tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29084972412652794142024-03-12T17:01:55.707-07:00Civilization SystemsTechnology, Social Media & The Fundamentals of Individual Representation in Scaling CivilizationTom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-79203813948252486012017-04-26T08:11:00.000-07:002017-04-26T13:09:44.769-07:00Is Liberal or Conservative Better? And Why That's a Stupid Question...<br />
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From John Adams' :<br />
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"Democracy has never been and never can be so durable as aristocracy or monarchy; but while it lasts, it is more bloody than either. … Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide."<br />
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If we understand that governments are inherently complex/chaotic systems we have to agree that collapse is inevitable... though in practice such a system at least theoretically can last<i> almost </i>indefinitely. (this idea of collapse inevitability is rooted in mathematics).<br />
<br />
Of course the same collapse inevitability is true of a monarchy... though it can likely be more durable since it attempts to suppress chaotic elements and impose order.<br />
<br />
The challenge is that vibrancy in a civilization requires a tolerance for a greater degree of 'chaos' in a civilization.<br />
<br />
SO... free societies are always more difficult and balancing between the fall towards anarchy versus the reach toward authoritarianism is a battle that literally CAN'T ever end.<br />
<br />
Hence... Democracy is a preferred but very persistent pain-in-the-ass.<br />
<br />
Right now we're drifting towards authoritarianism (in my opinion.. hence I tend toward the Left).<br />
<br />
At another time (speaking for myself at least)... I might find myself drifting to the Right.<br />
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HENCE... any "quasi-religious" conviction in either a Left or Right direction.. is not seeing the larger situation.<br />
<br />
Its about maintaining the balance (i.e. criticality: a balance between order and chaos).<br />
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Of course we all can and do disagree about which direction the civilization is moving at any particular time.<br />
<br />
As is evident every day I turn on the news.<br />
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Whether or not this realization is usable in any rigorous sense... is a question for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hari_Seldon" target="_blank">Hari Seldon</a>.. but worth thinking about.<br />
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This is why I hate the question "Are you a conservative or a liberal? Left or Right?"<br />
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I literally don't know how to answer... on which issue? And do you mean today or tomorrow?<br />
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Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-21908475640093454442017-03-22T14:17:00.001-07:002017-03-23T06:14:44.927-07:00Brief Outline of the Trust Design for a Micropayment Capable Internet Wallet<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="3dlks-0-0">
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<span data-offset-key="3dlks-0-0"><span data-text="true">The key to the Trust design is that the user’s information and instructions are kept separate from the funds deposited which are placed in a pooled trust with other account holders funds but with each individual user retaining complete control over the dispersal of the funds within the limits of his/her share of the trust… combined in the case of the pooled micropayment with an anticipated threshold for total payment transfer to the recipient at or above the level required for system viability (a fairly low level in practice) and how this then greatly reduces transaction costs for the micropayment by passing through incurred transaction costs to the recipient at an easily manageable level. And all in conformance with legal requirements for payer/donor identification which may or may not be required in a given transaction. Hence, monetary transfers from the Trust to a recipient come as aggregates composed of some multiple of payment designations rather than as separate transfers to a recipient from each designation. These aggregate payments may or may not contain further user information depending on legal or other requirements or permissions. </span></span><br />
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Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-1402921970699772942016-09-28T06:55:00.000-07:002016-10-14T08:34:48.115-07:00A Wells Fargo Story(This was originally written back in 2010 and never posted....but with the interest in Wells Fargo I've decided to finally put it up. Not well written.... but here it is.)<br />
<br />
My house got taken by Wells Fargo on Monday.<br />
<br />
It's a story of bad business; the product of bureaucratic banking and not atypical human behavior. A characteristic of systems grown beyond their ability to function well.<br />
<br />
I believe a small bank would have given me a chance to save my house (obviously a biased view) but a large bank has other motives... often conflicting... among its various players (bank employees, the Board, and ultimately government, regulators and the Fed.)<br />
<br />
Here’s my story:<br />
<br />
I bought my house in 1991. We can skip the<i> intentional</i> non-disclosure by the previous owners and their brokers of grievous damage to the structure that includes broken slab, rotten footings, very seriously sub-standard concrete in the addition he'd added himself, the previous and ongoing flooding problem, and one end of the house 6-inches lower than the other...<br />
