I started as an arcade game freak in the 80's but gradually became more and more disillusioned as time passed. What I found was the replacement of creativity, imagination, and planning with graphics, sound, and simplicity. In other words, the substitution of art with technology.
The ULTIMA series exemplifies this. I acknowledge that a certain amount of processing and grunt power is needed to provide the visual and aural stimulation to the mind. That is why Ultima 1 and 2 are creative gems, but somehow incomplete. Ultima 3, 4, and 5 are great works of art. They will be recognised in a future age as such. The decline sets in with 6 and 7, and then they become little more than eye candy and ear floss. Technology over-ruling creativity.
I mean, receiving a message from a total unknown, with a scrambled email address, and selling some dream get-rich scheme or fulfilment to life - do people fall for it? Surely life has taught them more.
As for a solution, I read somewhere that SPAM could possibly account for one half of all internet traffic. If this figure is anywhere near accurate, then charging for data flow is one answer.
The US, Europe, and Australia can stay ahead by inventing and mastering new industries. This is the "knowledge gap" that we have had up to now in the sciences and technology. But things are changing. The Asian nations have shown their skill in imitation, and are now plowing ahead in the biotech field. The West must keep open, and keep plowing forward.
As to the Chinese government only using local software - surely sovereign nations have the right to determine internal bureaucratic standards? There's no right or wrong here, and the WTO should stay out of any protectionist argument that arises.
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I started as an arcade game freak in the 80's but gradually became more and more disillusioned as time passed. What I found was the replacement of creativity, imagination, and planning with graphics, sound, and simplicity. In other words, the substitution of art with technology.
The ULTIMA series exemplifies this. I acknowledge that a certain amount of processing and grunt power is needed to provide the visual and aural stimulation to the mind. That is why Ultima 1 and 2 are creative gems, but somehow incomplete. Ultima 3, 4, and 5 are great works of art. They will be recognised in a future age as such. The decline sets in with 6 and 7, and then they become little more than eye candy and ear floss. Technology over-ruling creativity.
I still wonder though ... Who eats SPAM?
I mean, receiving a message from a total unknown, with a scrambled email address, and selling some dream get-rich scheme or fulfilment to life - do people fall for it? Surely life has taught them more.
As for a solution, I read somewhere that SPAM could possibly account for one half of all internet traffic. If this figure is anywhere near accurate, then charging for data flow is one answer.
The US, Europe, and Australia can stay ahead by inventing and mastering new industries. This is the "knowledge gap" that we have had up to now in the sciences and technology. But things are changing. The Asian nations have shown their skill in imitation, and are now plowing ahead in the biotech field. The West must keep open, and keep plowing forward.
As to the Chinese government only using local software - surely sovereign nations have the right to determine internal bureaucratic standards? There's no right or wrong here, and the WTO should stay out of any protectionist argument that arises.