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Technology Stocks : Novell (NOVL) dirt cheap, good buy? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Frederick Smart who wrote (27899)	8/26/1999 12:30:00 PM
From: PJ Strifas	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 42771

Not to get too political with you Fredrick, I have alot of respect for what you are saying but I have a few questions/worries. Perhaps this discussion would be better held in person where the medium would not become a factor in the presentation of my thoughts and where the free flow of discussion could be better played out. Well, please don't infer anything other than curiousity here :) I'm still learning :) Some questions: Individuals have power - does that equal anarchy? If not, then how so? Because don't we each become a world unto ourselves and therefore every man/women/child becomes an island whereby each of us creates/dictates rules involving the interaction of others to ourselves? How do I ensure isolation doesn't become a factor in my life since people will have to accept my rules (laws) to interact with me. This fact alone would alienate me from some people no? Doesn't that then close the scope of what I can do and with whom? Next question: Virtual tribes/kingdoms/communitites will all have some rules or protocols by which each entity (person) will need to adhere to. I mean what are tribes/groups other than several people agreeing to certain terms of civility et al. The word KINGDOM equates with an authoriative power that judges/rules subjects. So how who is going to write those rules? Who will enforce them? Will we substitute software/technology to do the enforcing of these rules (or laws take your pick of semantics) and if so, don't we have to trust the people who write the software (or create the technology), implement the software/technology and maintain it? Isn't that just re-inventing the wheel in the logical space of the Internet and if so, why would this be better? Different doesn't always equate to better unless in its practice, the new way proves that to be the case. Something we won't know until it's upon us. But I do share your enthusiasm and optimism that it will be better. I'm just not sure exactly HOW it will be better. Wouldn't EVOLUTION be a better form of change than revolution especially in the Internet arena since there are so many people who just don't get it? People react differently to radical change which upsets their "comfort" zone. Revolution is a necessity when the people are denied many liberties necessary in our civilized world today. We'd need to look outside our country for examples in the real world. Would we need a period of "fuedalism on the Internet" until most people found a place to call home? Would "colonies" sprout up with basic protocols (or laws) governing the interaction of those who agree (vote) to join? Again, in all these models, there needs to be authority figures and whether or not we substitute technology for people, we can't be assured of perfection. Just because technology may seem to give us control over various things doesn't mean it will. I only "gain control" because I have a certain degree of understanding/knowledge regarding the system on which that control is based. Without that, why would the average person in the world care/want to "revolutionize" things based on blind faith alone? Also, I feel that the same people who become involved with "government" or public service will also become involved with the same duties and responsibilities in the virtual world. In that sense, the revolution will only occur on the level at which it exists (virtual vs physical) and not in the same essence in which we would expect. What I'm wrestling with is the unanswered questions regarding the proposed revolution in power structure. The dynamic of public opinion unleashed can be as destructive a power as it can be an enlightening one. We have to be careful and mindful of all things. Peter J Strifas