Re:Polis: Open-source platform for large-scale civic deliber...
by theroncross on Friday February 13, 2026 @11:05AM
(#47004271)
This is true of methods that don't require you to leave the house as well. Internet forums of all types are dominated by frequent users (by definition). People who are doing other things (working, raising families, living with disabilities that make participation difficult) are under-represented. Most of us just want someone with culturally normal values and competency to take care business. Many democratic systems do not select for people with culturally normal values and competency, unfortunately.
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Re:Polis: Open-source platform for large-scale civic deliber...
by clcaev on Friday February 13, 2026 @11:41AM
(#47004682)
In my experience, neighborhood and municipal governance often works unreasonably well with life-long public servants, who may not be the most brilliant of us, diligently working every day like the rest of us.
Technology must assist local, bottom-up governance, rather than being supplanted.
Re:Polis: Open-source platform for large-scale civic deliber...
by nathan_compton on Friday February 13, 2026 @12:23PM
(#47005213)
"Culturally normal values" is such a crazily loaded phrase. I personally don't have a strong desire to see people with culturally normal values be in charge, since, as far as I can tell, the "normal" person is neither very smart nor very thoughtful.
Re:Polis: Open-source platform for large-scale civic deliber...
by econ on Friday February 13, 2026 @04:03PM
(#47007785)
The lack of ambition is terrifying.
Re:Polis: Open-source platform for large-scale civic deliber...
by longfacehorrace on Friday February 13, 2026 @02:01PM
(#47006380)
It's "culturally normal" for first worlders like us to thoughtlessly dump production of material needs on 12 year old sweatshop workers in Asia.
You have a point but I am not sure it is the one you intended.
Re:Polis: Open-source platform for large-scale civic deliber...
by theroncross on Sunday February 15, 2026 @11:55AM
(#47025223)
I believe moral opposition to child labor is a widely held view, and that most politicians, if pressed, would be in favor of writing laws to eliminate it. There are many reasons that pressure isn't applied, but it being a culturally abnormal view isn't one of them.