I've come to the conclusion that mainstreaming a technology results in the technology conforming to the mainstream, rather than the mainstream adopting the interests of the early adopters of the technology.
Which is precisely how it should be. Technology is for the use and convenience of the masses--it's not a vector for political minorities to spread their ideological viewpoints. My mom doesn't need to listen to Vint Cerf's politics to use the TCP/IP to trade pictures of my kid with my wife's mom.
Yes, clearly the capabilities of technology shouldn't inform people's philosophies. They should continue to receive their views via mass media social pressure instead.
However, the personal beliefs of the creators inform the design of the technology. And the resulting technology's capabilities can render this moment's squabbling moot.
