Wednesday, December 03, 2003
Another take on Smart Networks and Stupid
I don't know Brian at bmoeasy, but thanks to Doc and Jorge Ortiz I found this, which says, in part:
UPDATE: Brian writes, "I don't know if I'm the guy on the right or the guy on the left."
Brian shouldn't give up on stupid networks just because thinking is difficult or painful. More and more of the intelligence will be in the *devices* at the edge of the network. The user will still be able to watch mind-numbing content without thinking about it. If he wants to. He'll also be able to get more enlightening input if he wishes. The important thing that makes a stupid network better is that the choice will be entirely his, not the network provider's. Is choice painful? Again, don't give up -- if there's a market for it, somebody will write software to make your choices for you.
In the future - say, this afternoon - the stupid network will be peopled exclusively with bright people and the smart network will be peopled exclusively with stupid people. *snip* I am of the stupid. And I love a good hierarchy. I really don't like to think for myself. Turn the key and go. I like that. I'm lazy and stupid. Tell me what to do. I'm a good soldier. I'm not proud of that, I'm just saying. I just like to get from point A to wherever without thinking about it. "Here's a picture of Brian, courtesy of The New Yorker:
UPDATE: Brian writes, "I don't know if I'm the guy on the right or the guy on the left."
Brian shouldn't give up on stupid networks just because thinking is difficult or painful. More and more of the intelligence will be in the *devices* at the edge of the network. The user will still be able to watch mind-numbing content without thinking about it. If he wants to. He'll also be able to get more enlightening input if he wishes. The important thing that makes a stupid network better is that the choice will be entirely his, not the network provider's. Is choice painful? Again, don't give up -- if there's a market for it, somebody will write software to make your choices for you.
Comments:
Post a Comment
