Les Blogs: technology and democracy

Here is my favorite image of the Les Blogs conference: this cartoon drawn on the back of my namecard by Hugh McLeod.  I have enjoyed his blog tremendously since I discovered it a year and a half ago or so. He nails it on the head when it comes to the future of marketing, micro-branding and personal branding. During his panel Tuesday he talked about how blogs enable us to free our personal image or "personal brand" from the identities of the companies and organizations we work for. As he put it: "We have these identities that transcend our jobs, which is very good because most jobs suck." 

David Sifry of Technorati said: "The internet is starting to be used in a new way and we need a new metaphor to better describe the way we use the web."

He described the web as no longer a succession of pages but a "conversation stream" or "event stream," enabling individuals and companies to enter into a more direct conversation. "In next 10 years the whole idea of the consumer economy will shift and we'll be calling it a participant economy." He also believes a new model of civics will emerge as a result of this transformation. Citizens' media, says Salim Ismail of PubSub, sitting on his right, makes it "impossible for corporations to manage their message." 

They're right. Companies - and increasingly I believe governments - can no longer control their messages. Their employees' reputations and identities (and thus market value) are less dependent on employers. Citizens' identities may also become more independent of their governments' national "branding."

Ben Hammersley gave a very provocative talk about the future. (Provocative not only because he was wearing a kilt!) He believes "We are on the tipping point of the next step in the evolution of human society." Ethan blogged an excellent summary of it here.

I must admit, I don't believe that technology - or anything else for that matter - is going to enable human beings to transcend our fundamentally flawed human nature. I tend to feel that we're better off if we plan for the future based on the assumption that human capacity for evil and stupidity will remain pretty much constant, and then make sure to build in the requisite institutions and systems to protect ourselves from the dark side of our own nature.

Yat Siu of Outblaze made some really good points about how a lot of these conferences make assumptions about the future of technology based on the assumption that it will emerge from a Western cultural context - which is a wrong assumption, given that soon the largest group of internet users in the world will be Chinese, and given that Northeast Asian companies and consumers will increasingly be driving information technologies of the future.
In our Monday afternoon media & blogging panel, both Ethan and I raised the point that you can't assume that a more democratic society will result just because blogs have emerged. Censorship technologies can be baked into the software and hardware, and people in some online communities exercise a great deal of self-censorship. You also see waves of nationalism and polarization emerging in some blogospheres, which can lead to tyrannies of the majority and herd mentalities -  which are not particularly conducive to democratic discourse.

Yes, I agree that information technology and citizens' media are powerful tools - that's why I quit my job in TV to build an international blogging community. World-changing things can be done with these tools. But I believe that truly world-changing solutions can only be the result of concerted human efforts to be less selfish and evil. We cannot sit back and expect technology to do our work for us. If we want the world to be better, we must reach out to other human beings outside our immediate comfortable circle. And human effort - assisted by technology - is ultimately what Global Voices is all about.

(final photo by "altaide")

Comments

[Narnia Nerd]

human capacity for evil and stupidity will remain pretty much constant

Amen to that thought! I'm glad someone else agrees with this.

[Jacques Froissant (Altaide)]

Thanks Rebecca for the citation.

[Deborah Atwood]

Dear Citizens we need your help please send this to everybody you know---please post on message boards---please blog and ask others to do the same!

The people are having their say and rights shut down in southwest Missouri and we need to let everyone know what is going on!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. We are going to get new job opportunities to southwest Missouri.

Please send us your comments so we can post to our website:

[email protected]

www.technologypark2006.org

Technology Park turned in!

I attended the Springfield City Council on Monday August 7, 2006 and turned in 177 signatures totaling 1291 citizens’ signatures for the Technology Park Petition.
A press release went to the local Springfield press two days prior. For some reason little press was at the meeting. The Springfield News-Leader used to publish the entire City Agenda the day of in the paper. Now they just do a story the day before when “they” feel an issue is important enough for ink. Maybe we should have gotten several members of the local media to sign the petition. Would have this made it more news worthy?
Please contact Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting at: http://www.fair.org/ and ask them what they think. A media cover-up?

