The free and open internet is saved! (for now)

[Zing]

But if the public is not fit to govern itself… how is it fit to elect someone to govern for them? The decision of who to put in power may require the same level of competence as "do you feel your internet provider should be able to decide what web pages you are allowed to view online, and at what price?"

I'll also quickly note that if government was limited to its only required role of provider of protection against external threats and defence of personal property, then direct democracy would be exponentially easier. Voting on something such as "net neutrality" wouldn't even occur. It would be left to the "invisible hand".

[MrPopo]

But if the public is not fit to govern itself… how is it fit to elect someone to govern for them? The decision of who to put in power may require the same level of competence as "do you feel your internet provider should be able to decide what web pages you are allowed to view online, and at what price?"

You don't need to understand specific issues to elect a representative; you can get by with understanding a candidate's general views and temperments. You can look at their track record and see if it aligns with what you like. It's not perfect but it probably gives things the greatest chance of success. I suppose another solution might be that you have to pass a short quiz that demonstrates you actually know what an issue is before you vote on it, but I doubt many people would be willing to go through that.

I'll also quickly note that if government was limited to its only required role of provider of protection against external threats and defence of personal property, then direct democracy would be exponentially easier. Voting on something such as "net neutrality" wouldn't even occur. It would be left to the "invisible hand".

Defence of personal property is an incredibly thorny issue. Sure, you have the basic stuff like not letting people break into my house and steal my shit, but what about IP rights? And assuming personal property includes your own body, how about abortion and suicide? Running the military is infinitely easier than running the justice system.

[Erik_Twice]

To me it's like a trial. Having an informed jury or judge that follows the process and understands all it's nuances and consistency requirements produces better results than asking the public if the defendant should be hanged.

Representation is not perfect but I can't phantom a better alternative. Same with democracy in general.

[Zing]

how about abortion and suicide?

Abortion and suicide both are clearly decisions left for the individual.

[MrPopo]

how about abortion and suicide?

Abortion and suicide both are clearly decisions left for the individual.

I don't disagree, but many other people do. So a government who enforces one way or another is not serving a large chunk of the population they way they want.

[BoringSupreez]

.

[MrPopo]

If ISPs were allowed to manipulate the internet as they pleased, I could see the internet becoming localized like radio stations. As in, the internet one got in St. Louis wouldn't be the same as what was offered in Salt Lake City.

And the people in the southwest would have nothing but ranchero internet.