[IP] Re: Internet Is Bad For You - The Daily Beast

[David Farber <dave@farber.net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Lauren Weinstein <lauren@vortex.com>
Date: January 3, 2009 11:55:30 AM EST
To: David Farber <dave@farber.net>
Cc: ip <ip@v2.listbox.com>
Subject: Re: [IP] Internet Is Bad For You - The Daily Beast


Dave,

The argument that universal, "unfiltered" and "unedited" Internet
access in the current financial environment could lead to 1930s-style
fascism and/or similar catastrophes, is so utterly inane that I have
difficulty believing that Keen is serious with that pronouncement.
The Internet has no monopoly on hate -- apparently Andrew hasn't spent
time listening to much of the talk radio spectrum lately.

His emphasis on the unfiltered nature of Internet content suggests
that perhaps his real agenda is pushing for attempts at
government-mandated Internet content controls -- extremely disruptive,
ultimately ineffective, but obviously much more in line with the
thinking of many misinformed politicos who are terrified by the
open exchange of information empowered by Internet technology.

It is precisely the control over information sources that is a key
*foundation* of oppressive governments throughout human history.

Thanks much for passing along the link to this item.  It's important  
that
we all are kept aware of the sorts of pap being peddled by the panderers
of panic.

--Lauren--
Lauren Weinstein
lauren@vortex.com or lauren@pfir.org
Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800
http://www.pfir.org/lauren
Co-Founder, PFIR
  - People For Internet Responsibility - http://www.pfir.org
Co-Founder, NNSquad
  - Network Neutrality Squad - http://www.nnsquad.org
Founder, PRIVACY Forum - http://www.vortex.com
Member, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
Lauren's Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com

- - -

On 01/03 04:31, David Farber wrote:
> http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-12-19/the-internet-is-bad-for-you
>
> "Can Obama's plan for universal broadband turn the recession into a
> political nightmare resembling the 1930s? Yes, it can, writes the  
> author
> of the controversial book, The Cult of the Amateur."
>
>
> -------------------------------------------




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