the dirt roads

Along the side of the internet superhighway I get a flat tire. It's a fortiutous little disruption from the information onslaught that has me trapped in this comfy civilization. It's a sunny afternoon and I decide to leave my vehicle and go for a walk. There's a meditative little hill not too far yonder and I brought a brought a snack. The fresh aire will do me good. From atop the hill I gaze upon the the roads and paths connecting the community networks of which I have become involved. Some of these are toll roads (corporate controlled), some are dirt paths, there's a big red light district and plenty of activity. Most of my experience with the internet happens so quickly, ever more immediate - it is hard to find the time to reflect upon where these relationships are headed - because at the moment it feels like there is no end it sight. In terms of a cultural legacy - we are all hooked up until the power goes out. And even then, alternative energy can support wifi and decentralized servers, so it's no time to turn our back.

Virtual communities lack so much of the substance of what makes life worth living. However, these networks can make real connections: connections that are realized in the real world. The computer's role is one of either a destination for relationships or a tool to facilitate them. The destination model leads to indulgence of the ego. The tool model incorporates partnership and altruistic exchange (thank you creative commons.) Smaller file sharing communities that exchange information through a p2p have a real chance to provide a viable cultural instrument , these are the dirt roads off the beaten path of the information superhighway.