A SUMMARY OF THE PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FIRST CONFERENCE ON CYBERSPACE
Date
1990-06-01
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Abstract
Take fourteen people of varying specialities and ask them to talk about
aspects of a common interest. The result is the first conference
on cyberspace.
Cyberspace does not exist yet in any palpable form. We have seen some
glimmerings of what is possible by using equipment varying from a
Commodore 64 to the VPL DataGlove. But this is just the tip of the
iceberg. What is needed is some framework for future development in, and
research on, cyberspace.
For this reason, the conference focused on directions and ideas, not
implementations. The presenters and attendees covered a broad spectrum of
disciplines comprising architecture, art, computer science, engineering,
philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology and writing
(authors). Also the academic, corporate, and industrial worlds were well
represented.
Such a mix of disciplines led to a diversity of ideas. However, as the
presentations and discussions progressed, some definite themes became
clear. This paper attempts to integrate the ideas presented at the
conference, gives a partial definition of cyberspace, and indicates
directions for future research and discussion.
The paper starts with a general discussion of the nature of cyberspace.
This background is used to discuss cyberspace from three different views:
interface, information and communication. Next, some theoretical
foundations of cyberspace are discussed. Then possible approaches to
implementation including architectures and paradigms are outlined.
Next the effect on humans individually and in general is covered. After
that is a discussion of the issues raised and some areas of conflict.
Then some possible areas of research are covered. And finally a partial
definition of cyberspace is given.
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Keywords
Computer Science