The journal essay was written for class on "power and change in technological society". At present, I do not hold the same views and will not reach the same conclusions. However, I present the essay in its original form without editing for opinion or structure.

The Net

Bennett - a software analyst receives a disk from a friend working for Gregg Micro Systems containing unusual mainframe programs. As he pilots to meet her, he mysteriously dies. She gets targeted for hitting upon dangerous information. Her predator is the software company. Her identity in the computer system: financial, health and family information gets replaced by an arbitrary profile. She manages to learn who her predators are and how they profited by controlling cities computer systems for health care, stock exchange, police systems, traffic control, and financial systems. She manages to enter the company, copy the program, and destroy the evil software empire using a virus, all the while avoiding the assassins set against her.

The computer is credited with extending the organization, communication, and information storage capacities of the society. The individual places trust in companies and government when she/he gives private information, but if the information is misused, what power or avenue does the individual has in protecting her/him self. According to this film, the individual's power is very limited. Imagine, what if Bennett was not a computer geek, but an average girl. The film seems to support the topic statement, at the same time, it was an individual, it was her and her virus that destroyed a evil corporation.

The film points to various ironies of the technology enabled life. She if connected to everyone, except that she is a loaner who does not get to know her neighbors. She is a success, but was unable to take a vacation in six years or leave her work at home during her leisure.

We need technologies that localize control, and that enable man to experience the life's various spectrums. Technologies that centralize control, and limit diverse life experiences are dangerous and need to be avoided.