Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!mcvax!ukc!etive!hwcs!nick
From: nick@cs.hw.ac.uk (Nick Taylor)
Newsgroups: comp.society.futures
Subject: Who Controls The Network
Message-ID: <2062@brahma.cs.hw.ac.uk>
Date: 30 Nov 88 11:36:24 GMT
Reply-To: nick@cs.hw.ac.uk (Nick Taylor)
Organization: Computer Science, Heriot-Watt U., Scotland
Lines: 46

I am very puzzled by the attitude of some posters on the subject of who
controls the network. Surely Uncle Sam is held more accountable (to the
American public) than any other US institution? After all the government
has to go to the polls on a regular basis and renew its mandate from the
people. Whilst I share some of the doubts expressed about giving power
to the likes of Ed Meese and Dan Quayle, I respect the fact that they were
democratically elected to represent the American people. You get what you
elect! In a democratic society you have to accept the wishes of the majority.
If you want changes you must vote for them. If the policies you want are
not on the political agenda of the candidates you must put them there. If
need be stand as a candidate yourself. If you feel that your fellow citizens
are gullible enough to buy any policy which is wrapped up in expensive
wrapping paper then I suggest that you look long and hard at the education
system that results in this.

I, personally, have grave doubts about some of the politicians and policies
of my country but I would rather trust them, as elected representatives who
will have to account for their actions at the next election, than GEC, ICI, 
BP, etc. over whom I have no direct control whatsoever. In fact, the only
control which I have over such large corporations is effected THROUGH the
government. What's more, in the case of large multinationals I not only
have to rely on MY government but also on YOURS (wherever you are from).

Now, who are these mythical users who are going to run and control the
network if Uncle Sam doesn't? Are they not the IBMs, AT&Ts, etc.? You surely
don't suppose that (assuming the American public are stupid enough to elect
a government with a totalitarian disposition, which I doubt) these companies
will not collaborate with the government if it means big bucks. There is,
and never will be, any room for altruism in a competitive environment. It
just doesn't pay!

If I were an American voter, rather than give up on Uncle Sam, I would look
to see how I could make the government more answerable to people and less
answerable to dollar bills. I am surprised that so many posters seem happy
to live in a country where they have no faith whatsoever in their government.
I further suggest that you have a duty to the international community to
ensure that your government truly reflects the hopes and aspirations of your
particular section of it. So, if you think it doesn't, get off your bum and
do something about it PDQ!

Nick Taylor                                 
Department of Computer Science                JANET : NICK@UK.AC.HW.CS
Heriot-Watt University                      ARPANET : NICK@CS.HW.AC.UK
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