The PEN project in Santa Monica: Interactive communication, equality, and political action

Abstract

An electronic communication system, especially if it is designed to accommodate open access via public terminals can allow information-disadvantaged groups (such as the homeless, and women) to exchange relevant information and engage in political action. The Public Electronic Network (PEN), a free computer-based messaging system available to Santa Monica, CA residents, allowed homeless and “homed” individuals to meet around the issue of homelessness. These meetings eventually led to collaborative political action to enable homeless individuals to more effectively seek employment. PEN also allowed female residents to engage in political discussion, and to form a female users' group to support female participation in the electronic networking system, and in the political community as a whole. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.