Conclusions

Every technology change in history has opened new opportunities for smart entepreneurs to create new cash flows or redirect old ones. But the digital era is unique in that it has created new kinds of property and thereby changed the definition of property in some disturbing ways. In a world where some lucky winner can sell ALTAVISTA.COM for $3M, we are all just eyeballs at some level. Where people and cities used to own the infrastructure of their daily lives we increasingly rent it. Choices we used to make are increasingly made by others for their own enrichment. This is natural and normal and does not make digital technology evil in and of itself. But just as we all had to learn how to set the time on our VCR's, we all have to pay attention to the impact this technology has on our lives. My four-year-old daughter has already received e-mail spam, though she can't read it yet. I guess she's just an eyeball at some level. I guess we all are. I'm lucky enough to be able to say "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" but not everyone can homebrew their technology the way I do. Most of you are vassals to your hardware and software and internet suppliers. Do you know what they've got planned for you? I hope I've given you something to think about. Thanks again for inviting me this evening.