Re: centrally planned economy

[m-14970@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Hugh Rodwell)]

Jon Beasley-Murray wrote:
>
>> In any case,
>> however, not all computer networks and systems are top-down--isn't this
>> meant to be the glory (if perhaps also the weakness) of the internet that
>> it is *not* in fact centrally planned?

To which Louis provocatively replied:

>Exactly correct. The Internet is the embryonic form of a 21st
>century socialism. Don't anybody dare argue with me on this.

This is nonsense. Unless he means by 'embryonic' something like the following:

The internet is yet another example of new forms of interaction at odds
with the capitalist mode of production yet developing behind its back. As
long as the infrastructure is provided and exploited by monopoly capital
interests for profit or imperialist states for subjugating either each
other or the working class, the internet will remain democratically opaque
and ideologically ambivalent, like all technology.

Also, what's the difference between laissez-faire capitalism -- each
pursues his own, and it all works out for the common best -- and 'embryonic
socialism' as far as the net is concerned?

Also, where does production come into it?

Cheers,

Hugh




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