Politics Follows Code

C. Scott Ananian has written a beautiful article for Salon: "Every day, in our increasingly networked world, our freedoms and privacy are being stolen from us. And most of us just let it happen -- most of us tend to accept our computer's workings as immutable, that we are chained to an irrational, vindictive, uncontrollable machine destined to rule over our 9-to-5 days."

Comments

Do we need a "Hacker" lobby?

[Maul]

It seems that a lot of our representatives and senators are willing to sign our rights away very quickly. Before we all jump on the bandwagon of bashing them, we must consider that a good deal of them are not familiar with computers in a sense where they realize what they are doing. This aside, it is still true that they are not representing our interests. I agree with the previous posts that we need new people in congress. People who understand technology a bit better.

I know that a good number of people on Slashdot like to think of themselves as Libertarians. And perhaps the Libertarian Party is the one that best supports the beliefs of our community. Realisticcally, I don't think the Libertarian party has a snowball's chance in hell that it will have a major say in politics, not while the GOP and the Democrats have more money and support.

But it seems we need a bit more input. People have said it before, and I'll say it again: We need a hacker (again: the good kind) lobby or something along those lines. Those among our community who have been made wealthy thanks to IPOs and such might consider donating a bit to starting some sort of lobby. If we could form a PAC, then hackers could start providing information to congress about tech issues, and we could gain access to the loop.

Starting this lobby is clearly not an easy task by any means. It would take a lot of money and support, but I think if it were actually to happen, it would be quite beneficial, not only for us, but for the rights of people who don't even realize their rights are being stripped away (at this point, at least).

"You ever have that feeling where you're not sure if you're dreaming or awake?"

Re:Was the Internet really designed to be free?

[JustShootMe]

The Internet was designed in order to withstand physical and military assaults of staggering proportions. I think that the community and freedom of the net was a wholly unexpected consequence.

but it is true, that the net does interpret censorship, among other things, as damage, and routes around it.

If you can't figure out how to mail me, don't.