Do you have a Web site for the book?

MATT DOWELL

We scratch the surface of electric technology, but you can see how difficult it is to persuade people to break old patterns like representative democracy. Everyone on this blog (or almost everyone) is disgusted by the corruption and lack of caring by the powers that be. We had a narrow escape from George Bush. For a minute (OK it was more than a minute) I thought he might declare it in the national interest to postpone the election. Should people protest, we can count on soldiers and police to do as they are told and put the protest down. Much depends on the good will of those at the top of the hierarchy. That’s what broke the system. We trusted CEO’s not to take more than their share, not to abuse their position and they failed us. It is a mistake to rely on the kindness of strangers. We need alternatives. They are technologically possible. Unfortunately we lack the will to go there.

Thus, I think we do need some rules and regulations in order to have millions of people living together. Yes though, things get messy when we try to figure out where to draw the lines. Not sure of your background obviously, but I know from being on the Board of some small nonprofits (who are doing great work for society), that it’s incredibly difficult to get anything accomplished or decided if there isn’t a strong decision-maker somewhere in the process. We end up in paralysis of analysis. This is why I like have to hierarchy, to a limited degree.

So we develop systems and hierarchy that will hopefully serve the needs of society in the best way possible. In your example of foreclosures, I’d like to have regulations and government involvement to fix problems like that. A healthy public/private yin-yang is needed. I think the balance if WAY off at the moment, and that’s what most of us around here are trying to change, but I don’t think we need to scrap our Constitution entirely. If used properly, it can organize massive amounts of people in a very fair and just way.

Just my opinion, but happy to hear more thoughts if possible.

As for me, I prefer utopia, a classless, moneyless society. If you think such a society impossible, ask yourself why you think. Your answer will reveal the cause of our madness.

Motto for the s.o.d. region where those solutions reside: “We told you so.” On energy, deregulation, toxics, child development, land use, population…and so much more.

No wonder the spheres’ designers are terrified of nationalization. If our people ever total up the damages America’s home-grown oligarchs (and their hired hands) deliberately inflicted upon us all, the designers’ assets are toast.

But there are eight or more pharma co’s with larger market cap than WYE, and at least two larger than PFE, makes complete block unlikely. More likely that some part may have to be spun off or that other competitors will take similar actions.

[sigh]