Lawmakers Game The System

Thanks to Wired News for its article discussing government officials and massively multiplayer game designers sharing ideas on the best ways to deal with community feedback. Neil Eisner of the Department Of Transportation explains: "We're both dealing with large populations, and (like with the public-comment process for legislation) the public helps them design the rules for the game, or petitions them to change the rules to have things happen." Raph Koster of Sony Online adds that it "was startling to me... that (the federal comment process) is identical to how we build our patches and patch notes", although since the government has "a legal obligation to protect the privacy of people submitting comments on legislation", this means some disadvantages compared to MMO feedback, as Koster explains: "We get to know the people who are good testers, who are good at catching bugs. The federal government is legally not allowed to do that."

Comments

Al Gore Invented Democracy

[Anonymous Coward]

But Solon got all the credit so he had to invent the Internet instead!?!?!

XBox rules!!

[Anonymous Coward]

first post!!! you lame assholes... I can post first because my XBox is a american product and my pride in my great country and my great XBox accelerate everything...

If only they would make games for that bitch... IAve played Metroid Prime and it ruled... I hope M$ will buy those japanese bastards and port Metroid to my great american console system!!!

All is lost!

[Anonymous Coward]

Dean is good as dead and Clark dropped out! All is lost!

You really think Botox-Kerry can take on Bush? No way.

Re:Lobbyists are neither anonymous or powerless

[patiwat]

Off topic as well, but:

I don't think Big Tobacco really fits the role here. They are in defensive mode now. We have managed to strip them of most of the benefits of a capitalist system and still manage to vilify them.

Big Tobacco is in the defensive now, but historically, they have been very powerful. Lots of money, lots of jobs at stake, and ruthlessly unethical management made for very effective lobbyists and influencers of legislation/policy.

It took decades of solid science, credible whistleblowers, and a powerful lobby of people dying of lung cancer to take them down. Truth and justice won out, but how many millions have died....

How about this game?

[I-R-Baboon]

You are a Slashdot Editor...you must duplicate as many stories as possible and shuck off the more interesting submittals. Survive the onslaught of Trolls & Flamebaits while reporting a lot of the same Nerd News that must apparently really matter still. Think you got what it takes to keep Slashdotters dulled into a sleep so they don't start Trolling, then you just may have what it takes to join...

PIGS IN CYBERSPACE!

Rated W by the Who Gives a Fuck Committee.

• Geek supervision recommended. Play at your own risk. Not responsible for choices individuals choose to make based upon this game, or changes in IQ. Not responsible for tongues stuck floppies or drooled on keyboards. CAUTION: GAME REQUIRES READING AND COMPREHENSION SKILLS, sold separately. Lawyers not included. This is not a food source. Do not immerse in 12M Sulphuric Acid. Not supported by Poison Control. No Haitians were killed in the making of this game. Do not immerse in fire or hot coals. Cowboy hat not included. Rinse after using.

System Requirements:

• Eyes, Mostly Functioning Brain, Coffee, Cigarettes, Short Fuse, Thankfulness that the Government and Lawyers got involved.

Re:Crucial Differences Between Gov and MMOGs

[MoebiusStreet]

I don't think what we really need is perfection in a system of "tyranny by the majority". I don't care how many people want something, government should make decisions based on RIGHT and WRONG.

What we really need is a realtime feedback system to punish politicians and bureaucrats for flouting the Constitution.