Almost compulsory file-sharing rant (aka Peter Mandelson is a fuckwit)

[doctor_frank]

The problem with having a lot of politicians in charge of the country is that what they know a lot about is politics, but have only the faintest clue about absolutely anything else, especially technology.

Of course, the issue here is Peter Mandelson's moronic proposal related to file-sharing, whereby ISPs will become partially responsible for

Comments

[crocodilewings]

The older, wiser and more apolitical I get, the more I want politicians to advertise their competency rather than their alleged political stances.

Rather than party political broadcasts, I think the cabinet and shadow-cabinets should make self-authored short documentaries in their fields of authority, explaining why contentious subjects are as complicated as they are. It would demonstrate they know their onions, give us a better idea of their general disposition, and hopefully inform the public about the issues they're voting on.

[doctor_frank]

I like that idea - it would be good to see them doing something else than arguing like schoolchildren and may inspire a bit more respect. If they deserve it.

It's terrifying that there's no one knowledgeable enough high up just to say "That's a nice thought, Peter, but you really haven't a clue what you're talking about, do you? Are you intending on getting the magical internet pixies to lick the data packets and check for the taste of copyright as they carry them down the tubes? Is that actually what you're saying?"

[hg253]

It's best just to view policy proposals like this as vague appeasements of a certain sector. It's merely a politician saying to that sector "you're right, something must be done, now, if I make some wild claims and throw my weight around a bit, will you be quiet?". Nothing will come of it