"The next 50 years in cyberspace" by Randall Lyman

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Internet rights activist and Be-In coproducer Bob Gelman announced the publication of a new Declaration of Human Rights in Cyberspace on the Digital Be-In's Web site, and his intention to get the declaration added on to the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The UN declaration marks its 50th anniversary later this year. "We're going to introduce the Declaration of Human Rights in Cyberspace to the UN by having it signed first by companies, by organizations, by the governments of individual countries, " he said. Wearing a three-piece suit with checkered jacket and the exposed peach-colored wires and earplug of his Be-In staff intercom system, Gelman took the stage about a third of the way through the program of scheduled speakers, shortly after a mini-concert by George Clinton and Josh which stretched long past its scheduled 25 minutes. Josh deejayed a selection of Clinton tunes using Mixman software on a personal computer, producing at times a body-throbbing bass line, while the "grandfather of funk" improvised along and repeatedly urged the crowd to "Make some noise!" During the concert the smoke in the air changed from the sage burned by the Aztec dancers who'd opened the Be-In to the pot being smoked by medical marijuana activists, then to incense, possibly from upstairs. It was into this potent atmosphere, beneath the disco lighting and mirror ball, that Gelman made his appeal to the couple hundred people in the Main Room. "I would like your input" on the draft Declaration of Human Rights in Cyberspace, he said, urging everyone to speak up in the Forum section of the Be-In's Web site.