<br />
And the intentional cosmetic concealment of all of the above...<br />
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And the flood that hit six-months later and began the process of alerting me to these problems...<br />
<br />
And the 4-year lawsuit that resulted out of which I received a settlement that covered re-grading and cosmetic repairs but not repairs of footings, studs, concrete and of course the six-inch dip from one end of the house to the other.<br />
<br />
I'd never bought a house before. I was stupid. I apparently still am.<br />
<br />
But all this is prelude. Largely irrelevant to the current nightmare except that it left me with the prospect of a difficult house to sell and hence I'd best make the best of it.<br />
<br />
And I did! I worked on that house for years and made it quite livable and very aesthetic within the limits of its potential. And I took a couple of re-fi's to finance those home improvements during the 90's. But my equity cushion was large and my re-fi's were small. None of it was a problem<br />
<br />
Then in 2005 I decided to build a little ‘granny unit’ for my house. (A legal granny unit btw under Cal ab 1866.)<br />
<br />
I was in my mid-50’s and there were interests I wanted to pursue. I figured that I could move into the granny unit, rent out the main house and thereby cover my mortgage so I wouldn’t need much other income and could sort of semi-retire.<br />
<br />
I had plenty of equity (then!) so I did a re-fi and took out a HELOC with Bank of America to fund construction. I acted as my own contractor and built it with the help of a licenced and experienced contractor friend since I don’t really know what I’m doing other than how to swing a hammer and run errands to Home Depot and lumber yards.<br />
<br />
And all my friends told me this was a brilliant plan! Low overhead! Smart INVESTMENT!!! No fancy cars or trips for Tombo with his equity... No wining and dining. I live like a hermit. I was INVESTING!!!!!<br />
<br />
The plan worked great. For a while.<br />
<br />
It’s a beautiful little 500 square foot studio with lots of light, Mexican tile floors, French doors… really all any sane person needs if living alone. Which is what I’m currently doing. (And my current situation under these Depression conditions now makes dating pretty much impossible… unless the lucky candidate wants to pick me up and pay for dinner! So solo I remain.)<br />
<br />
I had great tenants with the rent covering both the 1st and 2nd. It was looking like a modest but secure little vantage point from which I could pursue my humble interests in political and economic thought from an anthropological perspective.<br />
<br />
In fact, out of that freedom and time to think I came up with an interesting idea which I then felt compelled to pursue. (I won’t go into that now but anyone who’s been paying attention to this blog will have some basic idea of my focus.)<br />
<br />
So anyway, I’m going along gung-ho trying to advance this concept I’ve got… patent attorney, website development, going to some conferences (made my first trips to NYC and D.C.)… all kinds of stuff.<br />
<br />
All on a shoe-string. No fancy website, no fancy hotels, no expenses to wine-and-dine hotshots. Just basics.<br />
<br />
I had great credit. And men pursuing dreams don’t know how to NOT pursue them. And sometimes they even think they’re serving a greater good. I thought so then. I still think so now.<br />
<br />
Stepping back a moment… In the summer of ‘07, early in this ‘dreamquest’ I’m on… I realized I was at some point likely to need a business loan to sustain me while I pursued this vision. Or at least wanted a little cushion for launch and/or emergencies. During this time I had no income other than the rent coming in. Yes, this was very unwise… but also pretty much unavoidable unless I was willing to abandon my pursuit. Which I wasn’t. And I’m still not willing to. (Shame on me…)<br />
<br />
So I go to my local Bank of America to see how 'start-up loans' work. They say a business loan for a startup ain’t going to happen. I can’t really blame ‘em for that. It’s a risky business…<br />
<br />
But they say… <i>“GET A HELOC. It’s no problem and we don’t care WHAT you use the money for!”</i><br />
<br />
I say, “Well that sounds great in theory but I already used up my HELOC building this addition. And I don’t think there’s enough equity left for that.”<br />
<br />
And they say, “Don’t worry about that. We can do an appraisal and see. And it won’t cost you a cent to find out. So what’ve you go to lose!!!”<br />
<br />
So they got their appraiser and did their appraisal and whoa nelly!!! They managed to find another $65,000 of available credit in my house!<br />
<br />
My GOD! It’s Christmas in July! I can advance this idea for a needed utility!<br />
<br />
So the OLD line of credit was replaced with the NEW line of credit. And all of a sudden I have $65,000 worth of available credit!!!!!!!!!!!<br />
<br />
Now I know what you’re thinking… “Ah, so then you went out and wasted a bunch of money on trips and hotels and dinners and hookers and football tickets.”<br />
<br />
Nah. That’s not what happened. In fact, I never touched that line of credit at all.<br />
<br />
In summer of ‘08 my tenant had a motorcycle accident. They didn’t have insurance. He couldn’t work. Rent stopped coming.They had to move in with relatives owing over $8000 in back rent.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile the election was approaching and I hoped to at least launch my little idea for demonstration, maybe get a little publicity during the silly season.<br />
