Comments on: At least the Brits are doing something about online engagement

By: Owen Blacker

Owen Blacker — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 19:12:24 +0000

I should point out, by the way, that all the mySociety sites’ codebase is available for use by other organisations, which has led to a volunteer in New Zealand, Rob McKinnon, creating http://www.theyworkforyou.co.nz, and the UK version has recently been extended to the Six Counties (see http://tinyurl.com/yl7k43 for more information).

Feel free to ask us questions on the mySociety developers-public mailing list if you want more information about how you could adapt our code for the Oireachtas.

Owen Blacker,
Director of mySociety Ltd and Trustee of UK Citizens’ Online Democracy

By: Piaras Kelly

Piaras Kelly — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 11:03:04 +0000

My point isn’t so much about the web, but rather about the lack of understanding of the majority of the electorate as to how the system actually works. More importantly though, as the guy points out we put unrealistic demands on our politicians and “Like â€œteenagersâ€?, people were demanding, but â€œconflictedâ€? about what they actually wanted”

By: Damien

Damien — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 21:33:02 +0000

Your quote reinforces this guys attitude and my point. He seems to be suggesting that the web community are not solving problems, merely attacking. Hansard, FaxYour MP. WriteToThem, TheyWorkForYou are all web initiatives that are doing a startling amount of good yet the guy seems to only find a web full of negativity. Nothing to do with the fact that the web has been at the forefront of toppling politicians which traditional media dared not do.

By: Piaras Kelly

Piaras Kelly — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 21:23:38 +0000

Hmm, I think your criticism of the guy in question is a little OTT. By pulling other parts from the article, his opinions actually make a lot of sense:

But he said more needed to be done by the web community in general to encourage people to use the internet to “solve problems” rather than simply abuse politicians or make “incommensurate” demands on them.

…

Like “teenagers”, people were demanding, but “conflicted” about what they actually wanted, he argued.

They wanted “sustainability”, for example, but not higher fuel prices, affordable homes for their children but not new housing developments in their town or village.

By: simon

simon — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 14:13:07 +0000

What is our e-Minister doing?
We have an e-minister? Seriously who is it.