Letters to the Editor Cyberspace: A State of Mind?
E njoyed Rosenberg's feature on the Cyberspace Declaration of Independence. After reading the CDI myself after it first came out, I emailed similar comments/questions to Barlow.
Barlow's attempt to draw analogies between the human mind/ body paradigm and the "republic of mind"/Net paradigm is intriguing but not convincing. Human minds/bodies are controlled by individuals while the Net is controlled by individuals working for corporations and the government. What Barlow and other die-hard Net supporters seem to be in denial of is the fact that the Net is essentially a machine. Like any other machine, the Net was designed to be managed and monitored by some authority. Even more dubious is the fact that the Net is controlled by nameless, faceless authorities sitting at computer terminals in anywhere USA.
Barlow's allusion to revolt is as watery as his reference to wetware. The problem of censorship is not deemed important by some people who blindly accept the censorship of certain books in their schools and public libraries. What makes Barlow think they care about censorship of the Net?
Anthony Jankowski
Better Ruler than Read
The review of David Brooks' book may be cogent as to the literary pretentions of the right. However, just as Catullus may have sneered at Octavian as a mere striver, one ruled, where the other is only read.
Frank P. Johnston
The Dark Type
It's great to see the interview with E.J. Dionne. I would like to suggest that the use of white-on-black type be avoided in the future, though. I find it hard to read. And, for what it's worth, according to David Ogilvie in "Ogilvie on Advertising," several studies have shown that it's hard to read. Thanks!
Daniel Weinreb
What Hath Chute Wrought?
Just what is Carolyn Chute trying to say? That we harken back to where the angels do not sing? Bigger government? That another form of government would be better suited for our society? That we design legislation to punish corporate profit? The have-nots have always criticized the haves in any government. Our government needs to keep evolving as our people see fit, and we need to hear from the Chutes of this country -- hearing from them reminds us to make a right instead of a left that circles back to where we started.
It is natural for most people to resist change because they do not want to leave their respective "comfort" zones. Because of this it takes longer to move society ahead and meet new challenges, climb new mountains.
Carolyn seems to be camping on her mountain.
Randy Soles
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