[news.admin] Hypertext News

lampman@heurikon.UUCP (Ray Lampman) (08/19/88)

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I see the forshadows of Hypertext News ...
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In article <283@execu.UUCP> dewey@execu.UUCP (Dewey Henize) writes:
| Another possibility would be archiving ... It would seem that having
| the actual stuff available so that references could be made might have
| an impact on a few of the more legalistic flames. At least, if someone
| claimed a Supreme Court decision in support or opposition of an argument,
| there would be a way to get the definitive quote!
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An archive of Supreme Court decisions ...
To be used in support or opposition of arguments ...
This is a GREAT idea! Possibly ahead of its time.
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Hypertext:

If this is truly a great idea, why limit the archive to only Supreme
Court decisions? Why not amass the complete body of knowledge as we know
it, complete with cross references, supporting arguments, and decenting
opinions? This body of knowledge could have far reaching effects on aspects
of public debate and official policy. Why limit the system to impacting on
only a few of the more legalistic flames on usenet? Why not go for broke?
Of course we'd need a small pilot system to prove feasibility.

Why bother:

A potential problem in any rapidly evolving technological society is the
formation of invalid official policies based on wide spread misinformation.
Communication of correct information is the insurance against this problem.
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An archive of publications for easy reference is an idea that is possibly
ahead of its time. But time has a way of catching up with everything.
-- 
I am seriously considering a career on  | Ray Lampman (608) 276-3431
the beach. I'll need a microwave modem, | Madison Wisconsin USA Earth
solar power supply, and a little shade. | {husc6,rutgers}!uwvax!heurikon!lampman