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1995-07-25
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Developing an Equitable and Open
Information Infrastructure
DIAC-94
Sponsored by Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility (CPSR)
April 23 - 24, 1994
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Building 10-250
Cambridge, MA
CPSR's Directions and Implications of Advanced Computing biannual
conferences (DIAC) are explorations of the promises and threats
stemming from computer technology. DIAC-94 is a two-day symposium
dedicated to public interest issues related to the National
Information Infrastructure (NII), the proposed next-generation
"Information Superhighway." Academia, libraries, government
agencies, media, and telecommunications companies, as well as
public interest groups and the general public, all have a stake in
the current development.
The media coverage is glowing, but there are many unanswered
questions:
Will the NII be technology that we can all use? Who will
control it? Corporations? The government? The public?
And how much will it cost?
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Benjamin Barber
author of _Strong Democracy: Participatory Politics for a New Age_
Other Speakers Include:
Herbert Schiller, author of _Who Knows: Information in the Age of
the Fortune 500_
Tom Grundner, President, National Public Telecomputing
Network (NPTN), Founder of the Free-Net movement
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
***** The Promise and Problems of the NII *****
A small window of opportunity is now open for the public's input to
the desig process. This talk will give an overview of the issues at
stake and the potential to influence NII development for the common good.
Speaker:
Beverly Hunter of Bolt, Beranek, and Newman (BBN)
***** Grassroots Initiatives in Community Networking *****
A look at independent computer network projects around the U.S.
serving communities through freely accessible systems.
Speakers:
Tom Grundner, President of National Public Telecomputing Network
Antonia Stone, Founder of Playing to Win
Tony Lewis, Executive Director of The Alliance for Community Media
Joyce Freeling, Founder of the Legacy Project
***** Perspectives on Technology and Information Content *****
The NII may allow for increased public access to communications.
This could multiply the diversity of viewpoints in political
discussion and improve the quality and variety of cultural
offerings. Topics here include community cable TV, news in the
future, and alternative wire services.
Speakers:
Herbert Schiller of the U. of California, San Diego
Walter Bender, MIT Media Lab, News of the Future Group
Jeff Chester, Co-Director of The Center for Media Education
***** Directing Technical and Social Change Through Public Policy *****
Communications technology is not autonomous, but is shaped by
political and economic forces. Topics include the relationship
between media ownership and editorial control, government
regulation of communications, and libraries.
Speakers:
Marc Rotenberg of Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility
Patrice McDermott, Policy Analyst of OMB Watch
Stan Kugel, General Manager of Pilgrim Telephone
Jamie Love, Director of Taxpayers Assets Project
***** Constituencies Speak Out *****
A cross-section of successes and disappointments experienced by
K-12 educators, libraries, media, civic, and community organizations.
WORKSHOPS
The second day of the conference will feature over 25 workshops from a
wide variety of community organizations, activists, and academics.
There will be 6 - 8 concurrent workshops on a wide variety of topics
including NII economics, gender issues, Multi-User Dungeons (MUDS),
non-profits and the Internet, post-modern technology, and electronic
access for the poor.
PROCEEDINGS
Proceedings from the conference will be included in the conference fee
available for purchase from the CPSR National Office.
CABLE BROADCAST
DIAC-94 will be cablecast in the Boston area by Cambridge
Community TV, and broadcast nationally by satellite.
DIAC PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Amy Bruckman, Nikki Draper, Harry Hoccheiser, Hans Klein,
Dave Levinger, Matthew Marx, Aki Namioka, Andrew Oram, Marc Rotenberg,
Doug Schuler, Barbara Simon, Craig Smilovitz, Paul Vermouth,
Coralee Whitcomb
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Members $50; Non-members $75; Low Income and Student $25.
Send check to: CPSR/Boston, P.O. Box 962, Cambridge, MA 02142.
The member price is for members of CPSR and co-sponsors (see
below).
