I just read an interesting essay by Sheldon Pacotti, one of the writers for the Ion Storm game Deus Ex.
The essay is about the preferred level of distribution of information once the interface between humanity and computers gets to the point where somebody can ask a computer for a product and the computer can "print" it. Obviously the assumption that society would have some kind of universal constructor that can print cars and coffee makers takes the essay more into the realm of science fiction, but it poses some old questions in an elegant way.
In a world where information superiority can bring such things as massive rifts between the upper and lower classes and cultivate the possibility of "super-terrorism", is it better to have societies that control information or make everything free to everyone.
I agree with the author. I think that humanity can handle the ability to see and know any piece of requested information. I think we as a society are capable of handling the crazies that would abuse that 'power'. I also think we can survive the change.
I just figured I'd distribute the essay. However, it's kind of a long read. Probably around 6-10 pages if you printed it out.
http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2003/03/31/knowledge/index.html
