MGB@SLACVM.BITNET (12/20/89)
In reading the analogies pertaining to the AIDS Virus, I could not help but be struck by some parallels between the computer virus and the actual virus. First, like AIDS, some people are struck down very quickly while for others there is a long incubation process. Second, once you find out that you have it, you must be prepared to spend large sums of money to combat it on a recurring basis. Third, lots of warnings are given about the virus, what will happen if you utilize the disk (engage in risk behavior) but many people ignore these warnings and are thus infected. Fourth, the Virus comes from Africa, the probable birthplace of the actual AIDS virus. Fifth, there is no guarantee that paying your money will produce a cure, or that one cure actually exists (tailoring vaccine to specific machines/people). Sixth, the hysteria surrounding the VIRUS is both making people more aware of viruses in general and prompting much research into finding a way to decrypt the initiating factor. Seventh, there seems to be more we don't know about the Virus than we do know. The initial effects have been diagnosed and a remedy for the symptoms found but long term effects are still unknown. Perhaps I am seeing too much in this, but given the enormous outlay of both time, energy and money that someone went through; perhaps the perpetrators of this virus are attempting to give us all a non-lethal lesson as to what the real virus AIDS is all about. I am not justifying their actions but I just can't help but wonder if that lesson is what all this is all about. It would, to me, clarify the use of AIDS Information as the method of transmission. Comments, anyone