It is unlikely that digital signatures will turn every policy decision into a plebiscite. However, digital signatures could have an impact on initiatives that require gathering signatures from registered voters, such as ballot initiatives and re-calls elections for elected officials. The long term effects of this on our democratic institutions remain to be seen. Frankly, it is impracticable for a mechanism such as this to be put in place to allow everyone to vote on virtually every initiative facing our country using the current practices. Digital signatures would be more effective for involving citizens in the actions of local governments, ie state, county, city, than in involving them in the actions before the US Congress. Most of the important laws that govern us should be handled by local governments any way. Maybe this will be a catalalyst for serious change in how our country creates laws. A change so profound that will render the unimaginitive, incompentent and incredibily short-sighted politicians who are elected year-after-year, obsolete. Or, maybe digital signatures will enable these politicians to gain greater control over us and use the Internet as a means for managing and regulating the minuta of our daily lives, ala Lawrence Lessig. Of course, if this is the end result, it will be in our 'best' interests.
OK, I'll try not to get too serious here. Let's do some thing about this. I am working on a political Web site that focuses on Internet issues, such as DMCA. We need to be efficacious in the political process. If government, at all levels, continues to attempt to come up with stupid laws and regs that will allow Microsoft to exert themselves as a hegemon, we need to organize and quickly communicate with lawmakers as to what they are to do. The site that I am working on will allow people to act quickly and decisively in directing public policy on important issues. If we don't do something, Lessig's warnings will come true, as evidenced by this crazy response by MS. What's next, Congress will be regulating the MIME types your browser can recognize? Legalize Napster! c0wp13
Re:Had to love the chick in the leather outfit...
on
X-Files FPS Episode
·
· Score: 1
This episode was clearly a missed opportunity. It could have been very cool. While everyone seems convinced of the anti-video game violence theme, I think Cris Carter was just taking advantage of the video game industry and how much value we place on entertainment as the back-drop for this episode. BTW, the episode about the Lone Gunman at the Vegas trade show did not run in my area. However, having seen it before, I agree... it's good.
Slashdot Mirror
It is unlikely that digital signatures will turn every policy decision into a plebiscite. However, digital signatures could have an impact on initiatives that require gathering signatures from registered voters, such as ballot initiatives and re-calls elections for elected officials. The long term effects of this on our democratic institutions remain to be seen. Frankly, it is impracticable for a mechanism such as this to be put in place to allow everyone to vote on virtually every initiative facing our country using the current practices. Digital signatures would be more effective for involving citizens in the actions of local governments, ie state, county, city, than in involving them in the actions before the US Congress. Most of the important laws that govern us should be handled by local governments any way. Maybe this will be a catalalyst for serious change in how our country creates laws. A change so profound that will render the unimaginitive, incompentent and incredibily short-sighted politicians who are elected year-after-year, obsolete. Or, maybe digital signatures will enable these politicians to gain greater control over us and use the Internet as a means for managing and regulating the minuta of our daily lives, ala Lawrence Lessig. Of course, if this is the end result, it will be in our 'best' interests.
OK, I'll try not to get too serious here. Let's do some thing about this. I am working on a political Web site that focuses on Internet issues, such as DMCA. We need to be efficacious in the political process. If government, at all levels, continues to attempt to come up with stupid laws and regs that will allow Microsoft to exert themselves as a hegemon, we need to organize and quickly communicate with lawmakers as to what they are to do. The site that I am working on will allow people to act quickly and decisively in directing public policy on important issues. If we don't do something, Lessig's warnings will come true, as evidenced by this crazy response by MS. What's next, Congress will be regulating the MIME types your browser can recognize? Legalize Napster! c0wp13
This episode was clearly a missed opportunity. It could have been very cool. While everyone seems convinced of the anti-video game violence theme, I think Cris Carter was just taking advantage of the video game industry and how much value we place on entertainment as the back-drop for this episode. BTW, the episode about the Lone Gunman at the Vegas trade show did not run in my area. However, having seen it before, I agree... it's good.