It's a notable trend even Tom Friedman would celebrate: As a low-cost global online network continues to grow and thrive, the communications world as we know it is flattening
out and seeping into all corners of the globe. This theory was confirmed by the Pew Internet Project and Elon University in their second report on "The Future of the Internet,"
released last week.
The report surveyed 742 Internet leaders, activists and analysts, asking them to look to the future and anticipate the impact of an increasingly pervasive online network by the
year 2020. Would the evolution of technology prompt a split of governments and corporations that don't embrace Internet policies? How should the Internet be policed? What will
its impact be in social interactions?
Respondents' themes were based on reactions to seven scenarios (see chart). They struck both positive and negative chords, and they had sweeping implications for the
communications industry: For example, a belief that such a complex, widespread network would foster transparency among institutions was counterbalanced by the fear that
individuals would both wittingly and unwittingly disclose private information about themselves. There is also a widespread belief that, as is usually the case with cultural
movements, a rouge counterculture will take root against online communications networks, prompting members of its ranks to either ignore such platforms or, worse, commit acts of
terror against them.
As the world continues to digitize and communications professionals work to stay ahead of - or at least in line with - the cyber curve, the trends below offer educated insight
into the wave of the future.