Sailing Through Cyberspace: Counting the Stars in Passing

The global network that links the universe of computers is really many networks, each evolved in its own idiosyncratic fashion, whipped together like the frayed strands of cotton ropes. Along this network — which takes its name from the workings of a net, a tool devised to capture and hold prey — millions of human beings struggle to make themselves understood. It is not always easy to do, and the number of those dismayed by trying to communicate via the Net is exceeded only by those whose perseverance, taste for the novel, and need to be in touch (a fascinating metaphor in this context) over‐powers their reticence to be trapped and held by the Net's allure.