(Photo by Alex Howard @digiphile)

This morning, thought leaders in the technology policy space gathered at the Brookings Institution for several panels related to the topic of Internet Policymaking.  As new Internet policy issues arise, most of which were not considered when our current communications laws were created, we face a challenge of meeting governance demands.   Who is best suited to meet those demands?  Panelists seemed to agree that consumers play a central role.

Participants in the conversation “Users As Regulators: The Role of Transparency and Crowd Sourcing As A Form of Oversight” included:

• Moderator: Phil Weiser, Senior Advisor to the Director for Technology and Innovation, National Economic Council, The White House
• Mark Cooper, Research Director, Consumer Federation of America
• Cynthia Estlund, Catherine A. Rein Professor of Law, New York University School of Law
• Kathy Brown, Senior Vice President, Public Policy Development and Corporate Responsibility, Verizon

Consumer advocate Mark Cooper believes that crowdsourcing for policing can work if the information is accurate and actionable.  Acknowledging the complexity of the issues, he suggested that the era of writing detailed rules is over, which Kathy Brown of Verizon quickly agreed.  Similarly, Brown advocated that old style regulation won’t work in today’s Internet ecosystem and for self-regulation through transparency to reach a greater democracy.  “We agree that the consumer is central.  The question is, what role?”  Academic voice Estlund took the concept even further, noting that transparency is key not just for Internet customers, but for all citizens.

No Comments »

Thought leaders gathered at the New America Foundation yesterday to discuss the role of technology in social innovation and civic participation.  Based on two recent National Science Foundation workshops, panelists explored the advantages and challenges that the world of new digital tools opens for participation.

University of Maryland Professor and Dean of the College of Information Studies Jenny Preece kicked off the discussion by exploring the social, human side of what motivates people to participate, citing egoism, altruism, collectivism, and principlism.  It’s these motivations combined with the technology infrastructure that, she explained, are advancing our design of social participation.  Additionally, the government transparency movement is providing even more opportunities to engage the public.

Sonal Shah, Deputy Assistant to the President in the Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, added that technology is also making data go a long way.  But she cautioned that metrics are just the beginning.  She believes we need to assess actions and outcomes and then get that information out to all communities.   “It will be an interesting opportunity to make information usable, like trends.”

Shah urged that the government and the public identify success stories and then elevate and scale them, in order to optimize success.  On the other hand, she reminded the audience, agencies still use old technologies too to ensure a diversity of response.  “It’s not just access to technology, but access where they are comfortable and can ask questions.”

I also had the opportunity to talk with Lucas Cioffi, a leader in the civic participation movement and the founder of http://www.onlinetownhalls.com/.  Watch the video below to learn about how Cioffi is educating the government and the public about using broadband technology to further participation.

No Comments »