Technology Liberation Front - Latest Comments in Lessig on Building a Better Bureaucrat

Re: Lessig on Building a Better Bureaucrat

Brett Glass — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 22:50:20 -0000

Hmmm. Isn't the assertion that "you can't fix DNA" a racist remark?

In any event, it's interesting that Lessig first calls for an end to unnecessary regulation and then, almost immediately, calls for "network neutrality" legislation. I guess Google is paying him well.

Re: Lessig on Building a Better Bureaucrat

Your industry informationguide — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:29:07 -0000

With so many things going wrong, there is a need for better governance and bureaucrats. But then, it again depends on people coming together to voice their opinions and form string bonds for the betterment of the world.

Re: Lessig on Building a Better Bureaucrat

eee_eff — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:19:37 -0000

Now, I certainly realize how unpopular this will be to some, but if you believe in the plain text of the Constitution then you should respect the right of citizens (including corporate entities) to petition (i.e., “lobby”)

Silly.

First, citizens do not equal corporations.
See:http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3...

Second, lobbying is very different from petitioning.

Re: Lessig on Building a Better Bureaucrat

ReACTIONary — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:13:13 -0000

One aspect of this issue you don't seem to get... the American people want, and expect, and demand, that the government regulate commercial activity. And that includes commercial as well as consumer interests. All for very good reason.

So the progressive vision of a "scientific" or "professional" bureaucracy is hopelessly idealistic and utopian? And what is it that you propose to fill the demand? The hopelessly idealistic and utopian ideology of "free markets"? On the reality index, Lessig is way ahead of you.

Re: Lessig on Building a Better Bureaucrat

JimLakely — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 19:13:58 -0000

Great post, as usual, Adam. I must say that I was intrigued to see numerous links and attention paid to Lessig call to "blow up" the FCC. The quick summaries of Lessig's thesis seemed to hint at a healthy libertarian viewpoint (after all, what is more libertarian than blowing up a federal agency.)

Alas, Lessig's idea is to blow up the FCC and replace it with an even more focused and aggressive government bureaucracy. I'd prefer a status-quo incompetent FCC to a new regulatory regime. And I'm continually tickled by the "progressive" assumption that only government bureaucrats are objective and competent enough to know what's best for the public. By default, that is, anyone with "industry ties" works against the public interest -- and the public (the market) is powerless to affect the technology world.

Rubbish. If Lessig is genuinely interested in improving the Net experience for the public, he ought to be in favor of blowing up the FCC and using his influence to push the market to adopt his preferred policies. It's certainly a more honest, and probably quicker, road.

Re: Lessig on Building a Better Bureaucrat

bradencox — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 14:05:54 -0000

Wayne Crews and I proposed a pragmatic plan to strip most functions from the FCC in a paper we wrote a few years ago. In Communications without Commissions, we say the FCC of the near future should focus solely on spectrum, getting spectrum into the marketplace and resolving interference disputes. Three steps for reform:

1. Restrict FCC jurisdiction so that it can't regulate IP-based services
2. Eliminate economic regulation and divest social policy goals
3. Restructure the FCC and Reform Spectrum

We're at a pivotal time now, and policymakers should not perpetuate and generate new rationalizations for FCC oversight of communications. It's time for a true reformer.

Re: Lessig on Building a Better Bureaucrat

cordblomquist — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 19:42:50 -0000

Is there any way to get Professor Lessig to respond to this sort of critique? I'd love to read a dialogue between Lee/Thierer and Lessig.

Re: Lessig on Building a Better Bureaucrat

Seth Finkelstein — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 15:07:27 -0000

Adam, as I commented on Lessig's post, I thought his argument was particularly interesting for being aimed in a Libertarian direction, as an intellectual construct.

What I didn't say, was that I thought it wouldn't work. Same problem as his _Eldred_ argument. The law professor arguing from abstraction, neglecting that in reality the theory is just in the service of the practice of business-worship. He'd likely just get mad at me then, for being too cynical.

Thanks for providing me with proof. 1/2 :-)

Re: Lessig on Building a Better Bureaucrat

Jim Harper — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:15:04 -0000

Nice post, Adam. There seems to be a theme around here lately - whether the Progressive-era ideal of "scientific government" actually began to die when Stephen Breyer admitted its failure, or whether it just went into hiding for a while.

Re: Lessig on Building a Better Bureaucrat

Jim Harper — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:07:16 -0000

What kind of insane person posts at TLF on Christmas eve? And what kind of jackass comments on Ch- nevermind.

Merry Christmas, everyone!