>come on hon, you know the
>most rabid net users can
>be very computer illerate.

True dat. But they are ahead of the folks who aren't online at all. I've fixed many a "broken" computer in my day...

>In terms of employment, it
>can be an asset if
>developed along with other more
>critical skills.

Typing alone can be useful in and of itself. It just depends on what kind of job and economy you are looking at.

>>Personally, I think it's (internet) a lot
>>like a cell phone. You don't need one, but
>>when you have it, you realize how useful it is.
>>(I"m cell phone free, though).
>
>True. Though, I'm finding that my
>cell is as much of
>a shackle as it is
>an asset - especially at
>work.

hence why i'm still shackle free.

>Computers & the net aren't used
>like any of the other
>gadgets you listed.

Primary usage of the net for most folks
- email
- chat rooms
- discussion boards

If folks can get hype over typing to each other on a motorola 2 way pager, I don't see a big jump between that and coming to Okayplayer. I don't expect to hit the club tomorrow, and folks are breaking out their visors and talking about open source, but it's really just a matter of time.

>They aren't social gathering
>points - like a tv/dvd/video
>game in the living room.

A phone isn't a people node either.

> Computers & the net
>require a different type of
>interaction, dont ya think.

It really depends on what you are doing with the computer. Playing Tetris/solitaire is a seemingly very enjoyable activity of my elders. Why I don't know. But my younger folks love them some playstation. Doing the same thing online is not a big step for them.

Chatting, discussion boards, is really a side step to those big 3 way caller sessions I used to do in high school.

Now if you're talking about hunting down drivers, warez, or learning to be an MSCE online, that's something else. Not many folks are ready for that, and the loners/outsiders in our community will probably be the first to tackle it.

>I think we do, but less
>& less as time goes
>on.

It's strange, but down here I've talked to some brothers who never question the things they do everyday, and i've talked to brothers who think outside the box. But i'm going to have to really collect my thoughts on it though.

>true but aren't we using our
>discretion in this area or
>do you believe that most
>of us just don't know
>better.

I'm not sure what it is. Changing out an alternator is tougher than putting together a computer. I don't think folks really know what is available. Or they get on and can't figure out what the hype is about. That's the main danger I see. Folks not realizing what they could do with access.

>When I didn't have
>the internet, i couldn't wait
>to get it, now sometimes
>I wish I didn't have
>it.

It's no longer a luxury for me. Any kind of economic decision I make now, is thoroughly researched. Maps, product reviews, history, music.. But I know with this respect I'm very much an anomaly, and a product of this town and my experience.

>I wouldn't have mine either.
>But many business in the
>new media industry are notoriously
>wasteful with unproductive workers.

Management's problem, not the net.

Right
>now the entire industry is
>on shaky foundation, and I
>think more layoffs are on
>the way.

It depends on where you are in the online world. If I was working at 360hiphop.com, and I was not an IT or CS person, I would be getting my portfolio together.


>The government is hiring the hacks.

No worse. the quasi/pseudo governments (multinational corporations) are hiring the hacks.

>The brightest "criminals" will always
>come up with new ways
>to skin a cat but
>most users wouldn't have the
>capacity to break into Fort
>Knox or the capacity to
>stop government/corporate intrusion & monitoring.

People adapt. Video cameras that catch speeders are notoriously effective. How come they aren't everywhere? The technology has existed since the last 60's, yet you only find them in a few places. It's a killer ap, definite money maker, yet unused.

>>But is this an actual concern of folks you know?
>
>Yeah, well atleast a lot of
>them my Godbody brethren.
>But I think they articulate
>concerns that a lot of
>us have.

Privacy is the #1 issue, as far as i'm concerned.

peace
k. orr

http://breddanansi.tumblr.com/