Article:
The Indirect Assault on the Online Public's Publishing Abilities
February 22, 2001
The world has never before seen an era of interconnectedness such as the present day. Cellular phones, overnight delivery, email, online chat communities, and personal web sites have opened a large percentage of the world to others’ ideas and conversations. These modes of communication have connected the Chiapas rebels of Mexico, the Buddhists of Tibet, and the Chinese Falun Gong (all groups that would have previously been persecuted in silence) with a receptive and inquisitive world. A local cause can suddenly become an international cause, due in large part to the immense penetration of our communications vehicles.
We are but a few mouse- and key–clicks away from publishing our ideas, our troubles, or our thoughts to a listening world, and this ability has given human rights groups, fledgling democracies, and persecuted individuals the chance to have their cries heard. Just as important is the chance to hear the voices of others, often squelched by mainstream media, and then network with others to react to these voices. However, a subtle shift in the way we access this communications web is occurring and has a dramatic impact on our ability to communicate openly.
At a recent keynote address, Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, made the intriguing statement: "We don't think the PC is dying at all... It's evolving." While this may not surprise many outside the technology sector, it is a declaration of defiance within the industry. IBM, Dell, Gateway, 3Com and others have all released Internet, or information, appliances over the past year. Many other manufacturers have announced plans for such devices. These units provide a seemingly useful function: provide Internet access and common functions (Web browsing and email) at a reduced price, due to an incredibly reduced feature set. So whereas Apple sees the personal computer evolving into a more powerful, feature-rich device, its market-dominating competitors see its evolution in terms of reduction.
There are, not surprisingly, two sides to this story.
On one hand, the proliferation of inexpensive communications devices will allow access to many previously unable to purchase their way into the digital economy. By reducing the complexity of the machines to the level of popular consumer electronics, the learning curve is also greatly reduced, long a major stepping stone for a technology-phobic public. Thus, the small price point and ease-of-use of these devices provides access to an incredibly large group of individuals formerly left behind.
But, the converse story is a bit troubling. By reducing the feature set, these appliances allow consumers to do only what the manufacturer has explicitly allowed. Gone are the chances for an information appliance owner to publish a web site on her device, as no such software and interface is included on the device. The user is basically left only with email to communicate a message to the external world.
There are certainly a myriad of options available that could keep the insidious angle of this phenomenon at bay. Web sites such as Blogger provide individuals with free online publishing tools; all you need is a Web browser and a keyboard and you’re able to publish your words to a free site. The option to post to newsgroups and discussion threads from within a Web browser exist as well. Email proves to be one of the strongest bonds in online communication, and nearly all Internet appliances offer some level of email functionality.
Despite these possibilities for maintaining a free public’s ability to communicate and publish information, these possibilities are but a paltry comparison to the existing methods existing to those with a personal computer. Equally concerning is the incredible reduction in service providers. The possibility exists that once AOL Time Warner controls the bulk of access, the government or a corporation could effectively bar a citizen from accessing and publishing online.
The impetus is upon those of us with options of publishing methods and a variety of access means. Keep pressure on lawmakers to ensure that legislation protects all citizens from corporate or government censorship. Keep pressure on manufacturers to continue producing machines that allow users to publish in multiple ways. And lastly, keep pressure on ourselves not to take for granted our liberty and freedom of press.