The cities website under agenda of the meeting says:
29. PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES, AND COMMUNICATIONS.
30. Mr. Steven Reed wishes to address City Council. Mr. Reed spoke about his desire to start a technology park with an initiative petition for a sales tax. I see this as a citizen’s issue. It is not about my or Mr. Reed’s quote desires. It is about the people rights and desires.
We are a grass roots group that believes we need more job opportunities in the Springfield area. We ask people to look at the website www.technologypark2006.org and look at examples of some of the 600 technology parks worldwide and let us know of what kind of companies’ people would like to see and help with the business plan it they want to. We hope to show the local, state, and nation that the people can vote on economic issues and their destiny!
A new law SB 1155 was signed by Governor on 07/08/04 which allows Springfield, and Joplin to impose a sales tax for economic development. It is a The Technology Park issue if passed would be a one year sales tax of ¼ of 1% which sunsets and ends after one year and should generate 8 to 12 million dollars to help establish the organizational structure of the Technology Park. With a yes vote of the people we will receive state and federal economic assistance just as other technology parks across the United States are.
I asked to speak but the Mayor said I was not scheduled. What I was going to say was:
I, Deborah Atwood, reside in Springfield, Missouri. I know I am not on the list to speak but I would like to say that I have helped gather the signatures and people are very passionate that we get new job opportunities in the city of Springfield. We have met people all over Springfield that would like to be able to vote on this economic issue of bringing some new technology jobs and opportunities to Springfield. I ask that you allow the citizens not only what they want, but their right to vote on their economic destinies. This is the pillar and the principle that our great nation stands on. This is my honor to impart this to you from the citizens of Springfield.

Deborah J. Atwood Springfield, Missouri

________________________________________________________________________

Please watch for the Technology Park story coming out in tomorrow’s paper:

Springfield’s Community Free Press --- http://www.cfpmidweek.com/

Please send a thank you to [email protected]
Publisher Breck Lanngsford

________________________________________________________________________
Please send comments asking for stories to:
________________________________________________________________________
Contact a Reuters Editor
Our editors are interested in your comments. Please send us your feedback on Reuters news or photos.
http://today.reuters.com/HelpAndInfo/ContactUs.aspx
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www.ky3.com
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If you have a news tip or a press release, please contact us at [email protected] or [email protected] http://www.upi.com/ United Press International

Editorial Staff
Our worldwide Editorial staff is interested in hearing your comments.
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We ask people to look at the website www.technologypark2006.org and look at examples of some of the 600 technology parks worldwide and let us know of what kind of companies’ people would like to see and help with the business plan it they want to.

PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO TO HELP KEEP THE CAMPAIGN GOING!

Power to the People---Power to the People Right On! ---John Lennon

[Steven Reed]

Breaking News News-Leader

http://www.ozarksnow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060825/BREAKING01/60825010

http://www.ozarksnow.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage

August 25, 2006

I Steven L. Reed am asking State Attorney General Jay Nixon, State Auditor Claire McCaskill, and Robin Carnahan to take a look at possible Sunshine Law Violations and Election Process Violations. VIA this e-mail

I ask that the following letter be reviewed. I also am considering filling a Missouri Ethics Complaint based on the fact that the City of Springfield had large signs and literature telling of all the Park Projects that have been completed. Paid for by the City of Springfield, Thomas J. Carlson, Mayor. This was done in the August election.
They have been using this practice for years and they say it does not say how to vote---it is just information. How can we live in a country where the law says cities can not campaign for or against and issue?—and let this go?

Better yet---what about Cities that will not let the citizens VOTE on issues of importance to them?
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City Council Summary - August 7, 2006

PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES, AND COMMUNICATIONS.

Steven Reed Mr. Steven Reed addressed City Council on the issue of a technology park. Mr. Reed presented a petition involving the issue.

Mayor Carlson stated that the Law Department would advise Council on the appropriate response to the petitions.

