Chapter 39

Consequences

Tuesday

The birds sang in the back yard this morning when the sun came up. I was glad to be back in my twentieth century American life, and glad I didn’t have to go back to work yet. After my all-time favorite breakfast of orange juice, scrambled eggs with sausage, toast and coffee, I picked up the yellow pad again.

As I considered history; the discoveries, accomplishments, wars, breakthroughs; I wondered what makes people change and grow? What makes a difference? Sure a lot of things make life easier; but do they make us better, happier people? I don’t think technology moves us forward intellectually or spiritually; that’s up to our minds and hearts. Things don’t always move ahead as planned or even as reported, and I get that it’s easier to go with the flow; but does anyone bother to look ahead for possible unintended consequences? Maybe there ought to be a think tank for this problem. Of course the unexpected sometimes sneaks up on us before there’s a chance to grasp the tiniest notion there could even be a problem or catastrophe and then it’s already too late. That’s when we’re in a pickle.

I began to wonder if Digital World was more than a university or a library problem, maybe even more than an American problem. The whole world could be affected. If people peeked outside their self-inflicted cyber cocoons, they might be shocked beyond belief. Since Digital World sounds a little iffy, or worse, and higher education is what I know, I decided a little thought about where all this could go would be a good idea. Maybe what I saw on their website didn’t sound like that much, but given some time it could grow into a real threat. I did not care for those hints about replacing libraries and universities.

Let’s see, I’ll start pretty far off, no one will take it seriously anyway. Just a sort of outline; no jargon or statistics or scientific blah-blah-blah. I’ll make it exaggerated and ridiculous; don’t care to get bogged down in a disaster mindset. On the other hand, could it turn out to be a wake-up call? Don’t know, let’s see where it goes. They’re just getting started, so I don’t think Digital World will be satisfied with libraries and universities. They must have bigger plans.

Of course sometime in the future the news will be electronic, so hard copy news may be scarce. Certainly all the mainstream national and international stories would be coming from the newest, biggest news service yet, United Digital News, a world-wide monopoly. Hmmm, not bad. Let’s look at a few breaking news stories from UDN:

March 15, 2028 Digital World has announced the completion of its project to digitize the entire contents of recorded human knowledge and wisdom and their spokesperson took this opportunity to brag a little.

“This accomplishment is much bigger than what the Great Library at Alexandria was able to pull off. They acquired scrolls and codices with all existing written information beginning in 250 BC and lasted around 700 years, before they were put out of business by religion and politics. They tried hard, but didn’t quite make it like Digital World will. There’s so much more information now, you’ll be amazed.”

January 22, 2030 United Digital News reported today that many major academic libraries at larger universities will be closing their doors after spring semester due to severe budget restrictions and shortfalls. UDN sent a reporter to visit with Carl Dewey, Director of Libraries at the University of Michigan.

“I had no choice but to comply with the directive that was handed down by U of M President I. B. Simple.” Dr. Dewey’s voice was firm, but shook a little here and there. “He has directed me to sell the university’s library collections to raise money for faculty salary increases. The faculty has not had any pay raises for the past three years.”

Later the reporter found the president and asked him why he believes the library is no longer necessary.

“Everything a student or researcher could ever need has been digitized and made available on the Internet.” President I. B. Simple’s answer was short and blunt. U of M did not allow filming of the President’s remarks, so you’ll have to take the word of a UDN spokesman that he really said that.

August 1, 2031 Less than two years after the University of Michigan announced it would eliminate its campus-wide library system, many other university libraries all over America have closed their doors. Most state governors bragged about the decision as a great cost-cutting measure which helped them balance their state budgets.

June 14, 2032 As spring semester ended, UDN learned of a mammoth project planned for the Harvard campus, a spectacular historical museum that will attract many visitors. Following are the exact words of President I. M. Smartashell:

“Thanks to a major gift from an extremely generous corporate benefactor, Harvard University plans to encapsulate all campus libraries and their holdings in a controlled environment that will serve as a museum for future generations.

“The Smithsonian Institution will provide oversight and maintenance for the project. Admission fees and donations from the public should cover continuing costs.”

February 1, 2034 Fast and furiously moving on, Digital World proclaimed today their takeover of the delivery of all higher education in America.

“We will begin offering accredited online academic courses in 537 different subject areas or more, on the first day of February.” Digital World CEO Branded Run Wild was so excited he had trouble standing still in front of the cameras. “This is a natural extension of Digital World’s services. We already have all the resources. Remember a long time ago the Great Library of Alexandria had most of the world’s written knowledge, resources for instruction and learning, and also housed a prototype university.

“We are simply following the Alexandrine Model.” Run Wild started clapping, the audience joined in.

December 5, 2034 Several major academic institutions in budget-challenged states announced today they would not be operating for spring semester of 2035. They cannot effectively compete with Digital World’s much cheaper, totally online programs. It is to be regretted that students will no longer experience well-rounded, life-enhancing higher education programs as they spend most of their time sitting in front of a computer or walking around staring at their cell phones. The trend to online classes began many years ago. This year, fall enrollment at all state and private institutions was way down as many students switched to Digital World offerings.

Governors of the hardest hit states are delighted with this new cost-saving development as it takes care of higher education, and lets them off the financial hook.

April 15, 2037 10:00 a.m., Digital World holds a news conference:

Today I’m very proud and excited to stand before you to introduce our new CEO and Thought Leader, I. M. Aconservativeliteralist.” Digital World’s chairman of the board beamed from ear to ear. “He will head all our operations and has been tasked with addressing Digital World’s red ink after a disastrous year.” The new CEO took over the podium.

“What do you plan to do about all that red ink?” a UDN correspondent asked the first question.

“Most of Digital World’s red ink is due to the cost of digital storage and maintenance for all of the world’s recorded knowledge. Major weeding of the online collections will begin tomorrow.” Aconservativeliteralist got right to the point. “Employees have already been tasked to focus on eliminating those resources that do not reflect the current religious or political values of America.” Aconservativeliteralist appeared to be quite proud of his plan and how soon it would begin.

“What happened to providing the Alexandrine ideal of a world library that collects and maintains all the world’s recorded knowledge and wisdom?” Another reporter asked him about this change in their mission.

“If you read your history you’ll find that the early Church burned almost all of the collections that library held in the fifth century because of non-Christian content. So there is a well-established precedent for this strategy. Besides, I believe that written words often tend to be confusing and destructive for young people’s minds.”

January 2, 2038 A Press Release from Harvard University’s new President I. M. Enlightened revealed that an agreement with the Smithsonian Institution has been reached which will facilitate the re-opening of all Harvard libraries.

“Digital World’s recent decision to destroy all works that Mr. Aconservativeliteralist believes do not reflect America’s current religious or political values leaves Harvard no other choice.” President Enlightened was firm and clear on this matter.

I had to stop. Hungry and tired, I put the yellow pad aside, built a corned beef sandwich and opened a bottle of ale. It was all quite satisfactory.

 NEXT.....Chapter 40
The Next Day