Western Governers
University - Here is the site that links to the pages delineating the
planned development of an interstate "virtual university" sponsored by an
association of governors of western states who call themselves the "Smart
States." It seems the brave new world of a happy academic future totally
free of cumbersome human interaction is at the virtual door, and I for
one, don't especially like it. Surf to this site and behold the future
and see the educational Frankenstein's monster being birthed in the holy
name of efficiency and economic viability -- then come back here, hit the
technorealism manifesto and
try to split the difference in your own mind.
Cyberspace Law
and Policy - This is a good site to begin a search to find out about
fair use of materials from the web. It is part of the UCLA Online
Institute for Cyberspace Law and Polity that publishes a weekly email
bulletin on cyberspace law.
Paul
Soderdahl's INFRINGOMETER at the University of Iowa -- a delightful
document that aids the photocopier of copyrighted text in determining the
extent of the potential infringement of law. It's fun to read the rules of
thumb as they are presented here.
Critical Looks at the Media:
The Technorealism
Manifesto -- an attempt to view the internet neither as angel nor as
devil, at the same time emphasizing the need for wired humans to learn how
to live in community and practice social responsibility and ethical
behavior.
The Project McLuhan
Newsletter - a
monthly newsletter devoted to debunking the media and observing internet
developments. Project McLuhan is operated by the Center For Media
Sciences, a non-profit and charitable organization under
Canadian law.
Kroker Links - Here is a
collection of links to things published on the net by Canadian futurist
Arthur
Kroker. He was a prof of my friend Helga's when she was at the U of
Winnipeg scads of years ago, and she has followed his writings ever
since. I recommend his "Panic Encyclopedia" to anyone with the range of
vocabulary, sense of irony and millenial angst to enjoy it.
FCC Chairman Reed Hundt
is anxious to hear your comments about children's television programming!
The "Electronic Democracy" - a
view of the future of the internet and the public interest by Jerry Landay
If you would like "Conspiracy Nation" sent to your e-mail
address, send a message in the form "subscribe conspire My Name"
to
listproc@prairienet.org
Desperately
Seeking Adolf - this is an article about one author's quest to find
out who gets royalties paid out for publishing Hitler's _Mein Kampf_. I
found it good reading, so here's the link! Check out the other book
reviews in that part of cyberspace, too.
Elshtain on
Augustine - An interview that appeared in Our Sunday
Visitor May 19, 1996 that features Jean Bethke Elshtain's views on
the future of democracy in America and lessons we should learn from St.
Augustine.