City Council Summary - August 21, 2006
25. PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES, AND COMMUNICATIONS.
26. Mr. Bob Mondy wishes to address City Council. Mr. Mondy spoke about mercury poisoning.
Deborah (last name not available) She spoke in favor of technology parks.
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Note: Deborah Atwood requested by phone and even gave her first, last and mailing address at e beginning of her speech. We have a tape of her speech which she did a very good job---very professional---please see below---it is a real slight and slap in the face to not even have the decency and respect to properly identify her.

The City of Springfield has created a “cover up of the issue” by not posting a press release on their website and to the media. The local media is aware of the issue and are participating in not letting the public be aware of the number of signatures that were turned in and for what reasons they were denied. The City law staff has the time and money to “make up” whatever reasons they want not to allow petitions to cause an election. The City has denied 1291 people the possible right to vote on the Technology Park issue.
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RSMo CHAPTER 610:
Governmental bodies and records
Index
Public governmental bodies and quasi-public governmental bodies
610.027. Violations — remedies, procedure, penalty — validity of actions by governing bodies in violation — governmental bodies may seek interpretation of law, attorney general to provide.
610.027. Violations — remedies, procedure, penalty — validity of actions by governing bodies in violation — governmental bodies may seek interpretation of law, attorney general to provide.
5. Upon a finding by a preponderance of the evidence that a public governmental body has violated any provision of sections 610.010 to 610.026, a court shall void any action taken in violation of sections 610.010 to 610.026, if the court finds under the facts of the particular case that the public interest in the enforcement of the policy of sections 610.010 to 610.026 outweighs the public interest in sustaining the validity of the action taken in the closed meeting, record or vote. Suit for enforcement shall be brought within one year from which the violation is ascertainable and in no event shall it be brought later than two years after the violation. This subsection shall not apply to an action taken regarding the issuance of bonds or other evidence of indebtedness of a public governmental body if a public hearing, election or public sale has been held regarding the bonds or evidence of indebtedness.
1. 6. A public governmental body which is in doubt about the legality of closing a particular meeting, record or vote may bring suit at the expense of that public governmental body in the circuit court of the county of the public governmental body's principal place of business to ascertain the propriety of any such action, or seek a formal opinion of the attorney general or an attorney for the governmental body.
[ back to top ]
610.028. Legal defense of members of governmental bodies, when — written policy on release of information required — persons reporting violations exempt from liability and discipline.
610.028. Legal defense of members of governmental bodies, when — written policy on release of information required — persons reporting violations exempt from liability and discipline.
1. 1. Any public governmental body may provide for the legal defense of any member charged with a violation of sections 610.010 to 610.030.
2. 2. Each public governmental body shall provide a reasonable written policy in compliance with sections 610.010 to 610.030, open to public inspection, regarding the release of information on any meeting, record or vote and any member or employee of the public governmental body who complies with the written policy is not guilty of a violation of the provisions of sections 610.010 to 610.030 or subject to civil liability for any act arising out of his adherence to the written policy of the agency.
3. 3. No person who in good faith reports a violation of the provisions of sections 610.010 to 610.030 is civilly liable for making such report, nor, if such a person is an officer or employee of a public governmental body, may such person be demoted, fired, suspended or otherwise disciplined for making such report.
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Sheriff Jack Merritt ran a petition drive concerning the serving of alcohol in night clubs in down town Springfield. When Merritt turned them in all the media covered the issue. Does that mean that issue is more important than job creation?
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John Lennon said Power to the People. On Monday August 7, 2006 myself and Deborah Atwood turned in signatures totaling 1291 citizens’ signatures for the Technology Park Petition, please see www.technologypark2006.org Citizens are asked to give input on what kind of companies they would like to see come to Springfield. It is a citizen led effort.

In 2001 signatures were turned in and the city said sales tax was not allowed by the City Charter and Technology Parks were allowed under state law. The issue would be a sales tax of ¼ of 1% which sunsets after one year and should generate 8 to 12 million dollars to establish the organizational structure of the Technology Park. With a yes vote of the people state and federal economic assistance should be available like other technology parks across the United States. The Second Industrial Park which is mostly vacant could be used.

