[P2P-F] Fwd: Ancient Athens didn't have politicians. Is there a lesson for us?

Mon Jan 14 09:44:58 CET 2013

On Sun, Jan 13, 2013 15:19:28 PM -0800, Karl Robillard wrote:
> On Saturday, January 12, 2013 04:44:37 PM M. Fioretti wrote:
> > I really think that the first thing that made the "Athenian model"
> > possible in the first place was that their world was much simpler and
> > smaller.
> 
> That's true that they lived in a less complex environment, but we
> have much better techniques and tools to handle complexity here in
> 2013.

I don't think that this, even if true, is sufficient, or maybe even
relevant.

For example, here in 2013 we also have computer interfaces that handle
the complexity of computers much better than 10/15 years ago.

If what you write were true, or sufficient, by now (almost) ALL
computer users would be able to use their computer decently, rather
than just as digital typewriters or super television sets.

Complexity is complex, no matter how you dress it, and people are
different. Some "bleed" when thinking about fiscal issues, others when
exposed to biology. You can't eliminate that.

This said, I do agree that current technology can do and should do a
LOT to expose and eliminate unnecessary complexity period, regardless
of who has to make decisions afterwards. But expecting that literally
intended direct democracy can work in a society that wants to use
nanotechnology, global telecom networks and so on is not realistic,
imho.

Marco