<br />
Thank GOD for that line of credit sitting there to get me over the hump till I could get out and find some investors and partners!!! Get some new tenants. And enough cushion that I could always just get a job to cover any gaps should the <i>quest</i> take longer than expected. (I was a one-man operation except for my developers who did great with what little I could offer... I told you I was an idiot, right?)<br />
<br />
But Ooops!<br />
<br />
In August of ‘08 I get the mail from B of A saying the line of credit was no longer available because of problems in the Real Estate market.<br />
<br />
Actually I can understand this well enough now. But its starting to look like they had some inkling well before the Fall of ‘08 that appraisals and prices were out of hand.<br />
<br />
In other words, the ONLY beneficiaries of this HELOC were B of A loan officers, appraisers and I assume their books at least for a quarter or two. All it did for me was forestall the need to look for dedicated startup funding when I had the chance... or be able to realize that it wasn't going to be available and I could have formed an alternate plan. <br />
<br />
(Yes, I know I was stupid. I could have taken out that $65,000 the month before and STILL be covering my bills with it if push'd come to shove! Did I mention I'm a fool?)<br />
<br />
When I seek some relief from B of A they say the only HELOCs they’ll re-instate even partially would be for someone in the middle of improving their collateral… in other words, in the middle of a kitchen re-modeling or something.<br />
<br />
B of A and the rest of the gang… fortunately have friends in high places. They’re being gently boosted over the hump. It must be because we need them so badly because of their wisdom.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile...<br />
<br />
My previous tenants leave the house a mess and I'm freaking out. An old acquaintance and her 11 year old daughter are desperate for a place and she is ready to help clean up the place and look for additional roommates for her and her daughter in the main house downstairs. She's able to pay partial rent so frankly I'm grateful to have someone ready to move in on short notice with some cash when I was desperate to keep up with my payments.<br />
<br />
But I can't keep up. One month behind. Two months behind. She finds a roommate!<br />
<br />
I can make a payment!!!<br />
<br />
But the bank won't accept it because if you can't fully catch up its no deal!<br />
<br />
For a couple of months I try to set aside the money but always not enough to catch up. Then my tenant loses what little income she had and there's nothing but the other tenant's rent.<br />
<br />
But now I can't get another tenant because I'm in foreclosure. It's tough to get a tenant while you're in foreclosure. And to tell you the truth... if I'd kicked her and her daughter out they'd have been homeless and I just wasn't going to do that. She's still here. So is the other tenant. SO essentially his rent has payed the bills to keep the basics going utility-wise but no hope to catch up.<br />
<br />
So I’m done. No modification possible. Entrepreneurs don't get HAMP. Possibilities don't count. <br />
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The buyers will get one hell of a deal since the rent WILL more than cover the payment they’ll have to make.<br />
<br />
Now here's the kicker. Cause I know a lot of you think its sad but Dude, you did some stupid things. Why should the taxpayer bail you out!<br />
<br />
And guess what! I'm okay with that. The whole reason I built the Granny unit was to get a lower-overhead situation. Taxpayers shouldn't be propping up house prices OR banks.<br />
<br />
So why can't I stay as a renter? If they'd given me forbearance for a couple of months before shutting the door on any possibility... I could have had fully paying renters and the bank getting its payment. I was never trying to screw them. And was ready and willing to address their needs as well. Up to and including voluntarily relinquishing my house if I could just stay as a damn renter for my old age in the damn unit I built at while paying a fair damn rent????<br />
<br />
BUT THERE WAS NEVER... NEVER a chance to make any kind of arrangement with the bank for the good of all considered... INCLUDING THEM!!!!<br />
<br />
Now their rules apparently demand that I leave altogether this house in which I'm now merely a vagrant squatter. This house I largely built or at least re-built. This house that I'd had to baby and nurse for 20 years and finally made a great place for both me and tenants.<br />
<br />
Wouldn't it have been better for everybody to let it continue as the rental while they found another buyer instead of creating an empty house, profound trauma for all concerned and had a cash flow?<br />
<br />
Every case is different. THAT'S what's needed to be understood by everyone pointing fingers.<br />
<br />
I believe small banks which could not benefit from government bailout would have been much more interested in finding alternatives to foreclosure. But their is such a large disconnect between the top and bottom of these banks that their lower employees have no interest in doing anything other than following their computer prompts and one-size-fits-all forms.<br />
<br />
Okay. I've lost my house. But why must I be punished. Especially when its stupid even from the bank's perspective. If I made mistakes... and I did... they were fewer and less egregious than these banks.<br />
<br />
What perhaps is most maddening is there is NO meaningful communication process with these banks. This amounts to a complete lack of due process for a fundamental of life. <br />