SB 1155 signed by the Governor on 07/08/04 allows Springfield, and Joplin to impose a sales tax for economic development. State law supersedes local law, (city charter from 1991 says ordinances cannot appropriate money), the city could place such an issue on the ballot and they should extend that right to the people. The city has swept it under the rug with no public discussion and the local media has stood silent. Some people not happy about higher paying jobs may lose some sleep when such prospects seem to be creeping into the area.

In 2001 I told the city council that using taxpayer money to keep issues off the ballot is wrong and that Claire McCaskill would ride her horse to town. I started the audit and then Doug Burlison, the Police, fire fighters, and others joined to get 7,000 of the 5,000 needed to have it certified as the largest citizen audit of a city in Missouri’s history. A lot of e-mails and calls will be directed to Reuters and UPI world news groups this if the city refuses to act.

Springfield people being allowed to vote on bringing new technology jobs and opportunities to Springfield? We can keep submitting petitions until we are blue in the face or until the City does it job and puts the issue the ballot. The United States has several wars going under the guise of “Democracy” for the people. I wonder what John Lennon would say if he was with us?

Steven L. Reed
Springfield, Missouri

Good evening esteemed town council members. I Am Deborah Atwood 1441 S Estate Avenue, Springfield, Missouri, 65804.

I stand in front of you tonight trying my best to represent about 1/10th of Springfield, Missouri registered voters’ desires on the technology park issue. This is certainly not about me but about expressing the peoples’ wishes for their rights to be heard concerning their desires for better jobs and higher wages.

Technology parks are a strategy to restructure and refocus the economy from decreasing manufacturing and industrial concentrations into other sections of employment. Technology parks will keep economy going when industrial parks are declining. A research park may be perceived as an insurance policy to maintain levels of employment, as well as carry economy into the next century. Research parks have been defined by Luger & Goldstein in 1991 as “organizational entities that sell or lease spatially contiguous land and/or buildings to businesses or other organizations whose principal activities are based on applied research or development of new products or processes.”

The 1st industrial park was the Central Manufacturing District in Chicago in 1905. The idea of concentrated industries in one location caught on in the U.S. after World War II. These parks have advantages which are close to universities, so if Hammons, Height or Morris wants a share please invite them!

The AURRP reported December 1993, 4000 companies were located in 133 research or science parks nationally employing 225,000 workers in over 100 million square feet of space. In 1998, the number has increased to over 200 Science & Technological parks in the United States. State and local governments are investing many dollars into this economic development strategy in the hopes of creating jobs, expanding the corporate tax base, creating a name for a region to keep from losing our competitive edge globally and to compete in the “information age”. There is a research park in every state in the Union. Japan has developed 3,269 industrial parks since 1992.

Springfield has a challenge to meet as the 3rd largest city boasting of universities, where Kansas City and Saint Louis have Science and Technology parks, we have NONE. These parks allow for incubators which allow new company start-ups that create new processes and products to make lives easier for people. It is no secret we are losing our competitive edge globally. Ask the money people to join in on this effort. We could use the 2nd industrial park near the airport and change it into a Technology park.

I am delivering material for you to read including the great success of Ft. Leonard Wood’s research park. Included in the hand-outs I present are the types of businesses Technology parks foster and there are over 40 click-on sites of technology parks on the website www.technologypark2006.org
please visit this site. These technology parks are designed to facilitate the production and commercialization of advanced technologies by forging synergies among research centers, educational institutions and technology based companies.

As Tatjana Fink stated “Companies such as ours that operate on the global market must ensure constant, recurrent excellence. It is not enough to simply adapt to the changes. We must also ourselves create change, if we wish to achieve long-term success in global competition.”

You can do this council with two words—Do It! Please tell me how you can do this – no taxes but maybe by ordinance or a ballot vote of the people. I am willing to help you and educate you by answering questions.

Let’s have a forum or a meeting…..What do you say Council?

Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow….Don’t stop- It will soon be here. Yesterday’s gone…Yesterday’s gone.

John Lennon Power to the People audio

END