I see the current situation as containing enormous potentials for expanding domains and extents of freedom but also as fraught with harrowing dangers. Just at the time when it appears to many that we are stalled politically, the limits of what can be done are in my view broadly expanded.
We can’t let the term “community” be limited to its earlier (humanist) meanings … I don’t think the “alienation” of one-way media will evaporate but that a slow cultural transformation is in process, one that is very profound and which we need to comprehend if we are to participate in it in a political way.
The concept of community is connected with assumptions of face-to-face interactions and leaves little room for electronic forms of conviviality. Internet associations will, I believe, claim more and more of our energy and commitment until the point when the refusal of the term community becomes silly. As you say, these commitments take away from other activities, though I suspect mostly from television watching. Nonetheless Internet associations are competitive with all forms of sociability.
New and unrecognizable modes of community are in the process of formation, and it is difficult to discern exactly how these will contribute to or detract from postmodern politics.
What the Internet can do is act as a bridge along the way, but this type of communication will probably never take the place of face-to-face meetings. It’s much easier to speak to people when you can see how they’re reacting.
Life in the real world is far more interesting, far more important, far richer, than anything you’ll ever find on a computer screen.
Have computers become “geekfree,” or have we all become geeks?
Business on the Net are going to be based on these electronic communities, and the forum moderators are absolutely crucial to building them.
Does the hacker ethic reflect a growing force in society that stands for greater sharing of resources and information – a reaffirmation of basic values in our constitution and laws? It is important that we examine the differences between the standards of hackers, systems managers, users, and the public. These differences may represent breakdowns in current practices, and may present new opportunities to design better policies and mechanisms for making computer resources and information more widely available.
“For a good time, get online” may soon replace the more familiar graffiti scribbled in bathroom stalls around the world.