<br />
If those in politics on both sides can't understand why the great 'unwashed' are so upset... <br />
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If they can't understand that every story is different and their one-size-fits-all formulas can't work for anyone but the banks... who pay no prices and bear no burdens...<br />
<br />
then they should expect that more and more will come to believe that the individual is powerless in the face of large corporations;<br />
<br />
that the legal system is failing for all but the most powerful; <br />
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And that the political system is a marketing fraud. <br />
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This is leading to very pernicious set of incentives which will increase the corruptions now growing daily... and lead to the sort of devolution of society from which we are fools to think ourselves immune. <br />
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There are now millions of foreclosures each one devastating to at least one family... and it ripples out to become distressing to their neighbors, and their friends and families as well. <br />
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Faith in the legal, political and economic systems is more crippled than I think is realized. Its a very, very deep wound that people feel has been committed upon them by these vital sectors of their society.<br />
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And they KNOW that the wealth and influence divide... already pernicious... is increasing.<br />
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<i>There's trouble coming... and its not about trouble for this party or that... this election or that... there's trouble coming for the social contract that is the basis of civil society and good governance. I actually believe the financial sector feels immune from this... and for the most part they've been right. But it's not going to last.</i><br />
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I can’t imagine why I’d be dissatisfied with the social contract or how our government sees things.<br />
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BTW: I'm going to fight eviction to the bitter end. All I ask is the right to rent. This is my story in its essentials. I've omitted certain important details of the foreclosure which are not easily substantiated. This is a simple recitation of the easily verifiable elements.Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-79157466049661013812016-02-22T04:31:00.002-08:002016-10-14T08:30:14.339-07:00How Washington's "Pragmatism" is Killing Good Government<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span></div>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">Washington's "pragmatism" is real... and dangerous... precisely because its built on an imbalance of political forces acting upon it... and because of this imbalance in influence... it is very damaging to the nation over time. </span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">The middle class (and the poor as well) have been betrayed by a myriad of devil-in-the-details "compromises" acceptable to the narrow lobbying community impacting the legislative process. </span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">The problem is that the compromises resulting are a product of these selective forces pressing on all sides in the negotiation exacerbated by the lack of meaningful mechanisms for heat-from-the-bottom. This has resulted in "compromises" by BOTH parties that have benefited themselves and their funders while betraying their nominal bases. </span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">This is why the Establishment is becoming so hated by large portions of both the Left and Right as more and more leave both of these Parties. </span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">Its not their disagreements that have done the damage. Its what they've agreed on. (e.g. Greenspan's cheap debt instead of better wages, financial bubble blowing instead of infrastructure repair, private prisons instead of legal reform, etc.... and lastly a complete refusal to address lobbying and campaign funding. </span></span><br />
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><b>This is a meta-political problem not a Right/Left problem. And will never be fixed without addressing meta-political structures. (i.e. lobbying, campaign funding, gerrymandering, voting practices, etc.)</b></span></span></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">While Washington is dysfunctional in most areas of political concern there is one consistent, slow evolution which they've accommodated. And that's not so much towards the Left or the Right... as it is towards the rich, the powerful and the connected.</span></span></div>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">The relationship of ideology to governance is often more one of rationalization than reality. ALL societies are a product of the balance of forces within them. Extremes in wealth and power are a product of a lack of balancing mechanisms offering a pathway for necessary "heat-from-the-bottom". </span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><br /></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">THIS was the fatal error of the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC). Its not that the Democrats should oppose business, but rather that by abandoning their role as representatives of the working class (except in rhetoric)... and abandoning the potentials for broader funding sources to become dependent on the wealthy they've allowed a slow, one chip at a time... erosion of that necessary balance. And ultimately we will all pay the price.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody">In reality, the populist surge in BOTH Parties is a result of their utter deafness to the needs of the mass of people without money or connection. Consider that there was once a time when labor was a meaningful part of the political process though its members held diverse views on social issues (both conservative and liberal)... <br />
