information superhighway
information superhighway
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "information superhighway" is /ɪn.fɚˌmeɪ.ʃən ˌsuː.pɚˈhaɪ.weɪ/.
Here is a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
in - /ɪn/
for - /fɚ/
ma - /meɪ/
tion - /ʃən/
su - /suː/
per - /pɚ/
high - /haɪ/
way - /weɪ/
Word Form Variations
Singular: information superhighway
Plural: information superhighways
Possessive (Singular): information superhighway's
Possessive (Plural): information superhighways'
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A metaphorical term for the global telecommunications network, particularly the internet, which allows for the rapid transmission and exchange of data, information, and communication. This term emphasizes the vast scale and speed of digital connectivity, akin to a network of physical roadways.
Synonyms: The Internet, the World Wide Web, the Net, cyberspace, the digital highway.
Antonyms: (There are no direct antonyms for this term, as it describes a specific technological concept. However, one could consider terms for a lack of connectivity or slower forms of communication as conceptual opposites.) - analog communication, slow data transfer, isolation.
A system or framework that provides access to a wide variety of information and services through electronic means. This definition focuses on the function of the network as a source of resources.
Synonyms: data network, communication infrastructure, global network.
Antonyms: (Conceptual opposites include) - limited access, private network, closed system.
Examples of Use
Books: In the book The Road Ahead, Bill Gates discusses the future of technology and how the "information superhighway" will transform society by connecting people and providing access to vast amounts of information (Gates, 1995).
Newspapers: A New York Times article might refer to the "information superhighway" to explain how the internet is impacting global commerce and communication, describing the rapid exchange of goods and ideas across borders.
Online Publications: A tech blog or online magazine might use the term to evoke a sense of nostalgia when discussing the early days of the internet, comparing the "information superhighway" of the 1990s to the more sophisticated, modern-day internet.
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms: In a movie or television show set in the early to mid-1990s, a character might use the phrase "information superhighway" to sound technologically savvy, highlighting the cultural significance of the term during that period.
General Public Discourse: During a public speech or interview, a politician or industry leader might use the term "information superhighway" to describe their vision for a more connected future, emphasizing the importance of expanding broadband access and digital literacy.
10 Famous Quotes Using Information Superhighway
"Just as the development of the Interstate Highway System led to the creation of McDonald's hamburgers and Holiday Inn, we will see the emergence of information services on a nationwide information superhighway." - Al Gore (1993)
"National borders aren't even speed bumps on the information superhighway." - Timothy C. May (1994)
"The information superhighway is the route we must take to reach the Information Age." - Oscar Gandy (1994)
"The information superhighway is a great thing, but it's not a panacea for all of our problems." - Bill Clinton (1996)
"Civility is only a passenger - not a driver - on the information superhighway." - Don Rittner (1995)
"The information superhighway will not just be a road, but a system of many different routes and destinations." - Bill Gates (1995)
"The information superhighway is less a highway than it is a series of dirt roads and side streets." - Nicholas Negroponte (1995)
"The information superhighway is a metaphorical term for the global telecommunications network." - Paul Saffo (1994)
"The information superhighway is a powerful new tool, but it is up to us to ensure that it is used for good." - Vint Cerf (1996)
"The information superhighway has the potential to transform education, commerce, and public life." - Vice President Al Gore (1994)
Etymology
The term "information superhighway" is a metaphor that combines two familiar concepts to describe something new and complex.
The first part, "information," refers to the data, knowledge, and communication that travels across the network.
The second part, "superhighway," is the key metaphor. It draws a direct parallel to the U.S. Interstate Highway System—a vast network of roads built for high-speed, long-distance travel. The word "superhighway" suggests speed, efficiency, and a massive scale, implying that information can travel across this digital network just as quickly and widely as cars travel on an interstate.
The first known use of the phrase is widely attributed to Vice President Al Gore in the early 1990s. While similar concepts had been discussed earlier, Gore popularized the term to help the public understand the potential of a national and global network of telecommunications. He used it to describe his vision for a national network that would allow people to access a huge variety of data and services, much like how the physical highway system connected the country and fostered economic growth. The term was effective because it made the abstract idea of the internet tangible and relatable to the average person.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Information Superhighway
Getting lost on the information superhighway: A phrase used to describe feeling overwhelmed or disoriented by the vast amount of data available online.
A fast lane on the information superhighway: This refers to having high-speed internet access or a particular advantage in accessing digital resources.
The off-ramp of the information superhighway: A metaphorical phrase for logging off or disconnecting from the internet.
A toll on the information superhighway: This could refer to a fee or subscription required to access certain online content or services.
Navigating the information superhighway: A common expression for the act of Browse the internet and searching for specific information.
Jumping onto the information superhighway: A phrase that means to begin using the internet for the first time.
The World Wide Web is the ultimate information superhighway: A descriptive statement highlighting the internet's role as the primary network for global data exchange.
A roadblock on the information superhighway: This idiom refers to a technical issue or a policy that restricts access to the internet or certain websites.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of information superhighway from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
