminent, dramatic failure. **In simple terms:** Internet growth may end in a sudden collapse. Key Takeaway Prepare for potential tech disruptions. Themes technology prediction risk Mood cautionary speculative Type technology future When to use this quote - business planning - IT infrastructure - risk management - policy making - investing Key Concepts exponential growth system failure future studies Questions to Reflect On - What signs indicate a tech collapse? - How can we build resilient systems? A Different Perspective Prediction proved inaccurate; may cause panic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Collapse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/collapse/) [Exponential growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exponential-growth/) [Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) [Internet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internet/) [Predictions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/predictions/) ## Related quotes > [I predict the Internet will soon go spectacularly supernova and in 1996 catastrophically collapse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-metcalfe/i-predict-the-internet-will-soon-go-spectacularly-supernova-and-in/) [Robert Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-metcalfe/) > [The internet will catastrophically collapse in 1996.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-metcalfe/the-internet-will-catastrophically-collapse-in-1996/) [Robert Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-metcalfe/) > [The current days of the Internet will soon be over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/the-current-days-of-the-internet-will-soon-be-over/) [Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/) > [“In the early phases, the structure exhibits exponential growth. This identifies the reinforcing loop. However, the balancing loop is effectively dormant. It's only later…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-jolly/in-the-early-phases-the-structure-exhibits-exponential-growth-this/) [Rich Jolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-jolly/) > [“How quickly can you convert exponential growth into the critical mass needed to become a platform? Once that happens there is no practical limit.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salim-ismail/how-quickly-can-you-convert-exponential-growth-into-the-critical-mass/) [Salim Ismail](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salim-ismail/) > [We're not on a sustainable path in civilization. We're on an exponential growth curve, on which we perhaps always have been, but it has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-mitchell/we-re-not-on-a-sustainable-path-in-civilization-we-re-on-an/) [Edgar Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-mitchell/) > [Our principal constraints are cultural. During the last two centuries we have known nothing but exponential growth and in parallel we have evolved what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-king-hubbert/our-principal-constraints-are-cultural-during-the-last-two-centuries/) [M. King Hubbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-king-hubbert/) > [“exponential growth. In ancient China a man came to the emperor and demonstrated to him his invention of the game of chess. The emperor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/exponential-growth-in-ancient-china-a-man-came-to-the-emperor-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Photography's future is infinite and bright. It's growing exponentially, so that's great, but for me as a practitioner, that exponential growth makes it even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alec-soth/photography-s-future-is-infinite-and-bright-it-s-growing/) [Alec Soth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alec-soth/) > [Exponential growth in access to the Internet, satellite television and radio, cell phones, and P.D.A.'s means that breaking news now reaches virtually every corner…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-dee-myers/exponential-growth-in-access-to-the-internet-satellite-television-and/) [Dee Dee Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-dee-myers/) > [“While exponential growth is a remarkable manifestation of our extraordinary accomplishments as a species, built into it are the potential seeds of our demise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-west/while-exponential-growth-is-a-remarkable-manifestation-of-our/) [Geoffrey West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-west/) > [We all exist in a time of widespread exponential growth. We are busier than ever. When things pile sky-high on top of each other,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-somerhalder/we-all-exist-in-a-time-of-widespread-exponential-growth-we-are-busier/) [Ian Somerhalder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-somerhalder/) > [I want every album and every year to be a period of growth - and exponential growth as to what I'm able to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tei-shi/i-want-every-album-and-every-year-to-be-a-period-of-growth-and/) [Tei Shi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tei-shi/) > [Anyone who believes exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world is either a madman or an economist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/anyone-who-believes-exponential-growth-can-go-on-forever-in-a-finite/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Adolescence is interesting. I mean, all of life is interesting and all of life is transitionary. But I think there is an exponential growth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-henson/adolescence-is-interesting-i-mean-all-of-life-is-interesting-and-all/) [Bill Henson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-henson/) ## More by Robert Metcalfe > [When you're running a company, creating jobs is the last thing you want to. When you're running a company you want to employ as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-metcalfe/when-you-re-running-a-company-creating-jobs-is-the-last-thing-you/) [Robert Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-metcalfe/) > [Invention is a flower, innovation is a weed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-metcalfe/invention-is-a-flower-innovation-is-a-weed/) [Robert Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-metcalfe/) > [Innovation makes the world go round. It brings prosperity and freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-metcalfe/innovation-makes-the-world-go-round-it-brings-prosperity-and-freedom/) [Robert Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-metcalfe/) > [I saw that there are people who will connive against innovation. They're hostile to it. And that has shaped my behavior ever since.