Summary of Chapter 7 of Unspun - Governance

In this chapter, Timothy Luke attempts to tackle the difficut and confusing topic of governance on the World Wibe Web. Luke explains that the full effects of the Web are only begining to be explained. The Web is an interesting place because it provides many groups with new ways to function and carry out their intentions. The web is a difficult place to create, border, police and use. Many think the Web could either dramaticly improve human life or completely ruin everything humans value.

A new world known as a "network society" is being created on the Web. Through subtle changes in everyday life, we are creating a "real virtuality." We are incorporating the Web into our "offline" lives. Luke even goes so far as to say that "everything can be found blowing in the winds of hypertext." He believes that many things in everyday life can easily be connected to the Web.

In regards to Governance, Luke states that "much of the Web was made to work without a powerful ruler." The web consists of environments bound by "connectivity, interactivity, freedon and autonomy." One of the main forms of governance on the web is simply "netiquette." This has become common knowlegdge to the many who have grown up on computers. However, this become an issue when non-internet users suddenly find themselve on the web with no sense of what the rules are.

Bill Gates believes that computers change societies as they become incresingly connected. Gates also suggests that computers and their networks are essentially their own environment and sees a "friction-free" marketplace somewhere in the future.

In theory, cyberspace should be a place of self-governance. The code and tools used in creating the Web have their own rule for operation. Everything is so orderly and organized that it should be fully operation withouth any outside governance. However, this balance of order is changed when the "off-line set" creates their own environments on the Web. Luke states that Bill Gates has some amount of telecratic over the Web. As if he somehow rules the web from a far away place. Overall, the web is a very complex place in all aspects but especially in governance. How is it possible for one person to control such a vast environment? When everyone has the power to create whatever they can dream up, is it even possible to control?