Television, computer, telecommunications, and micrographics technologies are converging, and advances in networking are increasing opportunities for exposure to information and knowledge. The study of networks will be especially important since the future probably will impose method and order among, rather than within, information nodes. The evolving electronic information environment will have a major impact on US economic and political development. Therefore, the government should facilitate the introduction of information technology into society and provide ways to address public policy issues. Since conventional regulatory approaches apparently will not work, a nonprofit institute should be established to provide a framework for a national information program. By providing for voluntary affiliation by information elements in the public and private sectors, such an institute could promote the cooperation needed to shape information policies that will benefit people in the future.