Re: [ba-unrev-talk] First S.F. Chronicle article on trans fats

[Gary Richmond <garyrichmond@rcn.com>]

Matthew Schneider wrote:
> Certainly use of the Internet/Usenet/Web by "the average man" in the streets 
> play an increasingly important role . . . 
>   
No doubt the Internet can play an important role in the possible future of
democracy. A further concluding thought in the summary of Rheingold's "Smart
Mobs" (thanks for directing me to it) sets forth the problematic: it all
depends on the use and control of it. 
> The way we use these technologies, and the way
> governments allow us to use them, is very much in question. Technologies of
> cooperation, or the ultimate disinfotainment apparatus? The next several years
> are a crucial and unusually malleable interregnum. Especially in this interval
> before the new media sphere settles into its final shape, what we know and
> what we do matters.
"Technologies of cooperation, or the ultimate disinfotainment apparatus."
Your comment:
> . . .that we remain vigilant and fight any effort to limit its 
> use
>       
is exactly the point--or at least a vital part of it. Still, how we
go about doing this is another. How we might put it to positive use
in cooperation and collaboration is yet another.
      
Gary
> 200209232114.28723.matsch@sasites.com">
> On Monday 23 September 2002 20:07, Gary Richmond wrote:
>
> > Still, I agree with you that a free press are our best hope of yet
> > retaining anything of what might be left of democracy in this country.
> >           
>
> Certainly use of the Internet/Usenet/Web by "the average man" in the streets 
> play an increasingly important role (talk about preaching to the choir ;) All 
> the more important that we remain vigilant and fight any effort to limit its 
> use.
>
> On a somewhat related note, I am anxious to read Howard Rheingold's 
> forthcoming tome: "Smart Mobs", http://www.smartmobs.com/book/index.html
>
> From the summary: "Media cartels and government agencies are seeking to 
> reimpose the regime of the broadcast era in which the customers of technology 
> will be deprived of the power to create and left only with the power to 
> consume."
>
> Matthew A. Schneider
>
>