An interesting topic I feel is worthy of discussion from this reading though there were a few is Bertolt Brecht's manifesto, on pages 32 and 33 of the reading. The statement of interest is of Douglas Davises note on Bertolt's statement "Brecht... pointed out that the decision to manufacture radio sets as receivers only was a political decision, not an economic one" (Shanken 32).
This caught my attention, think about todays on going discussions of internet regulation, the government trying to figure out ways to create censorship of the internet through fear, and preaching that it is only for the good of the people.
The internet is the embodiment of Brecht's manifesto, artists and people now get to learn and teach, survey and participate, consume and produce in infinite ways through the internet contributing and proclaim what is wanted and what is not, through the expression of oneself electronically, digitally.
Had the powers that be seen how much of an impact this tool would have, and the ability for communication on a global instant level, would it have been released to the public as it is today? Would the internet then too have been packaged and distributed as receivers, to contribute to the control of the people?
Good insights and questions, Phil. Keep it up.
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