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.

Licklider and Taylor’s vision in “The Computer as a Communication Device” imagined
 computers as tools for enhancing collaboration, which Usenet exemplifies by enabling
 knowledge sharing and discussions in a decentralized format. However, Usenet is more
 technical and less user-friendly than modern platforms like Facebook or Twitter, which
 better facilitate communication for the average user. They also did not anticipate the
 rise of these centralized platforms that dominate online discourse today. Furthermore,
 Licklider and Taylor overlooked challenges like spam, trolling, and misinformation
inherent in open networks like Usenet, leading to chaotic discussions and difficulties
 in managing abusive behavior, contrasting with their vision of constructive
 communication.