Three years ago I blogged that I had published an essay by that title (that blog post reproduces the artwork that was the inspiration). I never got a single comment about the essay, probably because the collection in which it appeared did not get much circulation or publicity. Recently Peter Neumann came across the essay and loved it so much that he included a micro-review in his RISKS newsletter. Peter's post links off to a copy of the essay -- I like it too, and like much of the material in Blown to Bits, it seems remarkably fresh today (the essay is based on a lecture I gave in my now-defunct Bits course five years ago).
Bosch was a member of a very conservative religious group, so if he lived today, he might have been one of those internet flamers! It's unfortunate that he left no record of his thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThe internet "delights" which are harmful more so have to do with temptations of connectivity, such that in worst-case scenarios people are dangerous on the roads, and otherwise the engagement with everyday offline reality and relationships can be impaired.
I fully agree that there are few categories of internet restriction or monitoring which are not profoundly problematic in their implications, although I can empathize with those who would like to delete themselves from search histories, as it's so easy to have one's job prospects or reputation negatively impacted by actions which were by no means nefarious. With some employers now demanding Facebook passwords of applicants, even absence from searches might not be sufficient protection.
Isn't it ironic that Evelynn Hammonds edited your essay!