<br />
BUT they shared a common interest in better wages and conditions and a fairer "shake" from the Establishment.<br />
<br />
This powerful, economically-focused "heat-from-the-bottom" brought us a fairer distribution of wealth and power. Moreover we were making progress on those social issues and with civil rights generally.... all made easier by a more general (though never perfect) sense that the system was for all of us. <br />
<br />
</span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><i><b>We have been betrayed by this Establishment and must wake up and take the nation back</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><strong><br /></strong></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><strong>A One Click, Low Threshold Contribution Capability: Why It's Necessary for Advocacy</strong></span></div>
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<br />
<div>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2015/09/a-one-click-low-theshold-contribution.html">http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2015/09/a-one-click-low-theshold-contribution.html</a></span></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><b>Self Interest vs Altruism: Problems in Scaling the Decision Process</b></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody"><a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2009/02/self-interest-vs-altruism-problems-in.html">http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2009/02/self-interest-vs-altruism-problems-in.html</a></span></span></div>
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<br />Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-91835475558328503532015-09-07T10:52:00.000-07:002016-02-23T10:07:30.380-08:00A One Click, Low Threshold Contribution Capability: Why It's Necessary for Advocacy<div align="center">
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This short essay focusses on why a broadly available one-click contribution capability <i>at very low thresholds and with volume*</i>... is a needed corrective for changes in our social and economic landscape particularly in advocacy.<br />
<br />
In a separate piece I'll address its utility in journalism where the erosion in mechanisms for funding traditional avenues have left a gap... local newspapers and independent investigatory journalism especially... as well as other areas where this sort of payment can play an important role.<br />
<br />
But here the focus is on politics and its potential use for candidate and issue support.<br />
<br />
This argument is <i>not</i> based on a conviction that it will benefit either the "Left or the Right"... here in quotes because in many cases I no longer believe the political Parties relying on these characterizations represent any consistent set of ideas, but rather because they are used by the Parties... which in practice actually represent those who fund them... as an ideological framework to catalyze a base separate from their true constituents.<br />
<br />
This also is not to suggest that I have any great belief in the wisdom of the mass of people as a whole but rather a conviction in the universality of their appetites. Nor do I doubt the sincerity of their honestly held opinions. But rather I suggest that the narrowness of political funding sources has directly contributed to wealth and power concentration which is detrimental... and may even be fatal to any republic and a sustainable social contract.<br />
<br />
In other words: the focus is on economics where "big money's" effect is greatest and most pernicious.<br />
<br />
In fact I'd suggest that our social (i.e. non-economic) evolution has not been seriously affected by the pre-dominance of narrow sources of funding since it can be argued that the sources of these funds are as diverse on these issues as the rest of us... thereby allowing a reasonable and gradual evolution in these areas.<br />
<br />
But when it comes to economics (wealth, income, taxation, regulation, etc.) it's a different matter altogether. Because what should be obvious is that both the main funders (big money) AND the non funders (most don't contribute at all and it can be argued that the many small donors have little real effect)... share one important characteristic: <i>they'd all like to be better-off economically and they don't want to lose what they have.</i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">See below:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Congress literally doesn’t care what you think</span><br />
<a href="https://represent.us/action/theproblem-4/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">https://represent.us/action/theproblem-4/</span></a><br />
<br />
Now these are not unreasonable goals. To do better and keep what you've got are not in and of themselves pernicious ideas. We can scarcely expect the wealthy to be different from the rest of us. But when advocacy becomes the province of one sector while the rest are for all practicable purposes left speechless a very damaging feedback loop is engendered which over time leads to mutual contempt and distrust between the various segments of a social body.<br />
<br />
