is this government?

is this government?

the debate about research policies in sl in the general forum:
/120/f7/25820/1.html
/120/08/33802/1.html
/120/8b/33597/1.html

then this sl policy was created:
http://secondlife.com/tiki/tiki-index.php?page=Research%20Ethics%20in%20Second%20Life

*Ulrika and the squid exchange knowing glances.*

~Ulrika~

I sincerely echo Jeffrey’s view on this as it parallels my own.
Everyone cries for a worldwide government to affect policy and how things are changed or done.
Currently even the two ardent protagonists for Government are actually against the same things that a great deal many others and I are.
But for the life of me they debate to debate and congratulate one another as though they have won a war when in essence the truth be known they are just as much against certain aspects of governance as the rest of us are.

Jeffrey’s summation of government and "Lack of Government" points that there is a system even though others claim there is not. With this summation I totally agree.

Previously in a thread I started with vitriolic banter grabbed the attention of many and angered quite a few.

But here are the additional points of view.

Currently we know where we stand and if we are diligent in our vigilance of the forums can sway the outcome of some of these proposals that are hammered at LL by a minority few.

Handing power of any sort from the top as Jeff has described to the Anarchy AKA the players.
What value does that trade off incur?

Lets look at a scenario that could ensue if a player run government was established to replace the current Anarchy.

We all know Anshe is wealthy and to be honest I respect her for her ability to achieve what she has with such limited resources.

However, picture a player run government with an agenda. The top officials feel that Anshe is too wealthy and they decide to put forth litigation to quell her actions. Noble at best but really is it a benefit to try to run off one of the members that returns to second life as much as she takes out?
The key to this scenario is this one phrase. "They Feel That" With no proof or facts they go on a Politically correct witch hunt and attempt to run her out of second life. That phrase then could be used again against another member and on and on.

This is what I am fighting. I am fighting the possibility that a worldwide government could turn into the Salem Witch-hunts of the past. Giving people power that they don't know how to wield properly sets them up for failure.

This is why we see in the United States so may corrupt politicians. Naive in their duties they fall prey to the wealthy. While others fall prey to the minority few that wont quit bitching about stuff after they have lost to the masses.

So to reiterate Jeff's statements, Just because there is no defined government does not mean that a system of control or adjudication doesn't exist. It just means that it’s undefined at this point.

Shadow

maybe it would be more useful to help people out of their naivete, instead of fearmongering.

daz Groshomme:


Good point. This is one more way the power-hungry types could try to get what they want at our expense. A checklist of all these specifics would be more useful than expressing generalized 'don't tread on me' sentiments, no matter how agreeable those sentiments are. Ideally the checklist (or the like) would be a tool to efficiently dismantle any proposal for a new game function that gives one person or group more power over other players.

I agree with the others about the vaguenes of this question. If you are talking about what I think you are though, then NO, of course a poll on a forum is not government. I think what you really mean is "is this good governance?" or is this a "fair" way to deal with such issues, or maybe you should substitute "Democracy" for "Govenment."

If that is what you mean, then no nothing even approaching what most pepople think of as a Democracy exists here becaue no one can really vote. The day you get an IM that says "everybody in continent or sim X please vote on Y", then you might call that democracy of a sort. (I am new but I haven't seen anything like that yet) The other comments about voting not necesarily being anythign to do with governmetn or even democracy are also valid.

Like others have pointed out, the Lindens have really no way of knowing the wants of the people they "govern." SL seems to be more of a benign dictatorship (I like it!) with the "Governor" trying his best to keep various groups and competing interests happy.

Other than the nasty capitalistic tendencies of such a system and the class barriers that it creates, (which could certainly be improved) I am not that opposed to it. Most here want to have fun and dance around. Not many would vote even if it were possible.

Also, no offense to all those particular Lindens who have been nothing but helpful and kind to me (thanks, *really*) but I would rather that Linden Labs (as a group), use a bit more logic in their benign dictating and a little more transparency of motives. Even Gods have a responsibility to govern wisely and fairly.

just a small note... i don't think it's vague. but that's me.

it is very open ended. and from the variety of answers it becomes clear that people mean different things when they use the word government.

functionally, i see events as such:
1) some residents wanted something.
2) they ask ll for it.
3) ll said the residents should form some kind of agreement among those involved.
4) ll said they will do something based on that agreement.

but there are other ways to see it.

(btw democracy isn't the only form of government.)