Scobleizer - Latest Comments in How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Diamond — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:25:40 -0000

Well be seeing a lot more advances in technology with our new president. I'm eager to be a part of these new discoveries. It's amazing.

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Corey — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:29:51 -0000

"When I visited the Senate Chambers and saw laptops on the floor, I knew the world had changed."

The laptops on the Senate floor have been there for years - I purchased and installed some in 2003 (since replaced), and those were replacing laptops that had been there for at least 3 years prior.

And because I'm tired I'll comment on another post here as well.
"Only two congressmen use Macs. Out of 435 Representatives and 100 Senators."

There are more than two Mac using congressmen in the Senate alone, and Apple's presence has increased steadily over the past 5 or 6 years.

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Mr.Spore — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 11:06:06 -0000

Obama embraced the powerful online tools, look how well he did.

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Scott Stead — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:36:06 -0000

For the record I think New Media JIm and I were probably two of the first two twitter from the white house if not just from the briefing room or elsewhere in the West Wing.

Aside from that - and as someone who works in and around the Capitol, the White House and other federal buildings - it is absolutely amazing the amount of technology, the little nuances that we take for granted creeping its way into our government. This campaign season I think has helped a lot to drive the technology to the forefront with all of the digital outreach from the candidates via Twitter, streaming services like Mogulus, Skype, Ustream, BlogTV, etc., Youtube, Myspace, LinkedIn and countless others. Candidates are blogging, the Library of Congress is blogging, and apparently Reps are ambushing the ambushers with THEIR cellphone video. It's truly amazing - and one can only hope that it isn't just a trendy thing that these folks are playing with - but stumbling steps towards transparency and opening up portals to the community. Twitter and Youtube aren't going to save the world - but they are going to allow people to see a lot of angles on things they otherwise wouldn't have seen. Politicians and government offices are going to use social media as a 'marketing tool' to share information, use it as a soapbox, voice their opinions, and campaign - which some would say is no different from using TV or any other medium, that they'll be selling us the same BS via the web - but like DIGG or Delicious or anything else - in a digital forum the people are the police - and to quote Christian Slater..."you gotta remember dear, I can smell a lie like a fart in a car"...and people can. When people smell bullshit they stop listening. They criticize. And that's the difference. In a digital forum - there are a lot more voices to help cancel out the polarized views we're used to on network television. In the meantime I just hope we all continue to have a lot of fun with it. The real human benefit of all of this social media "stuff" are the big three, "learn, teach, and share." If somehow this all opens up a better dialog between people and their representatives/government organizations then - fricken yeah! *Takes off rose colored social media glasses*...

Or its all trendy techy stuff and this is all bullshit. Its all going to come down to them marketing to us "the sheep" via another medium and we'll all keep generating a lot of noise in the background - some of which will be meaningful - a lot of which won't.

Good to see you Robert, exciting that you got to do this, looking forward to the HD video - Jonny and i appreciate and really enjoyed the interview with you and Gary V. Come back anytime...we'll show you how to get down in D.C. I know how much you like to dance. The interviews are up on my and Jonny's blogs.

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Prokofy — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:26:17 -0000

It's not that the world changed, media changed; people remain the same, using the media. It didn't effect some fabulous transformation on them. Your surprise that people on the right coast would seem to have the same toys you do on the left coast bewilders me, it's as if you think, well, we made these and we should control how they get used.

But, people pick them up and keep doing their thing. The war in Iraq didn't stop, food prices didn't go down, etc.

I don't know whether the FCC should be killed off, because I don't know what force we could count on to keep tekkies themselves in check, along with their creations, given their scorn for representative democracy and the acceleration of their engineering. People hate the FCC when it doesn't do what they want, and like it when it does what they want.

I find it touching to think that people imagine if you can only get Bush to Twitter or Cheney to have a Facebook, the government will change. How silly. They have telephones and computers, and that didn't change them. Nor the people who elected them -- whom you were unable to persuade, even with your Internet and Youtubes.

All of this has to be watched very closely so that the technology and coders do not take away our freedoms under the guise of the new.