Name ____________________________________________________________
Affiliation _____________________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Phone __________________________ Fax ____________________________
E-Mail __________________________________________________________
If you are a member of a co-sponsoring organization, list it here:
_________________________________________________________________
Co-sponsors: Apple Library at Apple Computer, Inc., Cambridge
Community TV, Center for Media Education, The Internet Society, MIT
Communication Forum, Morino Foundation, O'Reilly & Associates
Endorsers: Access Media, American Library Association (Intellectual
Freedom Committee), Benton Foundation, Boston Computer Society (Social
Impact, Public Services, and Education Groups), Center for Art
Research, Center for Civic Networking, Chester County Interlink,
Citizens for Media Literacy, Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts,
Communications Workers of America (District 1), Consortium for School
Networks, Freedom House, Loka Institute, M.I.T. Press, Massachusetts
Teachers Association, MassCUE (Computer Using Educators),
Massachusetts Cable Educational Television, National Public
Telecomputing Network, New England Computers and Social Change
Organizing Committee, OMB Watch, Playing to Win, Mayor Kenneth E.
Reeves (City of Cambridge) Taxpayer Assets Project, Technology
Education Council of Somerville/Somerville Community Computing Center
For more information on the conference or if your organization
would like to become a co-sponsor or endorser contact Coralee Whitcomb,
617-356-4309, cwhitcom@bentley.edu or Hans Klein, hkklein@mit.edu.
OUT-OF-TOWNERS
Accomodations:
We recommend the use of Boston Reservations for overnight accomodations.
They are able to arrange reservations anywhere from luxury hotels to
Bed and Breakfasts for prices ranging from $180 - $60. They can be reached
by phone: (617) 332-4199 Fax: (617) 332-5751.
Directions from the Airport:
Taxi fares will run from $20-$22.
Limousine service is available to most downtown hotels for $7.50.
Public Transportaton
Take the free Massport bus to the subway (T) station.
Subway Fare $.85
Take the Blue line inbound toward Boston, 4 stops to the Government
Center Station.
Use the stairs to go up to the Green Line on the next level. On the
WESTBOUND side of the platform, take any train 1 stop to Park Street
Station.
Change to the Red Line towards Alewife and get off in 2 stops
at Kendall Square station.
Driving
Go through Sumner Tunnel after exiting the airport. Stay left in tunnel.
Take the least sharp right upon exiting tunnel toward Storrow Drive.
Exit at Storrow Drive/Cambridge staying left.
Exit left at Longfellow Bridge and cross bridge.
You are now in Kendall Square.
DIRECTIONS TO 10-250
Anyone who has ever visited Boston or Cambridge knows that city planning
was non-existant back in the early days of these cities. Finding your
way to room 10-250 may prove to be a very typical Boston adventure.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK DIRECTIONS, it gives us a chance to show off.
Coming from the T (subway)
You will get off at the Kendall Square stop. Proceed to the side of Main
St. ACROSS from the Marriott Hotel. Walk straight to the street behind
the T station (Carleton St. but there is no sign). Proceed to the cross
street (Amherst) and turn right to the cross street (Ames) and turn left
to Memorial Drive. The river should be on your left. Proceed to
Memorial Drive with MIT buildings on your right until you see a large
open "court". Enter the building directly to the back of that "court".
This is 10. Room 250 is across the hall.
There will be big signs to guide you from the T entrance.
By car
Find a place to park - ha!
The easiest directions are to enter the main entrance of MIT (the big,
impressive staircase on Mass. Ave.). Proceed across the lobby and down
what is known as the Infinite Corridor. Continue through the twists and
turns until there are big windows looking out onto a "court" on the right.
Room 250 should be on your left.
There will be signs to quide you.
Weather:
Who knows! Usually it is cool and springlike in late April - but we're
setting an alltime record for snowfall this year...
************************************************************************
COMPUTER PROFESSIONALS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
************************************************************************
The mission of CPSR is to provide the public and policymakers
with realistic assessments of the power, promise, and problems of
information technology. As concerned citizens, CPSR members
work to direct public attention to critical choices concerning the
applications of information technology and how those choices affect
society.
Founded in 1981 by a group of computer scientists concerned about
the use of computers in nuclear weapons systems, CPSR has grown
into a national public-interest alliance of information technology
professionals and other people. Currently, CPSR has 22 chapters in
the U.S. and affiliations with similar groups worldwide. In addition
to our National Office in Palo Alto, California, we maintain an office in
Washington, D.C.
Every project we undertake is based on five principles:
o We foster and support public discussion of, and meaningful
involvement in, decisions critical to society.
o We work to correct misinformation while providing
understandable and factual analyses about the impact of societal
technology.
o We challenge the assumption that technology alone can solve
political and social problems.
o We critically examine social and technical issues within the
computer profession, both nationally and internationally.
o We encourage the use of information technology to improve
the quality of life.
