1979 - The Future Of Big Data Predicted

I directed and shot this interview for The Information Society, a PBS special in 1979 on the future of data. Leonard Schaeffer went on to do very important things including running Wellpoint. He had an amazing vision of the future which proved to be correct. It was an honor to hear his thoughts back then.

[dougdigby]

Thanks for showing this part of the interview. He knew what he was talking about. I like his enthusiasm.

[scubaguy]

When he talked about aggregating on individual experiences my first thoughts were, he just nailed social media algorithms. 🤯

[NuGanjaTron]

It's quite chilling how accurately he predicts the information gathering now going on behind our backs... except he disregarded the sinister implications. And he was "right on the money" on the money being made, if you pardon the pun.

[jacknedry]

He basically prediced the modern internet, woah.

[MrDonkov]

He made the (very) right predictions  :)

[nschuehly]

Did PBS broadcast this special or did they cancel it? Anyway, this is an amazing interview! Thanks very much for uploading it (and the other videos from this documentary).