Andrew L. Russell, Ph.D.
Director, Program in Science & Technology Studies
Associate Professor, History
College of Arts & Letters
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, New Jersey 07030
Field-Trip to Long Island Vineyard
3rd Agricultural Geophysics Workshop at Cornell University’s Long Island Horticultural Research & Extension Center
Reflections
Innovation Unedited
Kenneth Arrow: 1972
Nobel Prize in Economics
Robert Aumann: 2005
Nobel Prize in Economics
Julius Axelrod: 1970
Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology
Stanley Cohen: 1986
Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology
Gertrude Elion: 1988
Nobel Prize in Physics
Herbert Hauptman: 1985
Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Robert Hofstadter: 1961
Nobel Prize in Physics
Jerome Karle: 1985
Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Arthur Kornberg: 1959
Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology
Leon Lederman: 1988
Nobel Prize in Physics
Arno Penzias: 1978
Nobel Prize in Astrophysics
Julian Schwinger: 1965
Nobel Prize in Physics
Rosalyn Yalow: 1977
Nobel Prize in Medicine
Lindsay Siegel
Executive Director
Zahn Innovation Center
City College of New York
Elizabeth Vilchis
Operations
Homer Delivery
Andrew L. Russell, Ph.D.
Director
Science & Tech Studies Prog
Associate Professor, History
Stevens Institute of Technology
Aaron M. Socha, Ph.D.
Director: Ctr for Sust Energy
Professor: Department of Chemistry
Bronx Community College, CUNY
Theo Vassilakis, Ph.D.
Founder & CEO
Metanautix
What first sparked your interest in open systems and the history of the internet? What made this topic so compelling for you?
Who’s your favorite figure in the history on open systems and standardization? What makes agnu so important?
How long did it take you to research your book? How does openness apply to the recent topic of net neutrality?
Who decides whether or not the public gets to access the different types of standards? Who fights against the restrictions that the government implies on the public?
To make my question clearer: which government agency controls public access to various types of standards?
Why did you decide to write the book, Open Standards and the Digital Age: History, Ideology, and Networks?
Can an open system be moderated by an organization without becoming a monopoly?
It seems that having open systems is now the norm, are there any closed systems left?
Do you have any knowledge in designing standards? If so, what process would one go through, or what factors should be taken into account when creating an unique system?
is there an example of technical standards that were developed in a way more like societal standards, and less intentionally?
Do you believe a system of checks and balances would be efficient in regulating government and monopoly interests? If so, who would be the moderator? How can compromises be reached?
Closed implies exclusivity. What is the line between a closed system and an open system with selective admittance?
Aside from security or safety reasons, can you think of any negatives about open systems?
Are any of the standards regarding the Internet enforced legally, or are most of them societal standards (like using Google as the preferred search engine)?
You have said that knowledgable people should hold standards accountable and push for change when necessary. Are you thinking of a particular standard that you think should be changed?
Where do you think systems are headed now. You explained in class that you were a historian, but if you were to take on the role of pundit, where do you think the system of the Internet is headed. Is it becoming more open? Is that a good thing?
Is having more choices offered by an open system necessarily a good thing?
Exactly how much control should government have in the Internet? We know the dangers of being completely open or being completely closed, but how would we go about finding the right balance?
What are some examples of each of the topics of open and closed systems that you discussed in class and in the radio station?
Some standards must be bought even though the rules described by the standard are required by law. Do you think this system can and/or should be changed?
Thank you all for your hospitality and your very thoughtful questions! I’ll take a stab at a few of them:
1. An irresistible figure in open systems standardization is Louis Pouzin: he is technically brilliant, very articulate and outspoken, and inspired a great team of collaborators in France and internationally. Look him up! https://www.google.com/search?q=louis+pouzin.
2. Many of your questions ask about the boundaries between open and closed systems, the problems of choice in open systems, and more examples of each kind of system. The worlds of IT and computing provide some of the best examples of open systems, such as the Linux operating system and the Internet. In principle, anyone can participate in the creation of standards for Linux and the Internet; in reality, however, it is only technical experts who can participate effectively, and this takes a lot of time and effort. In policy debates around network neutrality, consumer privacy, and NSA surveillance, we see the tensions between the closed and open aspects of the Internet are illustrated clearly: to what extent do we want anything and everything to be open, if “open” also means open to criminals or unscrupulous companies or government agencies? And when we find that someone has violated their commitments to openness, how can they be held accountable? With these questions in mind it may be interesting to explore open (and closed) systems in realms outside of IT and computing – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_system is a fascinating place to start.
3. A few questions ask about the proper role of government, and how we might find the right balance between government and corporate power. All of us – in our roles both as citizens and consumers – have an important role to be vigilant about abuses of power that we see in government and the private sector. Two important government agencies that govern corporations from treating competitors and consumers unfairly are the Antitrust Division in the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. You should learn more about what those agencies do, and how they can be mobilized to protect your values and interests. Restraining the government can be more difficult, especially since we entrust elements of our national security apparatus to act as “closed” systems, with plenty of secrets. At the very least, we can communicate with our elected representatives to share our concerns. We can also support or get involved with groups like the Electronic Freedom Foundation (eff.org) or the Electronic Privacy Information Center (epic.org), who act on behalf of consumers and citizens.
Thanks again for all of your great questions, and I’m thrilled to see the conversation continue!
Dr. Russell