Deliberations

I'm very dirty on Google this morning.

I use Google Blogger to publish this weblog. Since my first post in December 2005, I have hosted my blog content in my own domain space. Thus I have my content fully rendered to archive as I wish.

On 26 March Google is withdrawing the support to publish-by-FTP, which for me has been a pivotal feature built in to their service. In future, Blogger can only serve from Google servers.

Their "solution"? Redirect my domain to their server. No.

It's been a good run, Google, but now you're fat and care-less. I'm looking for somebody new.

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Posted by rlubensky at 10:14 AM | Link | Comments

Some interesting views by some influential people in the Open Government space. Good low-budget video by UK consultancy Delib.

"Open Gov the Movie" - from Delib from Delib on Vimeo.

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Posted by rlubensky at 12:10 PM | Link | Comments

Terrific coverage on the American PBS network's flagship Newshour With Jim Lehrer (carried free-2-air by SBS Australia) of a Deliberative Poll (DP) conducted in Michigan in November 2009. The three-part broadcast illustrates very well how a deliberative process works and the good work it does. With the Deliberative Poll format you also get statistical evidence of the change in attitudes that occurs when a random selection of people inform themselves broadly about an issue, rather than cocooning themselves in their usual circles and informing themselves (if they did) through limited media channels. Entitled "Hard Times, Hard Choices", this public deliberation focussed on how the government and people of Michigan can get out of their economic and social crisis due to the GFC, closure of the auto industry and other causes. Against all popular polls, their deliberation led them to recommend raising sales and income taxes to pay for services and public investments that are specifically targeted to lift the place out of its mess.

I am thoroughly impressed with the production values of this video. They followed two tables of participants over the weekend event. During table conversation, one camera was on the speaker and two other cameras recorded the reactions of listeners. You can actually see participants affirm their own beliefs, awaken to new and different perspectives, and appreciate the impact of situations (eg. poverty) on others. Participants holding extreme views (eg. racism) were rebutted by others in a firm, civil manner—the ideas were challenged, not the individuals. At the end, so many of their comments about the deliberative process and how they behaved echoed what we witnessed at our Australian Citizens' Parliament. Such processes work, people can make sense and politicians should listen.

This isn't entertainment news—watching it requires effort. That's why its on PBS/SBS and not on commercial TV. Only politico-geeks like me would care to pay attention. So for all of Jim Fishkin's terrific efforts in organising DPs, the benefits of a deliberative approach are only given a small nudge towards the mainstream.

The event was sponsored by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation.

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Posted by rlubensky at 8:59 PM | Link | Comments

Just before Australia Day (26 Jan) each year, the peak industry body Meat and Livestock Australia lets former footy player Sam Kekovich outdo himself in an over-the-top ad to promote lamb consumption, with tongue firmly planted in cheek. Get your chops on, here is the 2010 version:

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Posted by rlubensky at 3:34 PM | Link | Comments

An important article in Federal Computer Week by Tim Bonnemann to inform public servants in the USA that the technocratic rush to Gov2.0 and its implied democratic ideals can learn from experienced public participation practitioners. The democratic legitimacy of crowd-sourcing is limited.

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Posted by rlubensky at 8:49 PM | Link | Comments