This is not a new phenomenon. In fact its as old as civilization itself. I'd argue that wealth and power concentration is a problem which arose along with civilization and is a problem directly related to scaling the human group. Moreover it remains a global problem which very, very few societies have escaped. The proximate feedback mechanisms available to the hunter-gatherer group which made wide wealth disparity impracticable were eroded as the size of the social organism moved beyond the limitations related to our inherent biological altruism. And which cannot be entirely eliminated by the expansion of intellectual altruism no matter how much we wish they could be.<br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">See below:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Issues in Scaling Civilization: The Altruism Dilemma</span></div>
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<a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2012/02/issues-in-scaling-civilization-altruism.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2012/02/issues-in-scaling-civilization-altruism.html</span></a></div>
<br />
It's argued with considerable enthusiasm but little result that the best solution is to eliminate political contribution entirely... both as it relates to candidate support as well as issue support. I argue that not only is that impracticable, but that it will not address the issues related to social proximity and class which create social identifications which are in fact as strong or stronger than ideological predilections and inevitably carry over into governance... at least as it relates to economics.<br />
<br />
As regrettable as it may be... only money can come close to engendering a better balance. Money is quite literally a technology of intention... i.e. it conveys an idea with an objective.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">See Doc Searls </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intention_economy" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Intention Economy</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> for more on that ( though I may be taking the concept a bit farther than he may intend by applying it to the advocacy 'market' as well... as well as to the inherent nature of money itself)</span><br />
<br />
In the U.S. the post war (WWII) development of the middle class was to considerable extent due to its industrialization and labor force requirements which provided a ready vehicle for empowered political feedback (i.e. unions and the money collected from members)... as well as a leadership coterie... though still an elite... largely composed of those who'd felt the democratizing effects of our wartime experience and the experientially significant mutual dependence between the classes.<br />
<br />
But these particulars and just a sample and are not the relevant core of the issue... which is the virtually universal need for mechanisms for providing <i>heat-from-the-bottom</i>.<br />
<br />
<u>Heat-from-the-Bottom</u><br />
<br />
This is the key element... and in fact its been the key since the birth of agriculture. It's the extent to which mechanisms for that heat exist or don't exist that has been lurking behind revolutions and insurrections on one side as well as motivating the creation of legislatures and plebiscites on the other.<br />
<br />
While in general I don't support direct democracy for all issues... and believe forms of representation are necessary if for no other reason than the need for specialization in the details of legislation (where the devil is found)... what can't be denied is the need for mechanisms allowing for a balance of influence and empowerment of their advocates.<br />
<br />
This is the essence of why such a form of payment for advocacy is needed... to allow meaningful support for alternative views so that a better balance may be found.<br />
<br />
I don't argue it as a panacea... nor do I argue that it has no potentials for misuse. But I'd argue that the alternative (i.e.wealth dominated governance) is just as perilous as has repeatedly been seen through history.<br />
<br />
<i><b>Nothing in this suggests that campaign finance reform and limits are not necessary... nor do I suggest that Citizens United should not be overturned.</b> All I'm suggesting is that we all need access to meaningful megaphones... and that scale and circumstances make the volume micropayment a necessity.</i><br />
<br />
Finally, the technology making this possible arose with the Internet and is connected to it... and that is the industry central to making it possible. They have a role to play here... and they must recognize and address it.<br />
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<div>
<strong>How Washington's "Pragmatism" is Killing Good Government</strong><br clear="none" /><a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2016/02/why-washingtons-pragmatism-is-killing.html">http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2016/02/why-washingtons-pragmatism-is-killing.html</a></div>
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<i>The Internet is a landscape and its time to address its public obligations.</i></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">* That the very small one-click payment (even 25 or 50 cents) because of its very low threshold for click through made in response to a mass Internet solicitation would have significant impact on advocacy should be obvious.</span><br />
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<br />Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-11216724931506936442015-08-21T18:40:00.001-07:002017-03-22T19:24:15.092-07:00Cross Platform Micropayment Capable Internet Wallet<div>
