Reason Interviews Michael Powell

Phlinn writes "In the Reason interview with Michael Powell, it is possible to develop a clearer understanding of the FCC's recent actions. It would appear that despite recent actions, he's not the pro censorship icon many people think. Beware of actions based on a "greater good" however."

Comments

Watch what he does, not what he says he is doing..

[QuietLagoon]

It would appear that despite recent actions, he's not the pro censorship icon many people think.

He is known for saying one thing that he thinks you want to hear, then doing the opposite that he had intended to do all along.

Umm...

[Deviant Q]

This quote just made me pause and re-read it, because it was so totally wrong.

Reason: What about the price consumers are bearing by having government regulation of electronic equipment, like the broadcast flag for Hollywood? Powell: Specifically what? Reason: The price of innovation being reduced by someone having to come and beg your agency for approval to implement a new consumer-friendly device like TiVo. Powell: I think the premise of your question is false. The notion that a complete laissez-faire deployment of equipment always will produce a quicker and more optimal, more innovative solution is not accurate. You wouldn't have a personal computer if there weren't a standard. You wouldn't have the production of content if there weren't protections for the creators of content.

Um... that standard was produced by IBM and Microsoft, without governmental standardization. It evolved in a totally laissez-faire market.