From: ferguson@icm1.icp.net (Paul Ferguson x2044)
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 93 16:09:07 PST
To: mnemonic@eff.org (Mike Godwin)
Subject: Let "Common Sense" (tm) dictate the in-roads for NII
In-Reply-To: <199311092324.AA04888@eff.org>
Message-ID: <9311100004.AA21899@icm1.icp.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text


Mike Godwin writes:
> 
> Tim May writes:
> 
> > How is a Net connection any more usable than a free CNN channel?
> 
> For one thing, I get cypherpunks here.

Good point.

> 
> > So, if we need a National Information Infractructure, why not the same
> > thing for newspapers, television, radio, etc.? Why not guarantee
> > everyone a daily newspaper? After all, they need to be informed.
>  
> I note that those who produce newspapers, television, radio, etc., also
> use the same highways and the same phone system. Good infrastructure
> design unleashes free markets.
>

Another good point to bear in mind is that networking technologies are
"empowering" people to voice their opinions in a fashion previously
unknown. Once the "empowerment" issue is _really_ discovered by "the
masses" (tm), the need and desire for networking services will virtually
be driven by this simple factor. The cart and the horse.

Cheers,

_____________________________________________________________________________
Paul Ferguson                                                               
Mindbank Consulting Group                                    fergp@sytex.com   
Fairfax, Virginia  USA                                       ferguson@icp.net