[rm_-rf_slash]

It's kind of unfair to point and laugh at the person who didn't predict the future correctly. I don't think anybody could have foreseen the interactive potential for the internet.

The internet encompasses vast video game experiences, nearly realtime communication from politicians and public figures (without hauling around a C-SPAN 2 camera team), and has even taken on a life of its own with YouTube stars and internet celebrities, completely bypassing the traditional media channels that were usually dominated by the whims of their producers.

Even now I think our impression of the internet is roughly in line with the people of the early 20th century who could not have begun to imagine the vast possibilities provided by mass electrification.

[forgetsusername]

>It's kind of unfair to point and laugh at the person who didn't predict the future correctly.

If you're going to put your predictions out there in the public sphere as an influencer, then I think it's fair (in fact necessary) to judge people on those predictions and their record.

However, I doubt many of us would do better if held to the same level of scrutiny. Two examples from these boards: Dropbox ("it sucks!") and Theranos ("game-changing!") would embarass at least a few of us.