IsayUsaySsay

name: Geke van Dijk
subject: Opening session of the Next 5 Minutes.
time: 10.30-12.00 (Paradiso Hall)
date: friday 19 january 1996

As an introduction to the opening session of the Next 5 Minutes David Garcia, host of the session and organizer of the conference, explained the reason for putting the question 'access FOR what?' central on the agenda of the conference instead of 'access TO what?'.
'Acces to what' would trigger the discussions to focus on the theme of the information overload on the internet. Altough this is also a serious and interesting problem, it is not a theme that would fit the Next 5 Minutes because it easily puts one on the position of a mere consumer of mediacontent. Which is a rather passive position and very much not the case with most participants of the Next 5 Minutes.
The question 'access for what' is meant to address to our position of media producers as well as consumers. The panel 'Access for all, Access for what?' is encouraging us to discuss about the use of communication technologies to make programs that matter and to create networks and shared workspaces.

Note: David also stressed that the tight schedule of the plenary sessions may force the speakers into "talking in soundbites". This is obviously not a format anyone would call ideal. Therefore the organization committee has planned for rooms and slots in the schedule to have meetings about issues wich come up during the plenary sessions and are asking for more elaboration. Notify the desk in De Balie if you have suggestions on this.

Geke van Dijk