A short presentation on how technology could enhance democracy. Given at the Brighter Brains conference on "The Future of Politics" on 10/18/15 in Oakland, CA

1. Direct Democracy
How Technology Will Bring Us a Truly Citizen Based Form of Government

2. Nicole Sallak Anderson
- Software Engineer turned science fiction novelist
and blogger.
- Worked on two-way radio encryption systems for
ten years before jumping into parenthood,
homesteading and eventually bringing it all
together to write the eHuman Trilogy. Available
on Amazon.
- My blog features discussions on the intersection
between technology and human consciousness,
as well as data manipulation, internet privacy,
and technologically advanced societies.
- Twitter: @NSallakAnderson
- www.ehumandawn.blogspot.com

3. Democracy:
 a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members
of a state, typically through elected representatives.

4. Direct Democracy:
 (also known as pure democracy) is a form of democracy in which people
decide (e.g. vote on, form consensus on) policy initiatives directly.

5. Three Key Phases of Evolution:
Technology is the driver!
 The Rise of Social Media
 The Education of the People and Development of Servant Leadership
 The Implementation of Internet Based Portals where Governance Takes Place

6. Phase One Has Already Begun!
 Twitter, Facebook and Reddit lead the way.

7. Phase Two: Education of Citizens and
Leadership
It is apathy and ignorance that leads us to vote for these
guys. It is greed and insecurity that makes our leadership
corrupt. The answer?
Citizen education and Servant Leadership

8. Education of the Public is Key
 We can’t have a Direct Democracy without a revolution in our education
system.
 Our current system teaches compliance and discourages inquiry, which leads
to apathy.
 Students must be taught US History, World History, politics, debate, rhetoric
and philosophy as well as technology and math.
 Critical thinking skills as well as civic duty, which in this case is to participate
in your Democracy.
 The goal of our educational system would no longer be to get a job or into
college, but rather to be capable of dialogue and discourse with other citizens
on important matters.

9. “
”
Education is the transmission
of civilization.
Will Durant

10. Leadership Is Still Needed!
But the focus now changes from getting re-elected to
championing initiatives for the people.
Our Leaders would:
- Still be elected.
- Could be local or based on expertise.
- Sponsor Bills and Initiatives
- Moderate the debate in the online forum—
Trained in Non Violent Communication or
Appreciative Inquiry techniques to ensure civility
returns to social discourse online.
- Make changes to Bills/Initiatives based on input
from the people.
- Post the updated Bill/Initiative on the online
forum
- Handle and process the vote using verified
neutral algorithms

11. Phase Three: Implementation Online
 Social Media continues to be the back bone of discussion.
 Development of a non-partisan Government Portal where elections of leaders,
voting on Bills and Initiatives as well as channels for petition and grievances.
 All citizens, eighteen and up, are given accounts.
 Leaders can run their campaigns online in one place and use technology to
debate real-time as well as answer questions from constituents.
 Voting can use fingerprint technology and be done from your device,
whatever it is in the future.
 Courts still needed to determine if Bills and Initiatives are within
constitutional rights. But technology can ease that as well with online dispute
resolution. Algorithms can be used to warn those working and voting on the
bill if it violates human rights, etc.

12. How Do We Get There?
 Use what we have right now.
 Petition the White House on issues that matter.
 Engage in social media as things come up. Share news and information
constantly.
 Support transparency in government.
 Advocate for educational improvements. Take classes yourself.
 Get involved in building the technologies that would create such a system in a
secure manner at a local level. Many local issues could be addressed already
in an online forum fashion.