Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Pastimes : A New Era - Consider the Possibilities -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Mike McFarland who wrote (4)	11/24/1997 6:39:00 PM
From: greenspirit	Respond to of 272

Ok Mike, I'll bite :-) I live in a relatively small community and our local library stinks. The books I usually want are not there or out of stock. Now the Internet for instance...ahhhhh. I'm taking college classes and whenever I need to do a report on a topic, 30 minutes of surfing brings me more information that I can digest. What's my point? If you live near a metropolitan area where the libraries are vast and for the most part underused. (like Seattle) I would tend to agree. But if you live in a more rural area, where your local library is a small one room place. I would disagree. You need to visit, Port Gamble more often. All the world doesn't live in Seattle you know. :-) This is where the Internet will see it's greatest effective change. Places throughout the world, unable (do to geographic constraints) to reach the masses of knowledge mankind holds. Will now reach it via the Internet. The freeing of billions of minds will have a very profound effect on mankind. Much more so than the industrial revolution. By the way...I love the Library at the University of Washington. Unfortunatly, you seattlites won't pay for one like it over on the pennisula <gg> Michael p.s. If only we had a bridge though ?? :-)

To: Mike McFarland who wrote (4)	11/24/1997 6:46:00 PM
From: Carol	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 272

<<The greatest repository of useful information may still be your local public library>> Yes, maybe for the Third World countries, but not for the rest of the world, we are living in the computer age, it will only get bigger and better. That is, if Bill Gates has anything to do with it, which I'm sure he will... Okay, I nibbled, now hit me with your refreshing anecedote...;-)) Regards Carol

To: Mike McFarland who wrote (4)	11/25/1997 5:04:00 PM
From: Road Walker	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 272

Barry, I'm really going to enjoy reading this thread, THANKS. Mike, re: The vast majority of the planet's population are not communicating outside of their local village...and even if they had the capability to do so...they would probably have little to say besides, "we had a big storm..." or "the rice is growing well this season" or "my dog has fleas" I don't think that what "they have to say" is entirely the point, but also what they can learn and become. I have often wondered how many potential Michael Jordans there are in countries that don't play basketball, how many Tiger Woods in communities not exposed to golf, how many Walter Paytons where they don't play football. If PC technology and the internet were to provide the potential to educate the (my guess) 80% of the world population that doesn't currently have the opportunity for the best education, how many great leaders, scientists and artists might be uncovered? Could the internet eventually be a tool to increase the creative human potential of the world population that now goes wasted? Just a thought, John