Author: Mary Mendoza
On Jan. 25 and 26, Middlebury College hosted the "Digital Bridges 2003" conference. This conference focused on the effects and accessibility of the Internet and consisted of several different panels exhibiting how the Internet affects both businesses and the individual. Both Middlebury students and professionals from across the country were present. The conference was organized by David K. Smith Professor of Economics Michael Claudon. "Once again Middlebury students delivered a simply wonderful experience for everyone at DigitalBridges2003. The content they and their panelists delivered was right on and showed us just how extensively an always-on digital current and pervasive Internet is fundamentally challenging everything: how we work, play, and do business; what we mean by liberal arts education; and the extent to which we can or cannot protect our personal liberties and privacy," said Claudon.Much was learned at the conference this weekend, including one of the negative aspects of the Internet. "Perhaps the most disturbing thing learned during the weekend was that the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is sending armies of bots across the Web and into our PC's, searching for evidence of suspect peer-to-peer music and video sharing" said Claudon. "It's one thing for a government agency to collect information where criminal activity is suspected, but for private enterprises to spy on individuals with impunity shows us just how dark is the dark side of the Internet."
--Mary Mendoza, staff writer
Digital Bridges Version 2.003
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