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Jake — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:51:58 -0000

Methinks the Browse Happy icon in Wordpress needs to be bigger.

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Christopher Coulter — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:16:55 -0000

I am with Chris Cox, the FCC is an unneeded governmental organization, common contract-law can deal with spectrum/interference issues, no need to continue a bureaucracy hatched in the infancy of radio, and giving such agency the content regulation green light is fraught with serious constitutional issues (Fairness Doctrine and ilk), and all the competitive regulation smacks of planned Soviet-styled economies. It was an common-law overreach with the Radio Act of 1927, and the Communications Act of 1934, and even more so today. Plant the victory flag and kill it off.

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Steve — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 12:39:43 -0000

@ And which is a major reason why ordinary citizens was were able to take up arms to defeat the largest Empire in the world and attain their independence. And to add insult to injury, with the help of The French! Ouch! How your govt works is of no interest to me, nor most US citizens, beyond an academic exercise, as it has no impact on our daily lives. But we are flattered you take particular imterest in ours.

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Maurice — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:42:33 -0000

@mewcomm and @ jerry

er the US does have an 18th century policical system in a lot of ways the lack of true parties being one of the major mysteries to a lot of outsiders.

and some of the pork bareling and dubious conduct that goes on would land an MP in jail here.

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Maurice — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:07:13 -0000

with my wonk hat on ime not sure one could have a debate using twitter.

And one debates a proposition not another person

Oh and you know why Polaticians have pages/blackberrys it so the Whips can tell lthem how to vote and/or they can get the "line" on a particular issue from the party managers

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

PR NY — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 04:19:59 -0000

Just look how aggressively Obama and Clinton had embraced the net during their campaigns.

Now just try to imagine the elections of 2112

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Anthony Papillion — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:33:04 -0000

It's interesting the way many of these otherwise stodgy old Senators and Representatives are now reinventing themselves to embrace technology. It might not seem like a huge tech victory, but I think the fact that nearly every single person in the House and Senate has - and actively uses - a Blackberry. Now, we're starting to see a few of them embrace new, social technologies and it's really exciting.

We should remember though that government is very slow to change and the Twittering and Qiking and other social media loving government officials will be lone rangers for a while. The others, well, they just need a little encouragement and education. Personally, I think we should take advantage of every opportunity to connect with our elected official and show them technologies like Twitter, Pownce, Qik, etc, and show them it's not really that scary. Let them know that you, as a constituent, want them to use these technologies and it will make communicating with those they represent much easier and more transparent. Now is the time for open government and it's never ever been easier to do.

One last thing: one of the absolutely coolest things I saw happen this week in Washington news was Rep. John Culberson showing President Bush Twitter and President Bush listened to him. That is change! That is revolutionary. That is exciting.

Thanks Robert for doing these interviews. Very, very cool.

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Jerry — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:17:18 -0000

@jcunwired

"I shudder to think how this administration would have approached technology if it truly understood it. I think we dodged a bullet."

uhhhhh,,,,Huh? It was the previous administration that had all the technology they needed but chose to not act. They are the ones that dodged a bullet. Seems after suffering the consequences of the previous administration's ineptitude, through the use of technology this administration has done a pretty good job of dodging subsequential bullets.

Or are you suggesting that the govt. start using Twitter to respond to and track down Obama bin Laden when he uses Qik to make future propoganda videos?

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

jcunwired — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:15:41 -0000

Great stuff Robert, as expected. I look forward to the complete report.

I must say, while I look forward to a new era, I shudder to think how this administration would have approached technology if it truly understood it. I think we dodged a bullet.

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Garth — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:31:15 -0000

Imagine if Bush and Ahmadinejad could twitter ... just like we have Loren and Shel :).

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Mary Zolinett — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:58:00 -0000

@Ryan: CA is not that bad!!! :-)

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

jeremy — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:32:45 -0000

As a native of DC, I'll tell you that nothing is going to change this city--and politics, more than how Obama ran his campaign.

http://www.jer979.com/ignit...

