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How Osama bin Laden resembles Napster
> In the course of pondering the recent terrorist attacks on American
> targets, I realized that it signifies an important shift in the behavior of
> people within world civilization. This shift has been away from large
> centralized structures towards smaller, increasingly autonomous (but
> interconnected) structures. An interesting thing about this shift is that,
> in terms of progress, it's almost counterintuitive.
>
the post-centralized world and how Osama bin Laden resembles Napster [1]
The Gus [2] is on to something here—there does seem to be a paradigm shift
(if I may be excused for using such a term) going on.
Years ago, as a kid, I couldn't see myself living anyplace where I couldn't
receive TV (Television). Of course, growing up I was spoiled by living
between the two major television markets of Miami and West Palm Beach, so I
got two of ABC, (American Broadcasting Company) [3] two NBC, (National
Broadcasting Company) [4] two of CBS, (Columbia Broadcasting System) [5] two
PBS (Public Broadcasting System) [6] and a host of independant stations, for
a total of maybe 20 broadcasting stations. TV. (Television) I needed my TV.
Now, however, I no longer really watch TV, but now I can't see living
anywhere without Internet access.
But if Osama bin Laden can conduct highly effective terrorist activities from
a place like Afghanistan, (Limbs of no body: World's indifference to the
Afghan tradedy [must read]) [7] then maybe, just maybe, the world is slowly
decentralizing and the need for cities is lessened. And like The Gus, I can
only hope “that there are more overwhelmingly more people interested in
trading music than in killing themselves as a means to injure the Great
Satan.”
[1]
http://www.spies.com/~gus/ran/0109/010918.htm
[2]
http://www.spies.com/~gus/
[3]
http://www.abc.com/
[4]
http://www.nbc.com/
[5]
http://www.cbs.com/
[6]
http://www.pbs.org/
[7]
http://www.iranian.com/Opinion/2001/June/Afghan/index.html
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