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-metcalfe/i-saw-that-there-are-people-who-will-connive-against-innovation-they/) [Robert Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-metcalfe/) > [Where visionaries can be good at persuasion, CEOs are good at wielding authority. Visionaries transcend organizations, resources, and current realities, while CEOs master them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-metcalfe/where-visionaries-can-be-good-at-persuasion-ceos-are-good-at-wielding/) [Robert Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-metcalfe/) > [The world needs a better understanding of how to encourage innovation. And innovators need to get better at it. Sign me up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-metcalfe/the-world-needs-a-better-understanding-of-how-to-encourage-innovation/) [Robert Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-metcalfe/) > [Grove giveth and Gates taketh away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-metcalfe/grove-giveth-and-gates-taketh-away/) [Robert Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-metcalfe/) > [In network theory, the value of a system grows as approximately the square of the number of users of the system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-metcalfe/in-network-theory-the-value-of-a-system-grows-as-approximately-the/) [Robert Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-metcalfe/) > [You don't grow the economy by growing government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-metcalfe/you-don-t-grow-the-economy-by-growing-government/) [Robert Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-metcalfe/) > [I consider what I write to be literature. I choose the words carefully.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-metcalfe/i-consider-what-i-write-to-be-literature-i-choose-the-words-carefully/) [Robert Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-metcalfe/) > [In seven to ten years video traffic on the Internet will exceed data and voice traffic combined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-metcalfe/in-seven-to-ten-years-video-traffic-on-the-internet-will-exceed-data/) [Robert Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-metcalfe/) > [I predict the Internet will soon go spectacularly supernova and in 1996 catastrophically collapse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-metcalfe/i-predict-the-internet-will-soon-go-spectacularly-supernova-and-in/) [Robert Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-metcalfe/) > [The internet will catastrophically collapse in 1996.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-metcalfe/the-internet-will-catastrophically-collapse-in-1996/) [Robert Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-metcalfe/) > [If you cannot be on the project each day to check on things, then you should not try and be your own contractor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-metcalfe/if-you-cannot-be-on-the-project-each-day-to-check-on-things-then-you/) [Robert Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-metcalfe/) > [I've screwed up and I've overcommitted and it's typical of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-metcalfe/i-ve-screwed-up-and-i-ve-overcommitted-and-it-s-typical-of-me/) [Robert Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-metcalfe/) [Explore all 17 Robert Metcalfe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-metcalfe/) ## More Collapse quotes > [We can't have a government that will collapse in three months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-varadkar/we-can-t-have-a-government-that-will-collapse-in-three-months/) [Leo Varadkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-varadkar/) > [I was too tired to think. I merely felt the town as a unique unreality. What was it? I knew -- the moon's picture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-was-too-tired-to-think-i-merely-felt-the-town-as-a-unique-unreality/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Fortunately, the mind is restless; when it uncovers a layer of its own deception, gives up an illusion, exposes a lie, it does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-chernin/fortunately-the-mind-is-restless-when-it-uncovers-a-layer-of-its-own/) [Kim Chernin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-chernin/) > [ Corruption could lead to the collapse of the Party \[Communist Party of China\] and the downfall of the state \[People's Republic of China\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xi-jinping/corruption-could-lead-to-the-collapse-of-the-party-communist-party-of/) [Xi Jinping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xi-jinping/) > [The Roman world is in collapse but we do not bend our neck.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-jerome/the-roman-world-is-in-collapse-but-we-do-not-bend-our-neck/) [St. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-jerome/) > [Just take one thing out and the whole palace, the whole edifice of the human mind collapses. Take effort out of it and desiring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/just-take-one-thing-out-and-the-whole-palace-the-whole-edifice-of-the/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [The economic position is only flourishing on the surface. Germany is in fact dancing on a volcano. If the short-term credits are called in,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustav-stresemann/the-economic-position-is-only-flourishing-on-the-surface-germany-is/) [Gustav Stresemann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gustav-stresemann/) > [The infrastructure will collapse. Voltage spikes. Throw your keys in the bowl. Kiss your husband goodnight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radiohead/the-infrastructure-will-collapse-voltage-spikes-throw-your-keys-in/) [Radiohead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radiohead/) > [I love that the collapse of The Other Side is being felt in both 'The Vampire Diaries' and 'The Originals' universes - as someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-serle/i-love-that-the-collapse-of-the-other-side-is-being-felt-in-both-the/) [Rebecca Serle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-serle/) > [NAFTA, by itself, will not collapse. The possibility is that the United States leaves the treaty, but the treaty itself would keep regulating relations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/nafta-by-itself-will-not-collapse-the-possibility-is-that-the-united/) [Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ildefonso-guajardo-villarreal/) > [I was planning on writing a detailed review of several books on web security tonight, but the Obama collapse has superseded my best-laid plans.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-foster-johnson/i-was-planning-on-writing-a-detailed-review-of-several-books-on-web/) [Charles Foster Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-foster-johnson/) > [The State of Israel is not collapsing and will not collapse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariel-sharon/the-state-of-israel-is-not-collapsing-and-will-not-collapse/) [Ariel Sharon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariel-sharon/) > [One of the problems with industrialism is that it's based on the premise of more and more. It has to keep expanding to keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dora-russell/one-of-the-problems-with-industrialism-is-that-it-s-based-on-the/) [Dora Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dora-russell/) > [You will learn that at higher levels of energy, our fields of prayer act very quickly to bring us exactly what we expect. 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