Farrar, 'Future Possibilities in Information Technology and Access', LITA Newsletter v14n04
URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/lita/lita-v14n04-farrar-future

[v14n4.futurep litanews]
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Future Possibilities in Information Technology and Access
Mark S. Farrar

Although one would be hard pressed to say that David Brin and Connie
Willis paid great heed to the title of the program (sponsored by
LITA's Imagineering Interest Group), they did entertain, inform and
amuse the large audience. Both authors have won wide praise and awards
for their science fiction writing skills and both delighted the audi-
ence with their presentations.
   Connie Willis warned the crowd about the dangers of not anticipat-
ing the future uses of technological advances. Libraries are well
aware of the threat of changing technology and many in the profession
are wary of the changes that may yet come. Willis compared the rush to
embrace new technology to a scene from the film Jurassic Park where
the scientists run up to a recently regenerated dinosaur. Willis made
it clear that while she thought it extraordinary that we might one day
have the technology to recreate dinosaurs and that she might genuinely
wish to view one, it would be quite foolish to merely run up to such a
creature. After all, a misplaced foot or tail might permanently put an
end to one's excitement and curiosity.
   Willis claimed she was not a technophobe but a science fiction
writer. As such, she felt charged to use her abilities to help readers
to come to terms with and shape their future. She described the change
in the movie industry from silent films to "talkies" and the effect it
had of making and breaking careers and companies. Willis then implored
us to do everything in our power to mitigate the most painful and dehu-
manizing aspects of technological change. Willis also made an effort
to remind libraries of the serendipity that occurs while researchers
are browsing a collection and to retain books as an integral part of
libraries.
   David Brin admitted that he has often been referred to as one of
the most optimistic of current science fiction writers. He prefers to
think of himself as a contrarian. Brin believes the media are attempt-
ing to convince all of us that this is the worst of times. He counters
that it can't be the worst of times, as a smaller percentage of men
serve in military organizations than ever before. Brin, like Willis,
thinks science fiction should help people prepare for the future be-
cause, as he pointed out, change can't be prevented.
   Brin coined a new phrase when he described how potentially destruc-
tive new technologies become widely available to the average citizen.
Brin describes technology that moves from the rich and powerful to the
general public as having been "Radio Shacked." He also stated that
soon machines will be able to produce any bioactive substance and that
all efforts to control drugs would be pointless. He further believes
that surveillance technology will soon be at a level where the prover-
bial "fly on the wall" will be transmitting all that we say and do.

Brin stated that soon we will be forced to give up what we consider to
be privacy because of the spread of information and technology.
   Although Brin's descriptions sound rather grim, he wasn't trying to
persuade the audience to be afraid of technology, but rather to regard
it as very powerful and potentially liberating. He pointed out that
technology can be used to disseminate the truth even if powerful mem-
bers of society attempt to control information and communications.
Brin argued that privacy and secrecy are sometimes nothing but illu-
sions; only the elite has access to technology that allows them to
penetrate the ostensible privacy of others. Nevertheless, Brin claims
that the widest possible access to communication holds out the great-
est possibility of everyone discovering the truth.
   A signing session followed the program, giving the audience a
chance to meet both authors and chat with them briefly. Both David
Brin and Connie Willis seemed to enjoy their time spent at the LITA
program and ALA and the audience clearly enjoyed their contributions.
Incidentally, I later ran into David Brin on the streets of New Or-
leans and he introduced me to his wife and young son. In a brief and
friendly chat, David said he hoped the world realized the importance
of libraries and the contributions they can make to the future.--Mark
S. Farrar is Technical Processing Supervisor at the MIT Humanities Li-