Jim Puzzanghera of the LA Times (and former long-time Merc News DC reporter) today looks into, shall we say, the technology comprehension levels on Capitol Hill.
The story does a drive-by on net neutrality, CALEA, the analog hole, broadcast flag and DOPA.
Almost daily when Congress is in session, lawmakers are struggling to comprehend new technology and the government's role in shaping its future. In the biggest spurt of legislative activity since the dot-com boom, advocacy groups and businesses are seeking new laws to shape the fast-evolving digital landscape. The effort will resume in September, when Congress returns from its summer recess....
...The task is all the more difficult because few in Congress understand what those engineers in Silicon Valley actually do.
Again, we've argued that trying to explain how technology works is less important than trying to explain how technology makes a positive impact on constituents -- be it improved health care delivery, increased energy efficiency, better education, etc. Former congressional aide and current MPAA EVP John Feehery agrees:
"If you get in a technical debate on these issues, you're already losing because members of Congress don't have time to read the technical information. You need to put it in terms that politicians understand — this is going to hurt jobs, this is going to hurt economic activity."
One nit: Expecting Members to understand the inner workings of Internet infrastructure and data delivery is one thing. Expecting them to understand what a social networking site is, what it can enable and how their very own kids use them is quite another.
and the government's role in shaping its future. In the biggest spurt of legislative activity since the dot-com boom, advocacy groups and businesses are seeking new laws to shape the fast-evolving digital landscape. The effort will resume in September, when Congress returns from its summer recess....
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