FWD- New internet fireworks

[Janet Kaul]

Anybody writing to their local papers with this editorial? I think it's
an excellent point, but did not see the episode myself (and have
therefore evidently spoiled my career as an arsonist). This is a
very cavalier attitude for television to take, considering their
constant battles against censorship. They probably shouldn't be
maligning other information and entertainment delivery mechanisms
(unless it's because the Homicide is losing viewers to Internet
surfing?).


> From web4lib at library.berkeley.edu  Tue Oct 31 15:56:48 1995
> Date: Tue, 31 Oct 1995 16:02:05 -0800
> Reply-To: web4lib at library.berkeley.edu
> Originator: web4lib at library.berkeley.edu
> Sender: web4lib at library.berkeley.edu
> From: "Donald A. Barclay" <dbarclay at lib.nmsu.edu>
> To: Multiple recipients of list <web4lib at library.berkeley.edu>
> Subject: Re: FWD- New internet fireworks
> X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas
> Content-Length: 1339
> 
> In regard to blaming the Internet, did anyone see last Friday's episode 
> of NBC's <<Homicide>>?  The episode revolved around a killer arsonist.  
> When the detectives finally caught the firebug, they asked him where he 
> learned so much about setting fires.
> 
> "The Internet, of course," was his answer.
> 
> I find two ironies in this. One is the tendency of media such as
> television, magazines, and movies to vilify the Internet when they are
> clearly much bigger purveyors of smut and violence.  
> 
> The other irony is that the episode of <<Homicide>> itself gave out plenty
> of detailed information on how to commit arson, and <<Homicide>> certainly
> reaches a lot more people than alt.fan.pyro. Did you know that soaking
> rolls of toilet paper in gasoline is a good way to start a fire?  You
> would if you were one of the millions watching <<Homicide>> last Friday. 
> One of the millions of dateless, quiet young loners who the neighbors
> always thought of as ordiniary guys and it sure was a surprise to them
> when. . . .You know the rest of the story. 
> 
> Happy Halloween.  I hope nobody toilet papers your house.  (-:
> 
> Donald A. Barclay 
> New Mexico State University Library     always the beautiful answer
> dbarclay at lib.nmsu.edu                   who asks a more beautiful question 
>                                                     --e.e. cummings
> 
>