bei@dogface.austin.tx.us (Bob Izenberg) (06/29/91)
Here's a thread from the Electronic Frontier forum of the TELECOM
sig on CompuServe. The InfoWorld reporter doesn't have Usenet access, so
you may wish to mail your comments to him c/o CIS, in addition to any
discussion here:
76711.23@compuserve.com or uunet!compuserve.com!76711.23
[ beginning of CompuServe thread ]
#: 4770 S12/Electronic Frontier
28-Jun-91 11:24:54
Sb: #Haves and Have Nots?
Fm: David Coursey/InfoWorld 76711,23
To: ALL
I am working on a story which will touch on issues related to information
access in the future and would appreciate comments in a variety of areas.
1. How do we deal with the issues created by the growing need for information,
but the inability of poor people to afford access? Will we distribute "data
stamps" which could be redeemed for on-line access or database searches?
2. How do we bring the cost of information down to something more managable?
With a Nexis search costing $$$, how to we bring it down to $? What about
flat-rate CompuServe, with forum access (or $1-an-hour connect time)?
3. Do we need a policy of Universal Service for data, in which subsidies would
provide access to everyone, much as subsidies provided telephone service for
everyone?
Comments on this and related issues would be greatly appreciated.
David Coursey InfoWorld (214) 343-4742
There are 2 Replies.
#: 4783 S12/Electronic Frontier
28-Jun-91 23:56:36
Sb: #4770-Haves and Have Nots?
Fm: John S Wylie - Phila USA 72417,2604
To: David Coursey/InfoWorld 76711,23 (X)
David: That's a fascinating topic. When you speak of the growing NEED for
information, what types of information are you talking about? I like
Compuserve and regularly hand my hard earned money over to them<g>, but I would
not classify any of the info I get for personal use as a NEED. As a computer
consultant, I get information and software that I truly need, but when you
mention data stamps, etc. I presume you're speaking of the private individual's
need.
I'm one of those technical people who enjoys technology and earns a living at
it, but who thinks much of it is unnecessary, and some of it down right
harmful. Consider the TV. If all TVs ceased to work on 7/1/91, the world
would hardly come to an end. Nobody NEEDS a TV. The only thing TV offers
which I might classify as a need is news, but National Public Radio and the
newspapers do a better job of that anyway. People would also find much of the
time they say they don't have anymore. Consider fast food. If all you want is
junk, you can cook it very fast. I regularly make dinner in 10-15 minutes. I'm
a bachelor, and I certainly wouldn't invite company to eat those meals, but
they are balanced nutritious meals, they take less time than a trip to
McDonalds and back, and they taste better.
I guess what I'm trying to say here is that Madison Ave. has tried, with much
success, to train us to think of wants as needs. I'd think very carefully
before saying that we NEED something.
#: 4784 S12/Electronic Frontier
28-Jun-91 23:56:47
Sb: #4770-Haves and Have Nots?
Fm: John S Wylie - Phila USA 72417,2604
To: David Coursey/InfoWorld 76711,23 (X)
I also have several other pet peeves which aren't directly related to your
question, but perhaps are indirectly. They relate to the so called information
and service economies/ages which we supposedly live in. The implication is that
we will all be earning our livings passing data disks and french fries back and
forth. How will we buy from those who actually produce things we need, like
food, a roof over our heads, cars (although I would argue that we don't need as
many of those as some would say), trains, trolleys, etc.? Will people in Korea
really want to come over here and buy enough hamburgers at McDonalds, or disks
of information to pay for the goods we need but are no longer producing
ourselves? Granted, the economy will sustain a reasonable amout of business in
those areas, but the terms seem to be used to imply that we can get along just
fine without producing anything. I beg to differ.
I'd love to "talk" further on this topic, if you are interested, but right now,
according to my digital clock, it's 12:54 AM, so this curmudgeon is going to
ship this message off and go to bed.
Regards,
John
[ end of CompuServe thread ]
-- Bob
Opinions expressed in this message are those of its author, except where
messages by others are included with attribution.
Bob Izenberg [ ] bei@dogface.austin.tx.us
home: 512 346 7019 [ ] CIS: 76615.1413@compuserve.com