Who Controls the Internet?
Norman Solomon did an interesting study. He scanned
all news stories for references to "electronic
commerce" and "information superhighway". Here is
his counts over the last few years:
Information Hwy electronic commerce
--------------- --------------------
1995 4562 915
1996 2370 1662
1997 1314 2812
1998 945 6403
1999 842 20641
This says the focus of the net is now commerce.
As this trend increases i expect to see commercial
influences and lobbying appearing just about
everywhere. Information will pick up a commercial
bias over time and we may have to be more selective
in use of the web and discussion lists.
Any old timers remember the original
net full of academics and technology hacks?
jeff
