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From: taylor@hplabsz.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.society
Subject: Re: Why can't WE change society?
Message-ID: <1116@hplabsz.HPL.HP.COM>
Date: Fri, 27-Nov-87 21:35:53 EST
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Posted: Fri Nov 27 21:35:53 1987
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Joel Jennings writes:

> Many things are done constructively, it's just that you are impatient
> with people because they don't react as fast as interactive systems.
> You just need some perspective (the study of history).

You are correct here and in your examples, but I think Joel is interested
more in the question of how communications networks such as USENET can
be used to accelerate the process.  Also, we need a more effective
system to facilitate informed decision making on behalf of the whole
society (Eric Drexler discusses this issue in _Engines_of_Creation_).

> One more thing to note is that different people have different
> perspectives of the world...

Yes, this is a major reason that netnews is not a very good place to
make decisions and further action.  Concensus is impossible in such
a diverse community.

> Part of the problem is that not every one in the world is connected, nor
> knows how to us computers.

Yes, computer phobia is a problem, but this is going away quickly as
young people grow up with computers.  They will soon be as ubiquitous
(more?) as the telephone is now.  As for the network not being a database,
you are right, but this is why I think the development of hypertext is
so important.  It will fix this problem.  Also, this is another reason
netnews is not good for this kind of thing.  For a project to have
continuity, someone must be responsible for keeping track of things.

> We are making an impact on society.  We are turning it upside down.

So true, so true.  Not only upside down, but inside out.  Patience is
necessary, but technology has already undergone a revolution.  We need
a similar revolution in our ability to incorperate change without
destroying ourselves and our environment in the process.  We must focus
more on human beings that the actual technology.  People *are* more
important than machines.  Bad interfaces are inefficient because they
sacrifice the efficiency of the user.

Gerry Gleason