Let's assume:</div>
<ol>
<li>A broadly available and lightly burdened micropayment capability (e.g. less than $1) designed for volume solicitations would be useful for various purposes across the web (advocacy, charity, journalism, etc.) </li>
<li>A one-click capability is necessary for micropayment viability (as size of payment decreases... ease of execution must increase)</li>
<li>Likewise secure user identification is necessary for making that payment viable </li>
<li>The pooled-user-determined account design is the wallet design for addressing the fixed transaction charges attached to the large variety of payment sources used for deposit into that wallet thereby enabling the small user payment designations*</li>
<li>Broad availability requires an ability to operate across multiple browsers and Internet-based identification sources</li>
</ol>
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Hence:<br />
<br />
Just as Microsoft Edge can interact with Google Gmail... and various other identity sources similarly interact... SO must a wallet necessary for this type of payment. </div>
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Moreover while such a system can be formed by implementation of such an agreement with the various "identification sources"... the wallet itself should be a separate independent entity serving multiple user silos.</div>
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This high level functionality is uniquely attractive to the soliciting side because of the very low threshold for click through which becomes significant with volume.... not only because of potential money raised.... but leading to longterm supporter acquisition for the soliciting interest.<br />
<br />
* A Brief Outline of the Trust Design for a Micropayment Capable Internet Wallet here:<br />
<a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2017/03/brief-outline-of-thetrust-design-for.html">http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2017/03/brief-outline-of-thetrust-design-for.html</a></div>
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Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-25983962321300273792015-08-04T13:35:00.000-07:002015-10-21T16:22:30.718-07:00Catalyzing a Cash Card System for Public Purposes<div>
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This brief post regards the enabling of a system for the volume micropayment (e.g. less than $1*)... whereby the low threshold for click through ensures a very attractive... even compelling capability for both sides of the transaction... and hence becomes the root for a very valuable enterprise.<br />
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This transaction capability is <wbr></wbr>especially useful... and even essential in the fields of advocacy (political contribution), charity and journalism.<u></u></div>
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A one-click capability is central to maintaining that low threshold.<u></u></div>
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The primary obstacle is some magical piece of code but rather:<u></u><u></u></div>
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<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">establishing the user silo necessary for payer identification<u></u><u></u></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">offering a capability that the users on both sides of the transaction find of unique utility and which can drive broad participation in that silo <u></u><u></u></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">and establishing a method to handle transaction costs at such a low threshold as well as methods for monetizing the system<u></u><u></u></li>
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<span style="color: #1f497d;">T</span>he Pooled-User-Determined Account Trust design is the method underlying the mechanism necessary for a cash card system allowing that transaction and a related utility patent has been issued. (see here: <a href="http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F7870067" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; color: #2596de; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; padding: 0in;">Patent</span></a> )<u></u><u></u></div>
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This system is expressly designed for the <i>volume**</i> solicitation and has particular appeal in charity, advocacy (i.e. political contribution) and journalism. Possible association for this system with an existing 'silo' (e.g. Facebook, Amazon) could greatly facilitate its rapid adoption. Alternatively either a single pay card system or multiple cards adopting this Trust account design could be a home for such a capability. The design does not interfere with the 'typical' transaction and such a card could be fully functional in all areas. Structured as a user-owned co-op is the ideal in my opinion for a number of reasons especially as a sort of counter-balancing force against the privatization of the net.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">* Note: the same system is advantageous for a one-click payment above $1 though it is at these low levels where its greatest advantage will be found. This is is the model for a cash card that can function and monetize exactly like any other cash/gift card.... (some combination of fees at card acquisition and/or fees on the transaction)... the ONLY difference is facilitating a micropayment where sufficient volume is anticipated and the soliciting side guarantees fees sufficient to cover that anticipated minimum.</span></div>
