Re: CS-234 Discussion

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

This thread is intended for the students of CS-234: Technologies for democratic society
 
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?
 
Feel free to respond to comments made by your classmates as well.

Hi everyone,

I just want to say how much I love this platform. It would’ve been so cool
to have had something like this back in the day! It really is revolutionary
and brings to life the concepts discussed by Licklider and Taylor in "The
Computer as a Communication Device."

It fulfills their vision of using computers to connect people across
different locations and cultures! The asynchronous nature of discussions
allows for the sharing of ideas and collaboration, which is exactly what
they imagined as a tool to enhance communication. It democratizes access
to conversations, bringing people together in a virtual community without
the constraints of time or space.

However, one key difference is that Licklider and Taylor envisioned even
more seamless, real-time collaboration through computers—what we might now
see with video conferencing or cloud-based tools. Usenet, while innovative,
remains primarily text-based and is less interactive compared to their
dream of fully integrated, real-time communication platforms.

It’s amazing to see how some aspects of their vision evolved beyond their
imagination!

Looking forward to reading everyone’s thoughts on this :)

Best,
Helen