Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2000 09:09:07 -0500
From: Weisberg weisberg@texoma.net
---------------------------------
ALERT!!!
A new Internet virus has been identified by someone seeking to be the
highest U.S. authority on the subject. The resulting condition has
been dubbed "Darkened Heart" (or, DH), and is characterized by a penchant for
wearing trench coats, reading neo-Nazi literature, building bombs and
shooting up schools. The rampage at Columbine is attributed to DH
(hence, to accessing the Internet).
New legislative proposals to fix perceived defects in the current
Internet system causing such disease should be introduced in late January.
In the mean time, citizens are urged to use extreme caution in allowing
Internet access by persons likely to be influenced by erroneous or
objectionable thoughts. And, governments are urged to institute
rigorous programs to scan Internet content for offending materials and review
Internet tools to determine if they may be used for improper purposes. The
safest policy remains "just say no." If in doubt as to your own resistance,
don't use the Internet. And, definitely, don't let children use it.
This alert does not apply to persons who have been inoculated against
wrong thinking and questionable behavior. Such persons are encouraged
to continue their safe use of the Internet, especially in furtherance
of proper political goals. The heart condition from which they are more
likely to suffer, Hardening-of-the-Heart (HOTH), is not a variant of the
virus which is the subject of this alert. Indeed, there are some who argue
that HOTH may be ameliorated through "liberal" exposure to the Internet.
Please pass this alert on to others who may be exposed to the risk of DH.
One should look closely at the free speech implications of in any way restricting linking. A link to copyrighted / objecionable / illegal material is simply a referral, or an expression of knowledge of this material's location. Would one be held accountable for prostitution for pointing out where the red light district is, or for drug dealing by pointing out where the crackhouse on the next block is? What comes next, making it a crime to simply know where this material resides?
Slashdot Mirror
Seen on a mailing list this a.m.
Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2000 09:09:07 -0500
From: Weisberg weisberg@texoma.net
---------------------------------
ALERT!!!
A new Internet virus has been identified by someone seeking to be the highest U.S. authority on the subject. The resulting condition has been dubbed "Darkened Heart" (or, DH), and is characterized by a penchant for wearing trench coats, reading neo-Nazi literature, building bombs and shooting up schools. The rampage at Columbine is attributed to DH (hence, to accessing the Internet). New legislative proposals to fix perceived defects in the current Internet system causing such disease should be introduced in late January. In the mean time, citizens are urged to use extreme caution in allowing Internet access by persons likely to be influenced by erroneous or objectionable thoughts. And, governments are urged to institute rigorous programs to scan Internet content for offending materials and review Internet tools to determine if they may be used for improper purposes. The safest policy remains "just say no." If in doubt as to your own resistance, don't use the Internet. And, definitely, don't let children use it. This alert does not apply to persons who have been inoculated against wrong thinking and questionable behavior. Such persons are encouraged to continue their safe use of the Internet, especially in furtherance of proper political goals. The heart condition from which they are more likely to suffer, Hardening-of-the-Heart (HOTH), is not a variant of the virus which is the subject of this alert. Indeed, there are some who argue that HOTH may be ameliorated through "liberal" exposure to the Internet. Please pass this alert on to others who may be exposed to the risk of DH.
One should look closely at the free speech implications of in any way restricting linking. A link to copyrighted / objecionable / illegal material is simply a referral, or an expression of knowledge of this material's location. Would one be held accountable for prostitution for pointing out where the red light district is, or for drug dealing by pointing out where the crackhouse on the next block is? What comes next, making it a crime to simply know where this material resides?