Re: CS-234 Discussion

CS234 <cs234@lhmerino.dont-email.me> wrote:

How does Usenet fit into the vision presented by Licklider and Taylor in
"The Computer as a Communication Device"?
 
Reflect on:
- Which aspects of their vision are realized through Usenet?
- What aspects have evolved differently from what they imagined?

Usenet led to the creation of communities based on interests rather than on
geographical proximity, with its forum system opened to everybody, anyone can
easily browse the categories and reach those that interest them.
It also allowed people to connect together and bring all their knowledge in
one place which makes learning more efficient and thus people become more
productive.

Usenet didn't allow unemployment to disappear, despite it's potential to
bring together employer and employee from all places. Technologies even
tend, sometimes, to replace human workers.
Licklider and Taylor also didn't imagine that connecting people through the
computers may lead to some use of the technology for selfish interests such
as advertising massivly which deteriorates the other user's experience.