Sean Roach <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> Nature of the beast. You "create" something, and you feel that you should
> decide how it's used. If you "create" a podium, and someone steps up and
> gives a speach that is diametrically opposed to what you stand for, or even
> slightly different, you're going to want to find some way to keep that
> individual off of Your podium.
There's another very similar aspect to it. If you make something and
other people use it in a way other than you intended, you may not be
interested in controlling how it's used, but you may be interested in
not being blamed for how it is used. If you make something like
Freenet and years later people are using it to ship contraband
information (e.g. child porn, you may just want to avoid the political
backlash of people trying to blame you for "corrupting the youth of
Athens," as it were.
I don't think that's what this guy is doing, though. I think you hit
it right on.
> Doesn't make it right, nor, thankfully, practical.
>
> As regards Petro's response to same.
> Read up on the history of the U.S.A., and U.K.
> Unless I've misinterpreted, slaves were forbidden to learn to read in the U.S.
I think that was restricted by state, but as a practical manner it was
either banned or frowned upon. I'm reminded of a recurring theme in
fiction concerning people worshipping gods based on some holy text
which is in a language only the high priest and those he designates
can read. When someone from the outside comes and can read the
language, they all discover that it says something totally different
and either the priests didn't know, or they were just manipulating the
citizenry.
> Native Americans were made to give up thier traditions in favor of
> "civilized" customs.
> And the Irish were similary denied the ability to read, or to play thier
> traditional music. (Bards tended to sing songs counter to the english
> policies.) Last I heard, the bagpipe was still considered a weapon.
Stop! Stop or I shall yell stop again and squeeze my bagpipe!
> If I heard right, It became illegal to speak Scottish Gaelic, for a time.
>
> Interestingly enough, all happened for the same reason. To suppress
> opposition to the ruling class.
Points taken.
