Technocracy: Yes/No?

[:) Smiley]

Alright, so having machines run the world may not be a good idea. However, every day the world gets more tech based. So, shouldn't it make sense that people who know how to deal with said machines govern?

Already the current lawyer-based system of government in the US is having major problems keeping up with the pace of technical advances.

[Asher]

I'd be okay with it if I could write the AI.

[Arnelos]

lord god, no

Engineers and CompSci's would rather likley be even worse at politics than the morons who say "I'm a businessman, not a politican" are

Don't get me wrong, most of my friends are engineers, CompSci's, pre-med's, and physical scientists, but (to a person), every last one of them would be completely lost if they were involved in politics... as with businessmen saying they "aren't politicians" running for public office, they'd get eaten alive by how much more vexing and difficult public policy is than they had naively took it for......

Now, as to whether our politicians should have some CLUE what a computer is and how to use it... well, yes, that would certainly help, wouldn't it?

[Skanky Burns]

Almost everyone knows how to deal with computers nowadays. Its required for most workplaces, even blue-collar jobs.

[superslug]

Considering that among the most elite skilled computer users are hackers and those who claim to be anarchists, I'm really not sure that founding a government off such individuals is even possible, much less feasible.

[General Ludd]

Originally posted by superslug
Considering that among the most elite skilled computer users are hackers and those who claim to be anarchists,

I originally wasn't for the idea, but now that you mention it...

[superslug]

Well, I suppose there would theoretically be some benefits. For one thing, government would be smaller. I also expect that free speech rights would be rather hearty and healthy. Monopolies would also disappear quickly, nor would there be inexplicable power outages.

Privacy would also be more secure, as the 'technocrats' would ensure the maximum levels of protection available, just so hacking would be more of a challenge, hence satisfying.

Taxes would no doubt go down, as the government could simply raid bank servers when in need of funding.

If a technocracy does appear on our horizon, however, I plan to invest heavily in antivirus company stock...

[Pekka]

Of course CompSci's should run the world. Goes without saying. And some day they will...

[Eli]

Yes. I dont really know why, but yes.

[Whaleboy]

Open source AI government where we elect the program.

[DaShi]

Originally posted by Skanky Burns
Almost everyone knows how to deal with computers nowadays. Its required for most workplaces, even blue-collar jobs.

Yeah, swearing and a quick kick to the chassis.

[Paddy]

make the people run to the high tech priests for peace, silver plates and honest work in the fields, sowing, weeding and reaping...



or we could just leave the citiesin ruins..... hahahahaha

[alva]

Originally posted by Skanky Burns
Almost everyone knows how to deal with computers nowadays. Its required for most workplaces, even blue-collar jobs.

You'd be surprised how many people still are completely computer illiterateare and they are not necesairly old folks either.

[MrFun]

Technocracy is a form of government for those who cannot get laid.

[Zkribbler]

On NPR this morning, they're carrying a story about new GPS-type computer chips that are down to about five cents each which are going to be incorporated into packaging.

On one hand, this will have a lot of advantages. When you get to the checkout stand at the supermarket, the store's computer will already know everything that's in your cart, and so getting through the checkout will be much faster. Losses because of shoplifting will become a thing of the past, lowering prices for the rest of us. Rather than paying hundreds of dollars for LoJack for your car, this system will cost a nickel.

On the other hand, do we really want computers --> computer systems --> government to know everything we have and its location? This pretty much throws the right of privacy out the window.

I'm not sure what the implication of all this is.

Maybe the question is: Is Big Brother a necessary component of the Information Age?