[K5pbem] Some comments on the Kazei 5 Timeline from an outside source

[Mathieu Roy]

Michael P Hopcroft wrote:

> That model gives no reason not to utterly exterminate the "lower 
> classes", so that is what I predict will happen. Not being of use to a 
> large corporation is punishable by summary execution. Whether death is 
> mericfully quick or an exercise in extreem torture and agony depends 
> on the nature of the "offense".

You can be of use to a large corporation simply by being a customer even 
if you don't work for them. Something which is often forgotten in many 
"cyberpunkish" settings -- even big ruthless have to sell their stuff to 
someone if they want money.

If you start killing people en masse, you're really expending tons of 
money to reduce your potential market. And may generate significant 
ill-will to boot, which isn't good for business either.

I don't see corporations promulgating mass killing or destruction except 
in dire circumstances; it's expensive, troublesome, and there's really 
nothing to be gained from it. IMHO Jinsei's attack on the Zone was 
initiated by a megalomaniac chairman rather than a corporate analysis, 
it was against truly "useless" non-citizens. Even then it turned out to 
be a nearly-fatal mistake; and Jinsei has nothing to show for it.

Mat