This essay is based on notes from a speech about national perspectives on community networking issues, given to the first British Columbia Community Networks Conference, Whistler, British Columbia, May 10, 1998. My personal faith in the fact of community remains unshaken by anything I've learned from doing that kind of thinking. I want to spend a few minutes telling you why that's so. Some people believe you just do it. You connect the networks, and any unintended consequences of technological change get dealt with on the run.
Some people look at the unintended consequences and see darkness in the heart of technology.
They say - we must stop until we understand it better than we do. We wouldn't mind having a more informed choice. But, being Canadian, we get uncomfortable if we have to oppose anyone to get it. Those of us who've been elected to represent you as Telecommunities Canada directors have to work within that range of opinions. We've found a few things to say about the role and purpose of community networks that we think are important.