RE: Schelling Points, Rights, and Game Theory--Part II

[tcmay@got.net (Timothy C. May)]

At 11:51 PM 7/25/96, jbugden@smtplink.alis.ca wrote:

>The stats on the average internet user are usually something like 85% male,
>US$50K average income, 30-35 years old, Univeristy education.

I doubt the age figure, and would want to see confirmation before using it.
Certainly most people I deal with on the Net seem to be younger than 30-35,
though this may be a reasonable _average_ (if not _median_). But the rest
of the stats fit.

>It may come as no suprise then that Internet users as a group could have life
>experiences significantly different than a majority of the population.
>Similarily, their views may also be in the minority. On the other hand, they do
>hold a majority of the technological power.
>
>Revenge of the Nerds is one phrase that I have heard.

An old movie name, of course. And "Triumph of the Nerds" was the name of
the recent PBS/Mark Stevens program. (I hate the term "nerd," as I hate the
names "dweeb," "geek," "jerk," etc. Believe me, anyone who thinks being
called a "nerd" is complimentary, or anyone who labels himself as a "geek,"
is probably one who would call himself a "nigger," or a "queer.")

>tcmay@got.net wrote:
>>Even meant humorously (">;-)"), many of us would dispute the notion that >a
>voluntarily-taken job is a "McJob." Frankly, working at a fast-food place
>>is usually not a lifetime career, but is instead a [stepping stone]
>
>And what or who guarantees that this later, better job exists. Much of what I
>read today suggests that McJobs may become the norm for many.

"Guarantees"? You ask "what or who guarantees" a better job? I am speechless.

There are no guarantees, friend. Not in this reality. Jobs are not
something created by the stroke of a Presidential pen--jobs are what we
call the exchange of labor or brainpower for money or other considerations.
If Alice wants a new roof, and Bob offers to roof her house for a price she
think is reasonable, this is a "job" for Bob. And so on.

>Can you image working at a low paying job for your entire life. I personally
>can't. I work hard and am doing well for myself. Like most of those here,
>crypto
>would be a benefit for me. On the other hand, unlike most of the population, I
>could join Mensa if I applied. My point: I'm not average and I suspect that
>neither are you or most of those here. How do you make the cypherpunks agenda
>(on the days that there is one ;-) of widespread concern to the average
>citizen?

I don't, actually. As to "working at a low paying job...", it's a matter
for them to work out, perhaps by getting new skills, perhaps by working two
jobs, perhaps by opening a business. The statistics on where wealth was
created in the 1985-95 period show it overwhelmingly came from new
entrepreneurial efforts.



>I'm having a hell of a time getting my e-mail read because I'm too busy
>shooting
>at the food scavengers. They killed my dog!
>

????

Not a persuasive argument.

--Tim May

Boycott "Big Brother Inside" software!
We got computers, we're tapping phone lines, we know that that ain't allowed.
---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:---------:----
Timothy C. May              | Crypto Anarchy: encryption, digital money,
tcmay@got.net  408-728-0152 | anonymous networks, digital pseudonyms, zero
W.A.S.T.E.: Corralitos, CA  | knowledge, reputations, information markets,
Licensed Ontologist         | black markets, collapse of governments.
"National borders aren't even speed bumps on the information superhighway."