************************************************************************
CPSR PROJECTS
************************************************************************
By sponsoring both national and local projects, CPSR serves as a
catalyst for in-depth discussion and effective action in key areas:
o The National Information Infrastructure
o Civil Liberties and Privacy
o Computers in the Workplace
o Technology Policy and Human Needs
o Reliability and Risk of Computer-Based Systems
In addition, CPSR's chapter-based projects and national working
groups tackle issues ranging from the implementation of Calling
Number ID systems to the development of nanotechnology and
virtual reality, from the use of computers in education to working
conditions for computer professionals, from community networks
to computer ethics.
************************************************************************
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
************************************************************************
CPSR welcomes everyone who uses or is concerned about the
role of information technology in our society.
As a member of CPSR, you are joining a nationwide network of
concerned people who are committed to bringing a public interest
perspective to all aspects of information technology. CPSR's work
covers a wide variety of issues including the proposed National
Information Infrastructure, privacy and freedom of information, the
demilitarization of national technology policy, cryptography,
participatory design approaches to system development, and more.
CPSR has a reputation for being on the forefront of issues pertaining
to the impact of information technology on society, taking action to
implement positive examples of the use of information technology
such as local community networks as well as participating in regional
and national policy discussions. A quarterly newsletter containing
in-depth analysis of major issues as well as updates on CPSR activities.
************************************************************************
ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION
************************************************************************
CPSR National Office
P.O. Box 717
Palo Alto, CA 94301
415-322-3778
415-322-4748 (FAX)
E-mail: cpsr@cpsr.org
CPSR Washington Office
666 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Suite 303
Washington, D.C. 20003
202-544-9240
202-547-5481 FAX
rotenberg@washofc.cpsr.org
************************************************************************
PRIVACY NOTICE
************************************************************************
The CPSR membership database is never sold, rented, lent,
exchanged, or used for anything other than official CPSR activity.
CPSR may elect to send members mailings with information from
other groups, but the mailings will always originate with CPSR.
============================ clip and mail ===========================
CPSR MEMBERSHIP FORM
Name ___________________________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip _____________________________________________________
Home phone _____________________ Work phone ______________________
Company ___________________________________________________________
Type of work ______________________________________________________
E-mail address _____________________________________________________
CPSR Chapter
__ Acadiana __ Austin __ Berkeley
__ Boston __ Chicago __ Denver/Boulder
__ Los Angeles __ Loyola/New Orleans
__ Madison __ Maine __ Milwaukee
__ Minnesota __ New Haven __ New York
__ Palo Alto __ Philadelphia __ Pittsburgh
__ Portland __ San Diego __ Santa Cruz
__ Seattle __ Washington, DC __ No chapter in my area
CPSR Membership Categories
__ $ 75 REGULAR MEMBER
__ $ 50 Basic member
__ $ 200 Supporting member
__ $ 500 Sponsoring member
__ $1000 Lifetime member
__ $ 20 Student/low income member
__ $ 50 Foreign subscriber
__ $ 50 Library/institutional subscriber
(Corporate memberships also available)
Additional tax-deductible contribution to support CPSR projects:
__ $50 __ $75 __ $100 __ $250
__ $500 __ $1000 __ Other
Total Enclosed: $ ________
Make check out to CPSR and mail to:
CPSR
P.O. Box 717
Palo Alto, CA 94301
************************************************************************
JOIN CPSR'S ELECTRONIC MAILING LISTS
************************************************************************
Placing yourself on CPSR's list server gives you access to a
library of materials dealing with CPSR issues and CPSR
documents. It is accessible via Internet and anyone can join.
To subscribe, send email to:
listserv@cpsr.org
Your message needs to contain only one line:
SUBSCRIBE CPSR-ANNOUNCE <your first name><your last name>
You will get a return message that confirms your subscription.
The message also explains how to use the list server to request
materials and how to use the index of CPSR's archives.
If you have a problem with the list server, please contact
ftp-admin@cpsr.org
CPSR also maintains a number of email lists that focus on
various issues and projects. To find out what email lists are
available and how to join them, send an email containing the
message LIST to listserv@cpsr.org
You can also request assistance by using the HELP command. If
you have trouble contact ftp-admin@cpsr.org
************************************************************************
We hope you enjoy this new service.
************************************************************************