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Ryan — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:20:46 -0000

It sounds a little like you're surprised we're not all living in mud huts and hunting wild boar all day. Here around the beltway we have plenty of tech penetration, even Web 2.0 startups. The DC area is a great place for technology workers, particularly if you have secret clearance. Of course, with the bonus of not having to live in California ;-)

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Jerry — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:43:20 -0000

I have to agree with mewcomm. The fact that Scoble seems amazed that walking the halls of the Capitol he saw technology in use is inticitive of the sheletered existence SV types live in. The govt has technology that would put anything coming out of SV to shame. The contrainst is being able to use it in the floor or in many public forums. Yay! One to random congressmen use Twitter. If it becomes more common, you bet your ass, the FBI and NSA are going to want to have access to those conversations at some point, particularly if there is questions of leaking of secret information.

As for Bush being impressed by Qik and Twitter. Not how to accurately interprest that. For example, I'm always impressed when my 9 year old builds a winning pinewood derby car. Not all that evolutionary, but impressive none the less.

Scoble seems to have gone to D.C. expecting to see the congress not having moved past 1800. Is sort of sad to have his son leave the visit with the expectation that the fed govt is finally catching up to the geeks. Again, a naive percepetion. Afterall, this was a govt that was able to send a man to the moon with computers less powerfull than my kid's Nintendo DS. So, I gotta believe Twitter and Qik look laughable when put in context.

As for Bush's intellectual curiosity, neither you nor I know what his level is. All we have to go on is specualtion and commentary by the press. You'd just be hard pressed to convnice me that someone that has attained his level of success lacks intellectual curiosity. Either that, or you are suggesting the voting public has an IQ of about 80. (Which may be true, given Obamessiah's popularity based on no platform)

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Brian Hayashi — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:00:09 -0000

Fifteen years ago, I worked for the VC arm of the nation's largest cable TV operator and worked from time to time with people in the Beltway. The FCC had routine show-and-tells where companies are invited to show off their wares.

Lots of people confuse the availability of technology with the actual uses of technology. Paris Hilton was texting along using her Sidekick for awhile before it was so rudely hacked and her address book shared with all 100 million of her closest friends. Most public figures generally choose to avoid that kind of embarrassment and let their staffers get comfortable with the services first.

After about 20 years of doing this stuff, I'm pleased that the DNC has made bloggers a key part of their communications strategy during their conference in Denver. We've gathered them all together at
http://www.lastsecondstuff....

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Christopher Coulter — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:56:41 -0000

All that "tech" and gas is still $4 a gallon.

PR/Disinformation/Intelligence/Campaign/ complex...you forgot general Lobbyist, and Think Tank (Cato, Brookings, Heritage and such), and the Agenda-driven Advocacy Group PACs, all the Single-Issue Groups, State Governmental liaisons, Embassy Row and so on and so forth, everyone's looking for a pay-off, either (wisely) keeping government at bay, or directing stealing from the taxpayers and all the resulting national and international diplomacy from hence.

But see, Wash DC was years ahead of West Coast, it all filters military and works way into Langley and such, with real practical use, anyone spending much time on both coasts, would find that obvious. Wash DC has information as it's lifeblood, it's a vital thing, not a gadgetry geek tinker-toy tiddly-wink.

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Alex Hammer — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:44:37 -0000

Robert is everywhere, and a great guy. The reason that I started Politics 2.0, http://www.politics-20.com is to explore in depth that cutting edge between politics and technology (including all the web 2.0 features - all the good stuff).

Barack Obama is solidifying (with discipline and expertise) the online winning principles that Dean (and others) contributed to building.

It's a new landscape, and a new disruptive frontier!

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Paul W — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:32:42 -0000

Really enjoyed this post. Excellent stuff !

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Jeff C — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:10:48 -0000

Maybe you have your own satellite now. (picture Harrison Ford asking for one to be 'tasked' ... "we need to track this guy") :-)

Re: How is technology changing the world of Washington D.C.?

Allen Stern — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 06:35:31 -0000

robert - people can wait and if they are that important, then get more people at fc on the job - i will call paul today and have him move people over :)