Same As It Ever Was

The electronic media had its genesis in the early days of the last century, and it seems that every time its technology moves forward, the same thing happens ...

The first two groups that make their mark in it are evangelical radicals and snake oil salesmen.

I'll let someone else debate whether or not those two bedfellows are actually one and the same. My point is that, if there's a quick buck to be made before the regulators can find a way to 'protect' the public, these guys are making it.

Back in 1920, when KDKA in Pittsburgh became the world's first radio station, programing was a clean slate. It would be another decade before 'prime time' network shows became the norm. Until then, the airwaves were full of fire and brimstone and miracle elixirs. American legislators seemed to have a hard time understanding that radio made state laws and state lines obsolete, so while they struggled to comprehend what modern technology hath wrought, fools and their money were parted on a mass scale.

Ultimately, the legislators caught up with radio and television. However, to use a broadcast term, we may be in a new turn of the century, but we're watching a 'rerun' with the Internet providing the stage.

Spam is only the tip of the iceberg. You surely have noticed how many 'get rich now' sites are trolling for dollars from unsuspecting hopefuls and how many chain letters are encouraging free souls to 'pass the Lord's message' along in viral quantities.

I mean, I'm as individualist as the next cyberbeing, but even I think there's got to be a way to put the brakes on this stuff!

How shameless can harvesters of our souls become? How predatory can amorphous netrepeneurs become? Those questions may actually have no sufficient answers, other than 'as much as possible.' One group seeks power in some form or another, while the other group seeks piles of cash. Both are hugely successful.

It's disingenuous to say that we can each stem the assault by using 'broadcast' remedies like changing channels or hitting the 'off' switch. The Internet messages are different. They wait for you. Use all the filters you want. They still get to you, via friends who happen to forward an 'inspirational' mailing or via so-called 'safelists' to which you may have been unaware that you joined.

The net result is that, sooner or later, almost everyone will get cauterized by the messages and many will part with cash. As usual, the people most likely to do so are those who are vulnerable emotionally and/or financially and most likely not in a position to pursue the matter after they realize they've been had.

I truly believe that governments are well-intentioned, but their modus operandi is --- more often than not --- to arrive in time to plug the bottle well after the genie has left it.

So, I truly believe that the best Internet regulation for the moment is what Margaret Thatcher once noted as 'the oxygen of publicity.' We need a growing army of cyberites dedicated to publicizing the credible, analyzing the incredible and debunking the discredible. We don't need vigilantes who are dedicated to pressing an agenda. We also don't need muck-mongers who don't substantiate their claims.

Will this army arise? Probably not.

However, those who concur can be their own Army of One. That's my plan. It's not original and it definitely won't be the only thing I do here, but I am going to stick to it.

It beats slipping on snake oil.