The Bryn Mawr and Haverford Bi-College News (September 24,1993)

Levin Introduces Haverford to the World of Multimedia Technology
By Marcela Musgrove and Dana Stidham
Assistant News Editors

Haverford alumnus and CEO of Time-Warner,Inc. Gerald M. Levin visited campus Sunday to speak about “The Future of Interactive Multimedia”. After arriving in his personal helicopter, he spoke to a packed Sharpless auditorium.

Levin discussed the growing importance of multimedia in American society. His company, he said, is on the verge of committing its entire future and $5 billion to the concept without a lot of market research.

He spoke of making multimedia more accessible through the use of digitized signals, fiber-optic cable, and digital switches among other technological innovations.

Technologicals producers want to simplify multimedia access so that the average person can easily understand its functions. Although electronic real-time distribution systems may not completely replace the current hard copy systems of video cassettes and computer disks, he explained that they are bound to be popular.

Levin says movies on demand should be “sufficiently attractive to finance the system”. He also believes they are significantly representative in a changing technology which allows consumers to demand their own personally-defined entertainment.

Video games will not be computer graphic, but full motion. The expanding information network will bring innovations in purchasing transactions. Levin described the electronic mall, where one may navigate through stores by computer touch, clicking a mouse on desired objects for more information. In such a picture, a person’s image, complete with accurate measurements might be included.

Levin also expanded on the idea of “news on demand”. Today, one waits in a linear fashion for news. With a technologically advanced system, stories will not usually be concluded, but amended. Time Warner hopes to go beneath the surface of video news into a greater depth, creating a system similar to the bulletin board of discussion group.

Fiber optic cable will also be available for telecommunications in full-motion video telephones. The digitalization of personal communication systems, such as the cellular phone, will make these devices more available to the average consumer.

The development of a multimedia world necessitates the covergence of computer,telephone, consumer electronic, entertainment, publication and cable companies. Questions arise over how the “information highway will be financed, as well as whether control wil be public or private.

Levin is particularly concerned about the control of information, and is wary of the fprmation of an “information aristocracy”. Some sort of base-line service is planned, but supplementary items may be expensive. Levin worries about the effects of multimedia on literacy as well as the role of tabloid television. He notes the lack of major institutions such as The New York Times , The Washington Post, and Time Warner in the emerging structure of future media. As the head of Time Warner, Levin is committed to going forward. As a Haverford graduate, he believes in his “social opportunity to get ideas off the pages and screens and into people’s hearts.” He is also “dedicated to the company , not only to make a profit, but also to make a difference.”