Re: Politics, Religion, MUDs, MOOs, the Internet, the Past, and the Future

[sdw@meaddata.com (Stephen Williams)]

> 
> Here is some cogent text from James Burke, a guy right at the top of my
> `man-I-wish-I-was-that-smart' list.  He is noted for his television series
> "Connections", "The Day the Universe Changed", "Tomorrow's World", and "The
> Burke Special".

I agree...  Great shows, my favorites.  Should be required in school.

...
>   *** the first sentence from the Preface ***
> 
> You are what you know.
> 
>   *** the last five paragraphs in the book ***
> 
...
> Such a system would permit a type of `balanced anarchy' in which all
> interests could be represented in a continuous reappraisal of the social
> requirements for knowledge, and the value judgements to be applied in
> directing the search for that knowledge.  The view that this would endanger
> the position of the expert by imposing on his work the judgement of the
> layman ignores the fact that science has always been the product of social
> needs, counscioulsy expressed or not.  Science may well be a vital part of
> human endeavour, but for it to retain the privilege which it has gained
> over centuries of being in some measure unaccountable, would be to render
> both science itself and society a disservice.  It is time that knowledge
> became more accessible to those to whom it properly belongs.
> 
>   *** end of quoted material ***

I'm left wondering what exactly he was envisioning with this.  Any
thoughts?

sdw
-- 
Stephen D. Williams  Local Internet Gateway Co.; SDW Systems 513 496-5223APager
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