MCGRATH%OZ.AI.MIT.EDU@XX.LCS.MIT.EDU ("Jim McGrath") (03/11/86)
Could it be that the influence of vested interests in the national
debate warps the arguments we hear, thereby manipulating our
needs? Just think of all the optimistic articles that appear in
the newspaper and stories that appear on TV glorifying some new
technological development. Organizations with a large public
relations offices and a financial interest in positive public
perceptions of these technologies constantly vie for media
attention.
This is a tad bit too conspiratioial for my tastes. I think that the
major reason why people suspend their disbelief when it comes to
technology is that to most of them it is magic anyway. Given that
people are very optimistic in general, it is not surprizing to see
them jump on the bandwagon of any movement that promises more (of
anything good).
Witness the general belief in such things as astrology. There are no
Fortune-500 companies based on this stuff, but it gets good media
play all the same. Or many religions for that matter (no offenses
intended to any particular faith!).
Jim
-------