Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!pacbell.com!lll-winken!telecom-request From: john@zygot.ati.com (John Higdon) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: The Press and Numbers Message-ID: Date: 21 Mar 91 18:18:00 GMT Sender: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu Reply-To: John Higdon Organization: Green Hills and Cows Lines: 32 Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 224, Message 7 of 10 Sandy Kyrish <0003209613@mcimail.com> writes: > Every time we laugh at "outsiders" for making technological mistakes, > we are proving that we see technology as a special priesthood that > only the scrupulously worthy can join. The fact is, technology exists > in society, and plain old people are periodically going to make > technical mistakes about it. Personally, I don't find poking fun at > them an ego trip. I did not hear any laughing. I did see gross errors and one of the most serious problems in our society today is the rampant spread of misinformation about matters technical. It is misinformation that is fueling the "crackdown on hackers", and activity that is wasting our resources and ruining lives. It is misinformation that is causing confusion and waste in (among other things) the telecom marketplace. It may seem harmless to you that dilatants such as Joe Abernathy use their positions (and lack of knowledge) to arouse and enflame the masses, but there are some of us who see first-hand the harm and destruction that results. If "plain old people", particularly those who have access to the media, make technical mistakes it is the sworn duty of those who know better to correct them. And do it publicly if possible. I am sorry if accuracy offends you, but if "outsiders" are going to pontificate to the world using false doctrine, you had better turn aside while the priesthood of technology performs its exorcism. John Higdon | P. O. Box 7648 | +1 408 723 1395 john@zygot.ati.com | San Jose, CA 95150 | M o o !