Path: utzoo!utgpu!utstat!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!eecae!netnews.upenn.edu!rutgers!bellcore!texbell!sugar!ficc!jeffd
From: jeffd@ficc.uu.net (jeff daiell)
Newsgroups: comp.society.futures
Subject: Re: Another Effect of Computers
Summary: Another Aspect
Message-ID: <3387@ficc.uu.net>
Date: 12 Mar 89 15:52:57 GMT
References: <3383@ficc.uu.net> <3385@ficc.uu.net>
Organization: Ferranti International Controls
Lines: 58

In article <3385@ficc.uu.net>, jbush@ficc.uu.net (Jim bush) writes:
> In article <3383@ficc.uu.net>, jeffd@ficc.uu.net (Jeff daiell) writes:
> > 
> > 
> > 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.  
> >  [Deleted examples etc. ]
> 
> I hope that you are right, Jefff.  I have also been disturbed by the
> biased news
> coverage (except as you can probably figure out since you know 
> me, I would use
> a different set of examples :-).  

Jim, by mentioning -- even with a smiley -- that you and I would
use different examples, you made me think of another aspect of
nettery that has some definite social implications: the fact
that, on the net, folks can hash out all sorts of topics,
running down every last little aspect, examining every last
little perspective, arguing back and forth, etc.  

This doesn't exist too many other places.  In the work
setting, policy tends to be policy, and there's only so much
discussion/disagreement that is allowed.  In the social setting,
letters to the editor sections rarely permit replies to replies,
and what passes for town meetings these days are often care-
fully packed charades designed to advance the agenda of those
staging them.  For instance, to cite about the worst example,
during the mid-to-late 70s, in Miami, Florida, there was a 
'public forum' sponsored by the county's delegation to the
State Legislature.  Speaker after speaker urged *higher*
taxes!  Odd?  Not when you consider that most were officeholders,
complaining about their "low" salaries.  A judge, who made
$36,000 a year at a time I made less than $10,000, angered me
the most, when he proclaimed taxes were "too d--- low".  Yeah,
and a tick wishes his dog had more blood!  As I said, most 
of these so-called town meetings these days are no such thing.

So the net provides a way to have thoroughgoing discussions about
various matters -- crippler circuitry, alternative keyboards,
third parties, the status of computer science in various
countries, etc.  It's a valuable medium; let's hope it stays
as free as it is.

And, yes -- this topic by itself could *also* suffice 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"