Still, Fiona Steinkamp introduced a very unsettling feature of interaction on the Net within the very message that had also entertained the idea that there is nothing special about Net-freedom. Freedom and equality on the net are shaped by closeness, directly bordering on complete detatchment. As Fiona rightly points out, if this is the crucial question we are on very familiar ground. There are some very specific historical circumstances under which it was possible for constitutional pluralism to succeed. And one of its main promises was to grant equal opportunity to all concerned.
Mythology provides for semi-real entities, strange aggregations of phantasy and facts.
It might, at least, increase people's readiness to deal with problems that do not offer clear-cut solutions one way or the other. The discursive format of a mailing list is very effective in bringing out the relevant discontinuities. But this cannot be the whole story. Yes, I guess that must be a key issue. There are several things that can happen by feeding a system an input that is intended to destroy this very system.