can get ahold of pornographic pictures, cancer sufferers can get access to information about untested experimental cures, counterculturalists can network with likeminded discontents, businesses can learn of our purchasing patterns, and anyone can represent himself online however he chooses.

Meanwhile, the newly-formed low-budget bottom-feeders of the mediascape can erode our most established cultural institutions. A pirated phone message tape can shake the foundations of the British monarchy, a camcorder tape can bring down the Los Angeles Police Department, a cable channel can erode our confidence the U.S. court system, and an impromptu Internet conference can make kids feel better about learning from strangers than from their own teachers.