Firstly, a vote should be cast on broader issues, not just the stance a particular politician takes on technology.
Secondly, over here in the UK, it's my view that when politicians do take an interest in the Net and related technologies, you get some pretty bad legislation. The Regulatory Investigatory Powers Bill requiring ISPs to install, at their own cost, the equipment that would enable law enforcement to monitor e-mail traffic. Such legislation indicates a woeful lack of understanding about the Net, and indicates a desire to pander to every half cocked panic about the Net that journalists dream up.
Your'e best hope is that US politicians don't start to take too much of an interest in the Net until they fully understand it. More importantly, hope they have the independence of thought to resist the urge to pander to the panic merchants with intrusive and damagng legislation.
Dave
Re:Coherent political values?
on
Selfish Society
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· Score: 1
I've never been one for believing that any profession has ever had a coherrent political outlook - this is way too simplistic. Given the diversity of the people who work in hi-tech (I'm talking globally, not just about Silicon Valley), it's safe to say that a wide variety of views are going to abound.
The only view that is likely to be held in common is an optimism about the future and a belief in technlogy. Sadly in the current, anti science and anti progress climate, being in possession of the above two values is all too likely to result in being a social pariah in too many circles.
Lastly, if people in the high tech sector are deemed to have no interest in politics, maybe that's because there is nothing left in politics to inspire anyone. Politicians have no vision anymore of how to take society forward - all they want to do is minimise risk and maintain stasis. Given this uninspiring political climate, it's no wonder that technology is seen as a potential source of adventure and inspiration, in spite of a society that is ever more fearful of progress.
I use Macs in my workplace where I work as a graphic artist. The Mac user interface is ideal because it allows me to do my job of producing artwork without having to worry too much about the technology behind it - to be honest, with the deadlines I have to work to, I don't have the time.
However, Mac user though I am, I think there are too many Mac users who are too precious about what they use. Sure it's great for some purposes. But I can understand that anyone who is up to speed on computer technology will find the Mac interface limiting.
There is a trade off between utility and ease of use. I've chosen ease of use because it suits the way I work. That is not going to suit everyone, and the development of an interface which offers more power to the user but requires a bit more work and understanding from the user is fine by me.
Getting away from a one size fits all mentality and developing interfaces which can be customised to suit the needs and level of expertise of the user is a useful step forward.
Slashdot Mirror
Firstly, a vote should be cast on broader issues, not just the stance a particular politician takes on technology.
Secondly, over here in the UK, it's my view that when politicians do take an interest in the Net and related technologies, you get some pretty bad legislation. The Regulatory Investigatory Powers Bill requiring ISPs to install, at their own cost, the equipment that would enable law enforcement to monitor e-mail traffic. Such legislation indicates a woeful lack of understanding about the Net, and indicates a desire to pander to every half cocked panic about the Net that journalists dream up.
Your'e best hope is that US politicians don't start to take too much of an interest in the Net until they fully understand it. More importantly, hope they have the independence of thought to resist the urge to pander to the panic merchants with intrusive and damagng legislation.
Dave
I've never been one for believing that any profession has ever had a coherrent political outlook - this is way too simplistic. Given the diversity of the people who work in hi-tech (I'm talking globally, not just about Silicon Valley), it's safe to say that a wide variety of views are going to abound.
The only view that is likely to be held in common is an optimism about the future and a belief in technlogy. Sadly in the current, anti science and anti progress climate, being in possession of the above two values is all too likely to result in being a social pariah in too many circles.
Lastly, if people in the high tech sector are deemed to have no interest in politics, maybe that's because there is nothing left in politics to inspire anyone. Politicians have no vision anymore of how to take society forward - all they want to do is minimise risk and maintain stasis. Given this uninspiring political climate, it's no wonder that technology is seen as a potential source of adventure and inspiration, in spite of a society that is ever more fearful of progress.
Dave
However, Mac user though I am, I think there are too many Mac users who are too precious about what they use. Sure it's great for some purposes. But I can understand that anyone who is up to speed on computer technology will find the Mac interface limiting.
There is a trade off between utility and ease of use. I've chosen ease of use because it suits the way I work. That is not going to suit everyone, and the development of an interface which offers more power to the user but requires a bit more work and understanding from the user is fine by me.
Getting away from a one size fits all mentality and developing interfaces which can be customised to suit the needs and level of expertise of the user is a useful step forward.