ATML Technology on the AT

> I believe that the whole issue of interactive technology on the Trail is
> one that we will have to deal with more and more in the future, since such
> technology increasingly permeates everyday life. Its increased use poses a
> very great danger to the quality of the outdoor experience for all
> backcountry users. One person cannot bring such technology and not have it
> affect those around them, and themselves, and everyone needs to be
reminded
> of this so often that it becomes part of the planning process before
anyone
> heads for the AT.
>
> The more I see the trends in the use of interactive technology on the AT,
> the more I believe it is in the best interest of the AT and its future
> users to discourage the use of such technology. If its use is not
> discouraged, then it will continue to creep in at every turn until the
> Trail is overwhelmed by it, and the Trail experience will be overwhelmed
by
> it. In the future, people will be more and more dependent on the
> interactive technology in their lives, so much so that they will have
> forgotten what it is like to live without it. That is already happening. I
> believe we need to educate them about the joy of living without
interactive
> technology, in the hope that they will opt to try it for themselves, and
> thus experience that joy.
>
> I will continue to do my part to discourage the use of interactive
> technology on the AT, and will use Trailplace to do so. For instance, I
> will not consider anyone for the Class of 2000 Journal Project who will be
> taking a cell phone, computer, or similar device. I believe that
> electronics, as it is developing technologically and socially, poses as
> great a danger to the future values of the AT as uncontrolled clear
cutting
> poses to the quality of the forest environment.
>
> WF
>


----- Original Message -----
From: KCF <wareagle@ioa.com>