Quesitons to Lessig’s comments on McCains tech platform
by Dima on August 27, 2008
in USA, internet, politics, technology
On August 14, John McCain announced his technological platform. On August 19, Lawrence Lessig published a very detailed and well crafted response to McCain’s platform. After listening to Lessig’s analysis I remain puzzled with two main questions:
- First, Lessig refers to the relative drop of broadband penetration in the US as an indicator of failure of US tech policy. I keep on hearing this argument elsewhere, but I have not seen a thorough analysis of why broadband is so beneficial from the social point of view. I mean, intuitively, I can see why that might be the case as I am using it myself. However, because I part of the system, I am not sure how this intuition was actually formed. May it a result of hearing this argument over and over again? Nevertheless, I would expect from Lessig a more thorough argument in this regard beyond just treating broadband penetration data as an obvious indicator. I wonder what other possible indicators are out there and where does US stand in that regard. For example, I know that many Israeli start-ups end up being registered as US companies, which suggests that there is a friendlier environment for maturing innovation into finished projects. Can that be another indicator? Or am I wrong? And if I am not wrong, what does it say about the US tech policy? I would love to hear Lessig laying out a more thorough analysis. He is making interesting points in terms of competition, but primary focus on broadband penetration is taking away from his argument in my view.
- The second point I remain puzzled with is the link Lessig makes between corporate interest and slowing down of broadband penetration. Why would not be telecom giants interested in getting people on a broader line? How is his main idea that it is in corporate interest to control the “pipes” leading to the corporate world slowing down the broadband penetration? Is it the cost of connecting people vs. prospective revenue? I am not sure i am following.
What do you think?
… corporate interest to control the “pipes” leading to the corporate …
Sorry for being off-topic, but do those quotation marks around “pipes” denote a metaphore, or are you actually referring to that Ted Stevens’ quotation?
I am not sure either what Lessig means, although corporate conglomerates controlling broadband technology is a hot button issue in california. The point, that I think Lessig wants to make reminds me of the sad battle between the lawyers of the large motor corporations & oil companies and California Air Quality Control Board in the early 90’s. Ford, Toyota, Saturn produced single lines of electric cars to test the market. Gradually, the demand of the electric cars increased signaling a viable alternative to petroleum dependent automobiles…This encouraged the Air Control Board to seize the opportunity to make some aggressive policies and a strategic plan for the state to decrease automobile CO2 emissions by a huge percentage in 2015 (I think). Well, the oil companies certainly was NOT ready for that. A huge retaliation occurred with a lawsuit against the Air Control board AND the complete annihilation of all the electric cars in California. Folks who were leasing the cars were forced to give up their cars by the car companies– I think this is the negative effect of corporate interest that Lessig’s wants to point out.
Hi Dmitry,
We met at TPRC last weekend, I dig your blog! As a response to your take in Lessig, you’re right in your suspicion. Lessig indeed is somewhat of an idealist, who doesn’t always ground his views in facts and figures. You’re touching upon a fundamental problem here, since the socio-economic benefit of (open) broadband is all but verified in research. We desperately need people doing this. The only study I know of that seems to acknowledge (also my) intuition that indeed BB is beneficial is by the OECD:
http://www.oecd.org/document/1/0,3343,en_2649_34223_40931201_1_1_1_1,00.html
I guess it’s our generation of researchers that will have to work on this…would you agree?
A general apology for a prolonged absence…
@Leonid: Yes, it refers to quotation.
@Angel: Thanks for the example, though i am not completely sure i follow the analogy…
@Jasper: Thanks for the feedback and it was great meeting you at TPRC. In fact there were a few papers on the topic at the conference and i hope to blog about them soon. I think the main issues there is causality, but that is for the post :)