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From: Newman.es@PARC-MAXC.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.ai
Subject: Re: New Generation computing: Japanese and U.S. motivations
Message-ID: <14827@sri-arpa.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 20-Dec-83 23:41:06 EST
Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.14827
Posted: Tue Dec 20 23:41:06 1983
Date-Received: Sat, 24-Dec-83 10:42:43 EST
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From:  Ron Newman <Newman.es@PARC-MAXC.ARPA>

Are we really in disagreement?

It seems pretty clear from my quotes, and from numerous writings on the
subject, that the Japanese intend to use the Fifth Generation Project to
strengthen their position in commercial markets.  We don't disagree
there.

It also seems clear that, as you say, "Congress is funding a project
called Strategic Computing to maintain and strengthen US military and
commercial technology."  That should be parsed as "Military technology
first, with hopes of commercial spinoff."

If you think that's a misleading distortion, read the DARPA Strategic
Computing Report.  Pages 21 through 29 contain detailed specifications
of the requirements of three specific military applications.   There is
no equivalent specification of non-military application
requirements--only a vague statement on page 9 that commercial spinoffs
will occur.  Military requirements and terminology permeate the entire
report.

If the U.S. program is aimed at military applications, that's what it
will produce.  Any commercial or industrial spinoff will be incidental.
If we are serious about strengthening commercial computer technology,
then that's what we should be aiming for.  As you say, that's certainly
what the Japanese are aiming for.

Isn't it about time that we put our economic interests first, and the
military second?

/Ron