DIS-CONNECT. . . some thoughts about information control QUESTION: How do advanced aeronautics relate to human well-being? Does nuclear particle research adversely impact our society? RESPONSE: It's better not to consider these topics; they stir up controversy. Beware of idle speculation or non-prescribed ideologies. QUESTION: How is computer proliferation affecting personal privacy? Is power consumption somehow related to PCB toxicity? WARNING: These questions are forbidden. It appears your neural circuits aren't functioning properly. Return to a Government Reeducation Center for a systems diagnostic promptly. ACCESS TERMINATED. SCREEN EMPTY. Gunther: Woe to those who ask too much. Liao: Yeah. Questioning is usually tolerated only within limits. Nadya: Mmm . . . we're trained to be obedient from the cradle. Yet blind obedience is ultimately stupid. Isn't it good to question why many phenomena exist? Bill: Questioning is okay, but we we can understand only a small fraction of the questions. The world is simply too complex and our lifespans are too brief. For that reason, most of our "answers" are essentially expedients. They represent simplifications of phenomena that are inherently complex. Liao: Critical questioning might be annoying, but it is essential. Indeed, it's through questioning that many discoveries and innovations arise. Gunther: Every system has its thresholds. When societies are robust and healthy, lots of criticism and questioning is tolerated. However, under stress conformity is often demanded. As Quetelet notes, there's a mathematics to social processes. Bill: I find it fascinating how some dictators almost welcome stress: it gives them a chance to consolidate power – at least for a short term. Few dictators are far-sighted enough to realize power requires a broad base to be sustainable. Gus: (sighing) You guys are over my head . . . I feel disconnected from this pseudo-conversation. ===================================================================================== from _Cyberpoems: Exploring the Human-Machine Interface_ by T Newfields SUMMARY: An image of planet surrounded by textual information and discussion about information access, critical questioning, and government control. KEYWORDS: critical questioning, information access, open inquiry, Quetelet Author: T Newfields [Nitta Hirou / Huáng Yuèwǔ] (b. 1955 - ?) Begun: 1992 in Shizuoka, Japan / Finished: 2018 in Yokohama, Japan Creative Commons License: Attribution. {{CC-BY-4.0}} Granted < LAST http://www.tnewfields.info/CyberPoems/ditzy.htm TOC http://www.tnewfields.info/CyberPoems/index.html NEXT > http://www.tnewfields.info/CyberPoems/dm.htm TRANSLATIONS Chinese: http://www.tnewfields.info/zh/gie.htm French: http://www.tnewfields.info/fr/debra.htm German: http://www.tnewfields.info/de/tre.htm Japanese: http://www.tnewfields.info/jp/koushin.htm Spanish: http://www.tnewfields.info/es/des.htm