educated heretics

• Messages sorted by:[ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]

I just have to add a personal story to this thread.

My aunt attends a very very large, very very vibrant Apostolic Church. 
Once there was an evangelist preaching (in all fairness to the resident
staff).  He proceeded to explain to the congregation that Bill Gates was
most likely the Antichrist (or would usher in his reign) via the internet
since Gates *invented* the internet and is the head of it.  (He went into
the www=666 theory too--read archives for detailed discussion of this. 
FYI, "w"="5" or "7" when the computer actually reads it.)

The actual *inventer* of the internet concept was some poor guy who had
trouble remembering clients' names.  So he invented a program that had the
people's faces on one page, then a "link" to info. about their company,
etc., with further "links" to sister companies or other info.  Thus, the
internet was born.  Bill Gates' role was to develop an explorer.  His
invention is the same concept as AOL, Netscape, etc. so to say Bill is the
head of the internet on this basis is utter nonsense.  You get my point.

My aunt (die-hard techno-phobic) believed him totally.  No amount of
persuasion from my husband (who is studying Computer Tech.) or myself could
convince her otherwise.

This sort of mythology and hype is exactly what mis-education or
un-education will get you.


All for education in "real world"-stuff-so-I-don't-mislead-my-audience,
Anneliese