<div dir="ltr"><div>Hello all,</div><div><br></div><div>Just my quick 2 cents worth:</div><div><br></div><div>Even if two concepts are mutually exclusive, it doesn't mean that better trade-offs between them can be found. The security / convenience trade-off is a well known example. Just because at a fundamental level, you can't reconcile them both fully, it doesn't mean that you can't find better trade-offs, as we have seen with the improvement (admittedly often from a really low starting-point) of security AND convenience in software. <br><br></div><div>Paul.<br></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Wed, 11 Nov 2020 at 06:41, Zach Bastick <<a href="mailto:zach.bastick@gmail.com">zach.bastick@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><div>Hello,</div><div><br></div><div>Just to be clear here, I speak only for my track. Not the whole conference.<br></div><div><br></div><div>I disagree that "governance" and "liberatory ideas" are necessarily mutually exclusive, as I disagree that "governance" and "anarchism" are mutually exclusive. Perhaps this is a difference in terminology between us - I am using the term ‘governance’ here to signify the spectrum of relations that includes anarchism. After all, all forms of relation suppose political forces, and these might emerge naturally or organically, even if they are not explicitly decided by a collective (as they would be in a democracy). Indeed, the nature of ‘anarchic’ power relations have been the postulates of many classical thinkers about the human condition under ‘states of nature’, from Hobbes and to Locke, yes, but also from Proudhon to Bakunin.<br></div><div><br></div><div>I certainly understand the frustration with the work of political science in tech. However, a lot is left to be said about how innovations in government “keep building further structures of enslavement”, as Gramps wrote. What is the nature of this enslavement? How is it operationalized as a system? Is there any system of governance (including anarchism) that does not entail enslavement of some form? If so, which? If not, are we left to choose between the forms of enslavement to which we will be subject? How do we balance these with the positive externalities of “public choices”, to use David’s term, (yes, I assure you, there are some)? These are complex and nuanced issues. They are not only theoretical questions; they are practical questions, the answers to which determine the modes, experiences, and outcomes of our everyday existence. <br></div><div><br></div><div>I would be more hesitant than you are to classify our track as “yet another boring and wrong conference”. Certainly, it might end up being that way (this is a feature of conferences more generally). Yet it depends more on the types of contributions that we attract than my own intentions. Despite the accusation of being “guilty” – which we all are, to one extent or another - my throat is parched by the desire for truly inquisitive ideas about our modes of cohabitation and governance, and what these mean for our values, freedom, and self-actualization. <br></div><div><br></div><div>As such, I once again cordially invite all those interested in formulating a fundamental and critical scientific paper on technology and governance to submit to our track, under the hope that, as Lee wrote, one might “Think outside the box and good things can be allowed to happen”. Writing academic conference papers are not everyone’s idea of fun, but if it is your thing, have a go at it with me.</div><div><br></div><div>(and thanks for having me on the list)</div><div><br></div>Zach<br></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Tue, 10 Nov 2020 at 13:10, Lee Alley <<a href="mailto:lee@morganalley.com" target="_blank">lee@morganalley.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
  
    
  
  <div>
    <p>I think you misunderstand the nature of anarchy that may be being
      posited. The absence of government does not preclude, or
      necessitate the presence of violence or danger. Indeed some of the
      oldest participatory communities in the world (certain Swiss
      cantons) and some of the newest (eg. Somaliland) incorporate
      decentralised models of participatory shared responsibilities and
      contract-based services - sweep/pave/protect the streets and you
      get paid n-amount of [monetary value], and if they fail, or are
      disintermediated by competitors and/or societal changes, then they
      are replaced or fired*. No one thinks twice about this with their
      tech; yet somehow civic particpation is seen as precious requiring
      an immutable/eternal power structure.</p>
    <p>Think outside the box and good things can be allowed to happen.</p>
    <p>Greets to all,<br>
      Lee</p>
    <p>* Sometimes known as "anarcho-capitalism"</p>
    <p><br>
    </p>
    <div>On 10/11/2020 06:18, davidicus wrote:<br>
    </div>
    <blockquote type="cite">
      
      <div dir="ltr">
        <div dir="ltr">
          <div dir="ltr"><font size="4">Dear Gramps, <br>
            </font></div>
          <div dir="ltr"><font size="4"><br clear="all">
            </font>
            <div>
              <div dir="ltr">
                <div dir="ltr">
                  <div>
                    <div dir="ltr">
                      <div>
                        <div dir="ltr">
                          <div>
                            <div dir="ltr">
                              <div>
                                <div dir="ltr">
                                  <div>
                                    <div dir="ltr">
                                      <div>
                                        <div dir="ltr">
                                          <div>
                                            <div dir="ltr">
                                              <div>
                                                <div dir="ltr">
                                                  <div>
                                                    <div dir="ltr">
                                                      <div>
                                                        <div dir="ltr">
                                                          <div><font size="4" face="Tunga,Sans-Serif">That
                                                          the American
                                                          public has
                                                          reached a
                                                          stage of
                                                          (de)evolution
                                                          to the point
                                                          where some
                                                          folks see
                                                          "guns" somehow
                                                          as
                                                          "liberatory"
                                                          and not see
                                                          that their
                                                          society (and
                                                          government)
                                                          has amassed
                                                          the largest
                                                          military in
                                                          history aided
                                                          and abetted by
                                                          the armaments
                                                          and security
                                                          complexes
                                                          (including
                                                          said gun
                                                          manufacturers),
                                                          once again
                                                          illustrates
                                                          the
                                                          contradictions
                                                          of
                                                          (communicative)
                                                          capitalism.  <br>
                                                          </font></div>
                                                          <div><font size="4" face="Tunga,Sans-Serif"><br>
                                                          </font></div>
                                                          <div><font size="4" face="Tunga,Sans-Serif">"Muskets
                                                          vs. Military
                                                          Style Assault
                                                          Rifles" or
                                                          "Guns vs.
