This paper, which was presented to National Aeronautics and Space Administration librarians as part of a telecommunications conference, describes features of the proposed National Research and Education Network (NREN). First, NREN's predecessor, the National Science Foundation network (the current NSFnet/Internet system), is discussed and the rationale behind NREN is explored. Secondly, the NREN proposal as embodied in the High Performance Computing Act of 1991 is described and some metaphors for NREN (e.g., interstate highways, railroads, telephone system) are examined. The arguments concerning the extent to which NREN should be publicly owned and operated or transferred to the private sector are then considered. Finally, the paper explores the social equity implications of information technologies like NREN and examines how the movement toward an information democracy might be enhanced. Reproductions of the slides shown during the presentation are appended. (30 references) (MAB)