Perhaps I'm over simplifying the issue, but in my opinion community is singular in its representation. The communities that I'm apart of virutally either mirror or complement those that I'm apart of offline. In both mediums can be found corporate footprints to varying degrees. However, one aspect of virtual community is that it allows individuals to circumvent those human elements that would otherwise prevent them from participating offline. I would argue that this aspect is beneficial in that it provides a sense of community where noe existed before. What could be bad about that.
Also, is the cost of access is no more unrealistic than the cost of access to any other trapping of Western society. I mean, I'd love to join the local Country Club, as it has the best conditions in which I can partake in the sport of Golf and thereby be a part of the Golfing Community; within which I've made several good friends. Unfortunately, the cost of such a membership is far out of my range. Of course, no one ever argued that Contry Clubs (or Golf, for that matter) would change the world, so I'm not sure the comparison is valid.
Basically, I think Mr. Lockard should lighten up and perhaps under-intellectualize the topic.
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Perhaps I'm over simplifying the issue, but in my opinion community is singular in its representation. The communities that I'm apart of virutally either mirror or complement those that I'm apart of offline. In both mediums can be found corporate footprints to varying degrees. However, one aspect of virtual community is that it allows individuals to circumvent those human elements that would otherwise prevent them from participating offline. I would argue that this aspect is beneficial in that it provides a sense of community where noe existed before. What could be bad about that.
Also, is the cost of access is no more unrealistic than the cost of access to any other trapping of Western society. I mean, I'd love to join the local Country Club, as it has the best conditions in which I can partake in the sport of Golf and thereby be a part of the Golfing Community; within which I've made several good friends. Unfortunately, the cost of such a membership is far out of my range. Of course, no one ever argued that Contry Clubs (or Golf, for that matter) would change the world, so I'm not sure the comparison is valid.
Basically, I think Mr. Lockard should lighten up and perhaps under-intellectualize the topic.
Note: Shipping to Canada is $10 US extra bringing the grand total to $15.90 US dollars.