Re: [ARSCLIST] Libraries disposing of records

["Steven C. Barr(x)" <stevenc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "phillip holmes" <insuranceman@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Hey, I will!  I'm going to lobby the UN to officially start "The Taste 
> Police".  I have French heritage, so I'm already better qualified than 
> most.  Also, my French roots are Cajun, so I can probably prove some 
> mixed racial background and claim that "I know black music" or "I know 
> the blues" or "It's a mixed racial heritage thing and you wouldn't 
> understand" or "my great uncle was half brother to a Seminole Shaman, 
> and I know deep things you don't know".  And I'm from Texas, so I have a 
> simple answer for every difficult problem (by the way, why haven't we 
> started any new wars recently?).  But honestly, what you're saying is: 
> if it was ever recorded, and there is an extant recording, it should be 
> saved.  That's a fair proposition, and I agree kind of.  But it only 
> works in a fantasy Star Trek world where everyone works for "the man", 
> and "the man" has decided that anyone like Steven Barr or Phillip Holmes 
> or Tom Fine can spend all their hours playing records and making sure 
> they have complete runs of every label.  I wonder who's going to clean 
> the toilets and dig ditches in Utopia?
> 
Since you posed that question...there will be those who can/will...
AS LONG AS:
1) They do not lose respect by doing so...and...
2) They are paid a worthwhile recompense for that task!

Now...

First, there are vast areas of unused and unusable land that could be
used as sites for storage facilities for the actual extant artifacts
(primarily as a "back-up" in case all digital copies are lost, or
life on Earth becomes non-viable).

Second, virtually any "record" (here I use the term to indicate any
amount of information stored by any means) can be converted to a
usable digital "file" (series of ones and zeros). Currently, we
can store half-a-terabyte on a hard drive about the size of a
large "pocket" novel!

Third, even given the fairly primitive nature of our communications
systems (compared to what COULD exist...) we can exchange megabytes
of data in seconds between connected computers.

Fourth, there are no real reasons to preserve more than a single actual
tangible example of a "document" (where more than one copy exists) other
than for personal ones (which last only as long as the persons do!).
Here, I use "document" to mean any tangible item of any sort used to
retain information.

Fifth...if we don't manage to blow ourselves up, there is every reason
that we will be able to access extra-planetary "space" on a regular
(and comparatively inexpensive) basis in the not too distant future.

Our tasks?

1) To locate and assemble every extant "document" on the face of 
the planet.

2) To dispose of any duplicate documents (except for those retained
by individuals for personal reasons).

3) To ascertain the most efficient and useful means of creating a
digital file containing the same information as the document.

4) To implement #3 for each document.

5) Having done so, to store the original documents in whatever way
that will extend their "lifespan."

6) Finally, to implement a digital catalog for both the documents
and the digital copies thereof, so the contents of either can be
identified and accessed by users.

As far as how this could be financed...simply create it as some
sort of "public facility," like our roads, streets and sidewalks.
Each user would pay a minimal fee for each item of information
accessed (think about the number of times you access information
over any given period of time...!)

Those charged with creating and maintaining this system would be
those identified as being both interested and talented in the
process...with lesser, repetitive tasks like data entry being
low (but decently) paid positions...

Hey...it's MY utopia, so I'll build the dommed thing like I want...!

Steven C. Barr