Geert Lovink, a Amsterdam Writer, Journalist and early net critic, published a new book about the post-doctcom-internet: Dark Fiber: Tracking Critical Internet Culture (Electronic Culture: History, Theory, and Practice). MIT Press, 2002 From the press release: Dark Fiber starts when the party is over, in the post-dotcom recession era. Ignoring the libertarian culture of blame, which accuses both the government and 'the market' for the tech wreck, it sets out on a critical examination of actual Internet culture. After a good laugh about the absurd dotgone business plans it is better to prepare for tough battles to come. There is little time for post-bubble cynicism. Internet wars are on the rise. Fights over intellectual property, domain names, repressive legislation, corporate monopolies and censorship are just about to begin. The future will not merely be technological. This study argues that in order to understand and participate in the fight over the Internet a form of 'cultural competence' is required. Cultural competence is required! Now this is good news for cultural anhropologists, isn't it? Via purse lip square jaw

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