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 79 Grassmarket /\ / o __ /_ UUCP : ...!UKC!CS.HW.AC.UK!NICK Edinburgh EH1 2HJ / \ / / / /__) Tel : +44 31 225 6465 Ext. 491 United Kingdom / \/ (_ (___ / \ Fax : +44 31 449 5153