nettime: Internet? (fwd)

[Geert Lovink <geert@xs4all.nl>]

Forwarded message:
From: Gert van Velzen <gert@nerf.xs4all.nl>
 
Contrast: praktiese regelzaken
-----------------------------

 
Internet?  It's much like technology generally, in my opinion.  Mostly
neutral: one can use it to oppress or to liberate, the technology doesn't
care.  The question is who controls it.  In this respect, the internet is
essentially like print, radio, TV, etc.  Right now the whole system, for
which the general public paid the costs, is being transferred to
unaccountable private power, in one of the greatest giveaways in history,
and virtually without media attention (big surprise!).  There's good work
on this by Bob McChesney, particularly, some coming out in an Open
Magazine pamphlet.  What can people do ? The usual. And if it isn't done
fast, and on a substantial scale, the robbery will have been consummated,
with grim consequences.
 
Noam Chomsky, in a letter to Michael Stec,  dated Jan. 13, 1997. 

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