Multimedia Fascists

Here is an interesting (to say the least!) email we received last week, which prompted us to put up
this public forum:

Subject: Multimedia Fascists!

Congratulations!

You've managed to credit a few artists and fashion designers with the multimedia revolution, with
a touch of arrogance for good measure.

My view of multimedia is to empower common people, allowing them access to tools and
resources that will (hopefully) make their lives more meaningful, creative and efficient. You guys
want to give it back to the Andy Warhols of the world and allow them to be the arbiters. You
speak of being totally '90's, but you seem to long for the days of the Factory and Velvet
Underground.

The multimedia revolution will not be waged (or won) by models and fashion photographers, and
it won't happen in downtown clubs frequented by the "beautiful people". It will happen
everywhere where there are smart, creative people reaching out to each other across the 'net.

Hopefully, your view of the 'net will not catch on. Artistic arrogance will not help move the 'net
toward its true promise of democracy through access. It will just continue in the fascistic ways of
the past, a la multimedia.

Thierry
sansrcqt@acf2.nyu.edu
or
theories@aol.com