Comments on: Why the tech industry still can't get its way

perspective When it comes to pressing its case with the political elites, Silicon Valley still doesn't know how to throw around its weight, says CNET News.com's Charles Cooper.

[Russell McOrmond]

Canadian situation worse.

For whatever reason, many tech companies that exist in North America consider Canada to be a "branch plant" of the USA. The reality that the political and legal systems are different, and that better tech-friendly laws in Canada could help their work in the USA, seems to be being ignored thus far. Fighting anti-technology and anti-innovation laws, such as information/mental process patents, anti-circumvention legislation or other government mandates on behalf of the technology hostile incumbent content industries, would be much easier if Canadians were more actively involved and supported.

Canadians should check out:

http://cluecan.ca/policy
http://www.digital-copyright.ca/

[JadedGreg]

No belly for the fight? Hmm.

This can be made short and sweet.

Ever use the phrase "computer geek" lately? This is a culture issue. Congressmen and voters don't think that they have any obligation to understand technology. That's what the geeks do when they aren't getting their lunch money stolen.

Don't threaten me! Go send a serious message to your congressman. ;)

[JoeCrow]

The Current Gov Doesn't Give a Crap about SV

It's easy to blame high-tech.

However, the current government is run by U.S. oil monopolies, and aside from making sure the net works to sell oil to people at gas stations, they quite simply don't give a damn about U.S. high tech.

Bare in mind, the current government has spent the majority of it's 'high tech policy' discussions looking to demand high tech spy on people and attacking high tech for doing business in China.

The current government doesn't like high tech other than for the purposes of trying to make SV spy on people.

Don't blame high-tech for being inactive in the federal government (i.e., bribing politicians), we have a government that simply does not believe in high tech beyond its uses for totalitarian purposes.

[jerrymerfeld]

Get it Together

--------EXCERPT
"I think that's closer to the truth. So what should be done?

That's the tough one.

Maybe something like the national highway bill in the 1950s, which resulted in the building of a vast and modern transportation infrastructure? But this isn't only a question of bigger conduits reaching people faster. It's also about the underlying backbone and all that involves.

If technologists don't want to leave big decisions to the politicians, they'll need to get their hands dirty in the muck and grime of politics. But so far, I just don't see much fire in their belly for a fight."
--------

...Here's my rant
Unfortunately, I agree. If we as technologists don't do something, US Administration will.

We should be competing for better technologies... pushing each other further and further. We should be focusing on integration, not creating proprietary technologies in the name of profit. Compete for the sake of competition, is that not where we receive the most benefit?

Do we want convergence, or regulation??? Integration or separation? Take your pick.

Thanks for listening 

- Jerry Merfeld

[clamenza]

stop blaming politicians/government

Other countries are far more open-minded about having the government intervene in economic and social (but not religious) areas. That's why they have more unified and robust broadband and cellular networks. Americans' irrational mistrust of government is leading to a decline in competitiveness, in everything from education to broadband. Wake up and smell the coffee. Corporations only want to get rich (sometimes just for management, too). The common good is often not a private good. Fear the government all you want. It's still the closest thing we have to national interest (not shareholders interest).