25 years ago, I chanced upon a book called Republic 2.0, by Cass Sunstein, and I wrote a fairly detailed critique of the concept that people would actually isolate themselves online and exacerbate tensions and conflict by participating in enclaves and not interacting with those who disagreed:
https://www.markwelchblog.com/2002/01/21/54
I was right, and I was wrong. What I missed: oligarchs and media operators would deliberately create propaganda silos to exploit people. Sunstein’s focus was on people making their own autonomous choices, but I didn’t recognize that aggressive evil people would deliberately seek the worse possible outcomes.
I also did not expect potentially “neutral” portals (Google, Facebook, Amazon, etc.) would themselves amplify and worsen the tendencies, for their own profit.
Illinois enacted an “Advertising-Nexus” tax law yesterday, triggering some serious negative consequences — while collecting no additional sales taxes. Here’s a quick summary of the law’s impact:
Read more »
One of the “Advertising Nexus” tax bills (pending in the California legislature) is scheduled for hearing tomorrow (Monday) in Sacramento. Yesterday, I found this editorial on the American Booksellers’ web site, and was annoyed enough to write this reply: Read more »
Everyone seems to be criticizing the search of a blogger’s home-office by a law-enforcement task force, following the blogger’s report (at Gizmodo.com) about an iPhone prototype, which he said he’d purchased from someone who found it in a bar.
While I’d love to join the chorus criticizing both Apple and law enforcement, I simply don’t have enough information to make a reasonable decision about the conduct of various parties. Read more »
Two news reports today pertain to “Law and Justice,” and I think both demonstrate fundamentally absurd views of law and justice. Read more »
I apologize that this particular “Perspective” is long and complex, but I could find no other way to write it. I hope you’ll be patient enough to read this one through. Read more »
(December 11, 1999) Oops. I was wrong.
For years, I have received emails from friends and strangers alike, urgently warning me about email viruses that could be triggered simply by reading an email message. Read more »
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