Southeastern Massachusetts University - Scrimshaw Yearbook (North Dartmouth, MA)

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generalized use of the computer as a means of societal control threatens to destroy at least the privacy, and very probably all' the present rights of the individual unless we change the socioeconomic system. Let us be very clear: the only way to run the complex society of the second half- of the twentieth century is to use the computer. 'I'he question is to determine the rights of -the individual under-these circumstances and then to ensure that they are respected' by the computer-using authorities. , The danger rs imminent. Govemment already holds very substantial dossiers on a major part of the population, these are either in computer memories or can be placed in computer memories. Information on the financial affairs of each individual will soon be available through the development of the Intemal Revenue Service Computer System. It is now planned that the records ofthe Job Corps will be placed on computers,,a step which will inevitably be extended to cover all those that the .govemment considers to be in need of help to findor regain a place in society. In the areaof the ,exercise of socially-sanctioned force and compulsion, it is significant. to note that New York State is developing a statewide police rnforrnadon network: a network which all authorities agree could be extended nation wide within a brief period of years. ' ' ' - ' .- Some form of dehumanized, impersonal world is inevitable in the next twenty years unless we make major changes rn our socioeconomic system. Only the working out of a new balance with the aid of society's servants -computer systems- will enable us to meet our fundamental societal goals. 1 . I have been discussing the effect of the drives exertedfbyn. the application of computers ,in reinforcing industrial-age values . and ,thus inhibiting our forward ' movement into' fthe cybernated era. I would now like to turn to a consideration of the potential of thesedrives as aidsin the effert to move toward the realization of ' our fundamental societal goals in the new context of .a cybernetics-based socioeconomy. It is- my contention that the positive potential -of these drives will not become a reality while we continue on our present course, while' we subordinate efforts to correct socioeconomic ills tothe goal of the continuation of an outmoded industrial-age system, with its now inappropriate set of restraints and lack of restraints. If we are to have a more fulfilling way of life in- the cybemetics-baed abundance Sera, we must take' conscious steps to enable us to arrive at a new set ofrestrarhts and lack of restraints and a new balance between them. , Let us begin with a consideration of the drive toward unlimited destructive power: it is now generally accepted that this can only be prevented from destroying mankind rfwe renounce force, and even the threatof force, and that this requires that negotioation and arbitration become the means of settling disputes., In effect, nations will have to move toward world cooperation and world law. We are, at the present time witnessing the early efforts of institutions which' could become the creators and administrators of world law, but we continue to view such efforts as primarily aimed at peace-keeping. Despite the disu ons at meetings and conferences, our perception of the role of worldcooperation in achieving socioeconomic advances remains very dim, for we still allow language and .cultural barriers to impede the free flow of information. The physical barriers to commuication are the channels are opening. Our role is to ensure that we use them, not. allow ourselves to be persuaded that we should block them, once again. g ' 'I 4 g The drive toward unlimited productive power can result in mst benefits, both inter nationally and domestically, but only if we change the methods presently. used to distribute rightsgto resources. It is, of course, impo 'ble to determine the final pattem which will. emerge but I A .being wud. with the aid of Cybernetics' believe that the need for three steps can already beseen: ' -A

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The rich countries should accept an unlimited commitment to provide the poor countries of the world with all the resources they can effectively employ to help them to move into the cybernetics-based abundance era. Let me state explicitly, however, that such a commitment should not beaccompanied by the right to dump unwanted surplus industrial age products and machinery into the poor countries. Rather, the poor countries must move as directly as possible from the agricultural era, without being forced to pass through the industrial-age process of socio-cultural and economic realignments. Domestically, we should adopt the concept of an absolute constitutional right to an income through provision of Basic Economic Security. This would guarantee to every citizen of the United States, and to every person who has resided within the United States for a period of five consecutive years, the right to an income from the federal government sufficient to enable him to live with dignity. No government agency, judicial body or other organization whatsoever should have the power to suspend or limit any payments assured by these guarantees. I believe that the best means to implement these guarantees would be to amend the Employment Act of 1946 to read: It is the policy of the United States government either to provide job opportunities for all those seeking work or, if jobs are not available in sufficient number, to guarantee an income of sufficient size to enable the family to live with dignity. ' A second principle, Committed Spending, should also be introduced, which would embody the concept of the need to protect the existing middle-income group against abrupt major declines in their standard of living, for a very substantial proportion of this group will lose their jobs in the next decade. This principle is based on the premise that in the process of transition between the industrial age and the cybernetics- based abundance era, socioeconomic dislocation should be avoided wherever possible, whether caused by sudden large-scale reduction in demand or by sudden withdrawal of economic supports for valid individual -'1 Q