                                                          Butter" are
                                                          questions of
                                                          and about
                                                          governance,
                                                          governmentality,
                                                          public policy
                                                          and yes, too,
                                                          at times
                                                          "market
                                                          failure"
                                                          (whether on
                                                          questions of
                                                          Pandemic,
                                                          Climate Change
                                                          or Digital
                                                          Divides). Such
                                                          are the myriad
                                                          ways in which
                                                          public choices
                                                          are also about
                                                          governance,
                                                          governmentality
                                                          and the
                                                          demos.  To
                                                          suggest that
                                                          anarchy is
                                                          only about
                                                          non-governance
                                                          strikes me as
                                                          a type of
                                                          magical
                                                          thinking
                                                          particularly
                                                          in a global
                                                          system of
                                                          nation-states,
                                                          firms,
                                                          communities
                                                          that have
                                                          elected or
                                                          appointed
                                                          governmentalities
                                                          and modes /
                                                          models of
                                                          governance.  A
                                                          co-operative,
                                                          credit union,
                                                          school board
                                                          or voluntary
                                                          fire fighters
                                                          team all have
                                                          employed modes
                                                          of governance,
                                                          just as larger
                                                          geographic
                                                          entities
                                                          have.  All can
                                                          potentially be
                                                          corrupt or
                                                          corrupted, but
                                                          to somehow
                                                          imagine that
                                                          the baby
                                                          should be
                                                          thrown out in
                                                          the name of
                                                          'anarchy'
                                                          seems to be a
                                                          problematic
                                                          reading from
                                                          the political
                                                          right or
                                                          libertarian
                                                          techies.  <br>
                                                          </font></div>
                                                          <div><font size="4" face="Tunga,Sans-Serif"><br>
                                                          </font></div>
                                                          <div><font size="4" face="Tunga,Sans-Serif">Kind
                                                          Regards,</font></div>
                                                          <div><font face="Tunga,Sans-Serif"><font size="4">~david</font><br>
                                                          </font></div>
                                                          <div>
                                                          <div name="divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-family:Calibri,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;margin:0px">
                                                          <hr> <font face="Symbol,'Segoe
UI',Tahoma,Sans-Serif"><b>David Sadoway </b> PhD  MRM  BES(Hons)<br>
                                                          Faculty &
                                                          Instructor. <i>Geography
                                                          & The
                                                          Environment. </i><br>
                                                          </font></div>
                                                          <div name="divtagdefaultwrapper" style="margin:0px"><font face="Symbol,'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Sans-Serif">Kwantlen
                                                          Polytechnic
                                                          University.</font></div>
                                                          <div name="divtagdefaultwrapper" style="margin:0px"><font size="2" face="Symbol,'Segoe
                                                          UI',Tahoma,Sans-Serif"><a href="https://www.kpu.ca/arts/geography/faculty/david-sadoway" target="_blank">https://www.kpu.ca/arts/geography/faculty/david-sadoway
                                                          </a></font></div>
                                                          <font face="Symbol,'Segoe
