Is Social Media Good for Democracy

Last October 17, 2012 I attended an event called “Is Social Media Good for Democracy” which took place at the Isabel Bader Theatre in Toronto.

As a strong proponent of Open Government and a user of Social Media, I offer an emphatic “yes” to such a question...but, I wasn’t the one on stage. So, going into the event, I wondered whether or not my perspective would change...and here are my findings:

Distrust vs Hate

A PLEASANT CONVERSATION
So, I was having a lovely evening the other day with a bureaucrat who happens to have a certain level of security clearance. We got to discussing the rather adversarial elements of society and I mentioned that I have no reasons to trust the government.

Democracy & front-end alignments

VULNERABILITY
Like many people, I can't do my own oil changes, much less rebuild an engine. And like many people, I feel extraordinarily vulnerable whenever I bring my car to a mechanic.

What Open Government means to me

"Open Government" is more than just about Transparency, Engagement, and Accountability. It is more than just taking advantage of the tools technology has afforded us. It is more than just one vote every four years.

If you can't beat them, then beat them

Crowdsource this!

Gandhi once uttered "First they ignore you; then they laugh at you; then they fight you; then you win." It appears as though Canada Post has recently skipped one of those steps and went straight from ignoring to outright fighting.

Hitler reacts to Open Government and Open Data

I'm Right!...no, I'm Right!

THE ADVERSARIAL SYSTEM
Christians vs Muslims; Pro-Choice vs Pro-Life; Labour vs Management; Plaintiff vs Defendant; the Good Guys vs the Bad Guys.

Whichever way you cut it, Western Society (and quite possibly the entire planet...but, since I've only experienced Western Society, I won't make any pretenses of being knowledgeable on other societies) appears to love being separated into factions and then fighting over who is Right.