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Jul. 6th, 2004 05:39 pmAs I wandered around the Internet last night, something nasty crawled out of it and took control of my browser. Now, not only does the browser point regularly at some stupid porn site or other, but even when I key in addresses I want, it from time to time forces me onto one of its porn sites anyway. It even happened when I was trying to access one of my own e-mail accounts.
Oh, I know. Old story. Happens to everyone. But it gave rise to a few thoughts. Why is it that spammers and virus-mongers are so peculiarly odious? At least, I find them so. The answer, I think, is that the relationship between users, their computers, and the internet, is something so personal that to interfere with it is like stealing the user's own voice or hands, meddling with their ability to express themselves and to relate with the world outside. This is why I, and, from what I hear, everyone else on the Internet, hates spammers with a deep hatred. And not only is the crime vile and personal, but it is also cowardly in the extreme. While a mugger or a bad boss are seen face to face, perform their vicious actions in person, and can be blamed as persons, most of us will never have the opportunity to personally thank the person who corrupted our browser or our computer systems as they deserve, with spittle in the face or a knee in the groin. The filth hide in cyberspace - or, more prosaically, in anonymous offices and private rooms in the four corners of the earth; and I have had my ability to interact with my fellow users damaged because of the stupid uncouth greed of some little moron who is probably on another continent.
It is self-destructive, too. The Internet relies for its own cohestion on all users, even if they hate each other like poison or lust for each other's money, to accept minimum standards of behaviour. Most people do; I myself, though I regard a certain member of Fiction Alley website as no better than a scoundrel and a liar, would not even think of using a virus against her, because there is immeasurably more to be lost in making the Internet dangerous for all users - even crooks - than in keeping it open for everyone. I feel certain that the number of spammers is small, even minuscule, and yet the action of perhaps, a few hundred greedy or mischievous pond scum pollute the whole on-line world and make the whole experience of netsurfing as safe as walking in a bed of snakes. As Jack Kirby said, "in a nest of snakes, nothing can survive. Ultimately, all the snakes kill each other. Ultimately, they also kill whatever gave them birth in the first place." It seems to me that the Internet is uncomfortably closer to this situation than we like to think.
OK, now for today's piece of writing. This one is about Marvel Comics' mutant mythology, and could mildly be described as controversial. If you are an X-MEN fan, stop reading right now.
( Read more... )
Oh, I know. Old story. Happens to everyone. But it gave rise to a few thoughts. Why is it that spammers and virus-mongers are so peculiarly odious? At least, I find them so. The answer, I think, is that the relationship between users, their computers, and the internet, is something so personal that to interfere with it is like stealing the user's own voice or hands, meddling with their ability to express themselves and to relate with the world outside. This is why I, and, from what I hear, everyone else on the Internet, hates spammers with a deep hatred. And not only is the crime vile and personal, but it is also cowardly in the extreme. While a mugger or a bad boss are seen face to face, perform their vicious actions in person, and can be blamed as persons, most of us will never have the opportunity to personally thank the person who corrupted our browser or our computer systems as they deserve, with spittle in the face or a knee in the groin. The filth hide in cyberspace - or, more prosaically, in anonymous offices and private rooms in the four corners of the earth; and I have had my ability to interact with my fellow users damaged because of the stupid uncouth greed of some little moron who is probably on another continent.
It is self-destructive, too. The Internet relies for its own cohestion on all users, even if they hate each other like poison or lust for each other's money, to accept minimum standards of behaviour. Most people do; I myself, though I regard a certain member of Fiction Alley website as no better than a scoundrel and a liar, would not even think of using a virus against her, because there is immeasurably more to be lost in making the Internet dangerous for all users - even crooks - than in keeping it open for everyone. I feel certain that the number of spammers is small, even minuscule, and yet the action of perhaps, a few hundred greedy or mischievous pond scum pollute the whole on-line world and make the whole experience of netsurfing as safe as walking in a bed of snakes. As Jack Kirby said, "in a nest of snakes, nothing can survive. Ultimately, all the snakes kill each other. Ultimately, they also kill whatever gave them birth in the first place." It seems to me that the Internet is uncomfortably closer to this situation than we like to think.
OK, now for today's piece of writing. This one is about Marvel Comics' mutant mythology, and could mildly be described as controversial. If you are an X-MEN fan, stop reading right now.
( Read more... )