UI',Tahoma,Sans-Serif"><font size="2"><a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David_Sadoway" target="_blank">https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David_Sadoway</a> </font></font>
                                                          <span lang="EN-US">
                                                          <span lang="EN-US"><span></span></span></span>
                                                          <div name="divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-family:Calibri,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;margin:0px"> <font size="1"><i>KPU
                                                          is located on
                                                          the </i><i>unceded
                                                          lands &
                                                          waters of the
Kwantlen, Katzie, Musqueum, Tsawwassen, Semihamoo, Qayqayt, Sto:Lo and
                                                          Kwikwetlen
                                                          Peoples.  <br>
                                                          </i></font></div>
                                                          </div>
                                                        </div>
                                                      </div>
                                                    </div>
                                                  </div>
                                                </div>
                                              </div>
                                            </div>
                                          </div>
                                        </div>
                                      </div>
                                    </div>
                                  </div>
                                </div>
                              </div>
                            </div>
                          </div>
                        </div>
                      </div>
                    </div>
                  </div>
                </div>
              </div>
            </div>
          </div>
          <br>
        </div>
        <br>
        <div class="gmail_quote">
          <div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Mon, 9 Nov 2020 at 21:32,
            grarpamp <<a href="mailto:grarpamp@gmail.com" target="_blank">grarpamp@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
          </div>
          <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">> <a href="http://dgsociety.org/dgo-2021/call-for-proposals/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://dgsociety.org/dgo-2021/call-for-proposals/</a><br>
            <br>
            > liberatory ideas<br>
            > government (or governance)<br>
            <br>
            These are mutually exclusive.<br>
            <br>
            > governance<br>
            > anarchic<br>
            <br>
            These are mututally exclusive.<br>
            <br>
            > Digital Government Research<br>
            > innovations in digital politics and government<br>
            <br>
            Permanent lifelong intergenerational databases<br>
            of all lives, transactions, words, thoughts, love,<br>
            DNA, surveillance, spying, lightswitch digital control<br>
            of the "misinformation" that is your mind and body,<br>
            censorship, rampant media bias, forced lockdown and<br>
            inoculation, license logon and permission required<br>
            for all daily activities including authenticating to<br>
            your toilet bowl for the morning piss, checkpointed<br>
            biometric embedded body tags, papers please travel,<br>
            encryption bans, firearm bans, 6G reporting in realtime,<br>
            facial gait voice analysis, web bugs, NSA, GovCorp in<br>
            everything you do, and much much more you despots<br>
            have yet to dream up, beyond all above which you've<br>
            already implemented.<br>
            <br>
            > models of governance<br>
            <br>
            All such in all symposiums on same on this so called
            "liberation"<br>
            list in recent years have all been, disgustingly, about how
            to keep<br>
            building further structures of enslavement over other
            harmless humans<br>
            who've done nothing to you, through forcing yourself and
            your will over<br>
            them, ultimately under threat of death. You are guilty.<br>
            <br>
            <br>
            So for remainder of this month, instead of titillating
            yourselves<br>
            over yet another such boring and wrong conference...<br>
            go search, read, and watch...<br>
            <br>
            Voluntaryism, Libertarian, peace love and Anarchism,<br>
            Taxation is Theft, War is Murder, Austrian Economics / Free
            Markets,<br>
            Bitcoin documentaries, Anarcho Capitalism, Non Aggression
            Principle,<br>
            Natural Law, etc... and yes, even...<br>
            > crypto-anarchism<br>
            <br>
            Anything but yet more forcing yourself over others via non<br>
            "liberatory ideas" scam of "democracy" and digital
            govern[ment|nance].<br>
            <br>
            Then come back and talk about what actions of ungovernance<br>
            need done towards reaching living in an actual state of
            liberation.<br>
            <br>
            Because what's being talked 100:1 on this list has<br>
            absolutely not been actual liberation, nor even tech,<br>
            but more politically entrenched systems of GovCorp<br>
            power and control.<br>
            <br>
            That's very bad.<br>
            For you.<br>
            And your children.<br>
            And you know it.<br>
            <br>
            -- <br>
            Liberationtech is public & archives are searchable from
            any major commercial search engine. Violations of list
            guidelines will get you moderated: <a href="https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/lt" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/lt</a>.
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        </div>
      </div>
      <br>
      <fieldset></fieldset>
    </blockquote>
  </div>

-- <br>
Liberationtech is public & archives are searchable from any major commercial search engine. Violations of list guidelines will get you moderated: <a href="https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/lt" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/lt</a>. Unsubscribe, change to digest mode, or change password by emailing <a href="mailto:lt-owner@lists.liberationtech.org" target="_blank">lt-owner@lists.liberationtech.org</a>.</blockquote></div>
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Liberationtech is public & archives are searchable from any major commercial search engine. Violations of list guidelines will get you moderated: <a href="https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/lt" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">https://lists.ghserv.net/mailman/listinfo/lt</a>. Unsubscribe, change to digest mode, or change password by emailing <a href="mailto:lt-owner@lists.liberationtech.org" target="_blank">lt-owner@lists.liberationtech.org</a>.</blockquote></div>