Theos-Talk Archives (June 1999 Message tt00004)

Dear Dallas:

Initially it was research and education which drove Internet. Now it is
commerce that is the driving force. Of course there are attempts to
muzzle the new medium. But the medium is expected to become so
widespread that it would be politically difficult to use tax and other
means to prevent some from being able to use it. However I am confident
that Powers be know all about these too well and the welfare of Humanity
would be served in the long run.

I was thinking about the implications of Evernet. Already video images
can be transmitted live and long distance calls are made on the
Internet. Soon I will be able to see you on my screen and communicate
via voice and video. A side effect would be lack of privacy. You cannot
hide behind an assumed name and try to communicate. When I am
communicating, I can ask you to turn on your video camera so that I can
see you as I type and so I know whom I am talking to and put a face on
the name. You may not need to visit your doctor. He may be able to check
you remotely and even monitor your vital signs round the clock if need
be. As the population ages, and mobility is reduced as one grows older,
much can be accomplished without physical travel. Possibilities are
unlimited.

...doss




"W. Dallas TenBroeck" wrote on theos-talk:

> June 1st
>
> Dear Doss:
>
> I think you are quite right in this evaluation.
>
> Perhaps this will become one of the best mediums for the
> diffusion of great ideas -- and one that cannot be strangled
> by those who may have "special interests."
>
> I however note that there appears to be some government and
> business interests that desire to place fresh taxes or fees
> on Internet usage.   I think this matter ought to be made
> clear to those who use this, so that its freedom will not
> become financially or otherwise restricted.
>
> Apparently the increasing usage at very low cost of this
> franchise is now attracting the hungry glance of those who
> might derive special profits from its existence.  I believe
> that any evidence of such encroachment ought to be
> advertised so that the already formidable power of numbers
> may be used wisely to counterbalance such restrictive
> proposals.
>
> Both government and private interests ought to be carefully
> and persistently monitored.
>
> Dallas
>
>  Dallas TenBroeck
>   dalval@nwc.net
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: M K Ramadoss <ramadoss@eden.com>
> To: <theos-talk@theosophy.com>
> Sent: Monday, May 31, 1999 10:47 PM
> Subject: Theos-World "Evernet"
>
> > I saw a very fascinating TV program on Internet and the
> emerging
> > technology. Here are some of the bits of information that
> interested me.
> >
> > Firstly, Internet technology, the speaker was reminding
> everyone that it is
> > just 5 years old and all of us are aware of its impact in
> various fields.
> > Just in a short time, even China now has 8 million users.
> It is still in
> > its infancy and is expected to grow for the next 20 years.
> >
> > The underlying key factor is networking world that is
> being created. It is
> > fundamentally moving the power from *institutions* -
> business, government,
> > non-profit, spiritual, scientific - to the *individual*.
> Even here it is
> > still in its infancy.
> >
> > What we can look for in the immediate future is
> *Evernet* - an interactive
> > *Internet* which is on-line all the time. Today a typical
> users is online
> > for one hour a day. (TV audience has shown a reducing
> trend, possibly due
> > to use of Internet.) The Evernet is also going to be using
> broadband and
> > wireless. Broadband will speed transmission which will
> make it possible for
> > bi-directional audio and video and other innovations to be
> available to the
> > common man/woman. A key characteristic of a network type
> of medium is that
> > as people use it, they tend to use more and more of it.
> Just look at the
> > telephone communication and how its use has exponentially
> grown over the
> > years.
> >
> > Looking at the last major leap in communication
> technology - TV, it is
> > still a one-way tool, much like the other tools such as
> written material.
> > On the other hand, network based tools - Internet, and
> Evernet - are two
> > way tools - coupled with the transfer of power from
> institutions to
> > individuals. So institutions which controlled
> communication and transfer of
> > information for whatever reason - scientific, spiritual,
> political,
> > national security etc. etc. is going to have a tough time
> to adjust to the
> > changing  global environment on which they will have no
> control. It will be
> > a lot of fun watching all the institutional leaders trying
> to grapple with
> > the new environment, especially when many of them having
> grown up in
> > pre-computer era.
> >
> > What has all this have to deal with Theosophy and TS.
> Firstly,
> > Internet/Evernet is going to make access to all the
> written materials on
> > Ancient Wisdom readily accessible to anyone interested.
> And access will be
> > uncontrolled by institutional vested interests and
> gate-keepers, who may be
> > under the illusion that they are the custodians of Ancient
> Wisdom.
> > Secondly, it is going to provide global immediate
> person-to-person access
> > to help on a one on one basis again without any
> intermediary gate-keepers.
> > The latter will provide unlimited opportunities for anyone
> willing to spend
> > time and able to help in providing information.
> >
> > TS has not seen growth either in the membership or
> branches. It looks like,
> > with the technology that was available in 1875, it was
> essential to start
> > branches where those interested in Ancient Wisdom can meet
> and discuss etc.
> > In today's and tomorrow's environment, it may be
> unnecessary or even not
> > helpful. So the structures as we know it may not be
> appropriate for the
> > fundamental function of helping to spread theosophy. So if
> we seen
> > theosophical organizations put on life support, may be
> they have outlived
> > their usefulness and we have to accept the facts and not
> cry over the
> > natural events.
> >
> > We are all going to witness monumental changes in the
> world and I think it
> > is incumbent upon each one of us to use our own creativity
> and ingenuity to
> > find out ways and means of using the emerging technology
> to spread the
> > gospel of theosophy. Network technology with its inherent
> nature of
> > increased use as use increases, may be one day we will
> wake up to find some
> > of the theosophical doctrines common knowledge around the
> world.
> >
> > Mkr
> >
> > (C) M K Ramadoss


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