Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!sugar!ficc!jeffd
From: jeffd@ficc.uu.net (jeff daiell)
Newsgroups: comp.society.futures
Subject: Another Effect of Computers
Message-ID: <3383@ficc.uu.net>
Date: 11 Mar 89 14:52:41 GMT
Organization: Ferranti International Controls
Lines: 50




Another effect computerization can have on society is represented
by the net itself.  That's the spreading of news that otherwise
might not get spread.  

Most major papers and TV and radio stations are owned by Establishment
concerns.  They will decline to cover, or will undercover, news that
the Establishment would rather we not know (one recent example is
the refusal of the Network Election 'Service' to report *any*
Independent or third-party votes --- and to deliberately fudge
the percentages for Bush and Dukakis upwards to equal 100% (a 
polite way of saying 'lie about it') ... and
before you respond that the alternative vote was too small to
make a difference: the head of the NES said before the election
that this procedure would be followed *regardless* of the
votes garnered by alternative candidates -- even if it reached
10% or more.  Other examples would be the creation of a 
paramilitary group to suppress demonstrations should Washington
intervene in Latin America, and the issuing of silencers to
DEA folks.)

Now, alternative magazines exist, and there are some alternative
radio stations.  But the net can also be a great way to get these
data out to folks who might otherwise never had known of them.
As long as the flow of information remains pretty unregulated, this
aspect could be *very* important -- which may be why there is a
move afoot to charge even non-commercial bulletin boards
commercial phone rates.  If the move succeeds, some BBSes will
have to cease, as their operators won't be able to pay the
higher rate.  (Think the connection is far-fetched?
A few years ago the government of Czechoslovakia started 
requiring that typewriters be registered}!)

Actually, this aspect -- dissemination of news the Establishment
media will spike -- *by itself* might be a good topic for
a thesis or dissertation!

Para un Tejas Libre,

Jeff Daiell



-- 
   "Why can't they be like *we* were -- perfect in every way?
              What's the matter with kids today?"

                                From "Bye, Bye Birdie"