That seems to be the same year the essay was written, interestingly.

It's just odd to read predictions about "the beginning of the 21st century" written 30 years ago. I think I first read this essay in the early 80s when it all seemed very reasonable. (Although as he says in his commencement speech about something else, "Oh, give or take a few months; I mean, you know, you can't be too exact on a thing like this.")