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** Re Volume: In practice this level can be quite low with that limit being most dictated by the soliciting side's advertising costs rather than the card's transaction costs. </div>
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Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-60157646445349396802015-02-10T06:29:00.000-08:002015-02-19T10:10:38.489-08:00The Monied Like Button & The Prepaid Card Sector<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tJY3LTNC10E/VNoVNLkUvoI/AAAAAAAAAn0/tEDAcGgcshM/s1600/micropayments1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tJY3LTNC10E/VNoVNLkUvoI/AAAAAAAAAn0/tEDAcGgcshM/s1600/micropayments1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">The Pooled-User-Determined Account Trust design</span><b>*</b><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> is the key to establishing the <a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2013/12/characteristics-of-monied-like-button.html" target="_blank">monied Like button</a> as a embedded feature for the pre-paid card industry.</span></div>
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The key is the patented Trust design that makes possible the volume micropayment and hence the button... but has NO impact on other transactions <span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">A rough outline...</span></div>
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<u>Path to the Monied "Like" Button:</u></div>
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<ul>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Build the fully functional prototype prepaid card/account (<a href="http://www.chagora.com/" target="_blank">Chagora</a> demo)</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">This is the root for the button... but in order to achieve viability a certain scale must be achieved.... either that card needs to take over the world... or we need to offer the capability to other cards... which can then share usage of that same button.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">Offer the Trust structure to any cash card that wants it... which allows it to function with the 'button'... but does not interfere with a user's other transactions with that card which aren't utilizing "the button"... (This is a benefit the card can offer at little to no cost for that card provider)</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">That Card then becomes part of the "Chagora Network" of cards (those adopting the system) that are able to 'click that button'</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">And the "Button" becomes the nexus point serving multiple cash cards... (and a source of monetization outside the transaction)</li>
</ul>
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There are additional issues regarding fees, identity and profit/cost distribution formulas but nothing which is fundamentally problematic Moreover, the advantages for the prepaid card industry generally should be obvious by giving the sector the key to this eventually ubiquitously used button.</div>
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<b style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">*</b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><i>Its essence is that the user’s information and instructions are kept separate from the funds deposited which are placed in a pooled trust with other account holders but with each individual user retaining complete control over the dispersal of the funds within the limits of his/her share of the trust… combined with an anticipated threshold for total payment designation to the recipient at or above the level required for system viability (a fairly low level in practice)… and how this can greatly reduce transaction costs for the micropayment by passing through incurred transaction costs to the recipient at an easily manageable level. (see </i></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><i><a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2015/01/scale-and-micropayment-missing-lever.html" target="_blank">Scale and the Micropayment: The Missing Lever</a> for additional details and simplified walkthrough).</i></span></span></div>
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Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-41238359860331604372015-01-21T09:14:00.000-08:002015-01-23T09:46:22.055-08:00The Two Types of Lending: Why the difference is important<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4extaxbcGwQ/VL_agycQTVI/AAAAAAAAAlA/aWUQjVFmhBA/s1600/debt-slavery-478x315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4extaxbcGwQ/VL_agycQTVI/AAAAAAAAAlA/aWUQjVFmhBA/s1600/debt-slavery-478x315.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
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When you get to the root of it there are two basic types of lending:</div>
<br />
<b>Productive Lending: </b><br />
An inventor needs funds to develop a new way to catch a mouse which leads to more dead mice, a reduction in plague and a healthier society. We might think of this as entrepreneurial lending or investment which existed long before Adam Smith. And the lender receives some benefit for the risk taken should the invention fail.<br />
<br />
<b>Consumption Lending:</b><br />
This is the kind we're more familiar with. "Will you lend me $10 today to pay for lunch and I'll pay you back next week." This is not designed to create a better society... but is only a method of deferring an obligation. Nothing wrong with it on occasion... it's sometimes needed and helpful as a sort of lubricant for a society and to handle sudden emergencies.<br />
<br />
But these two forms of lending have been erroneously linked (intentionally or otherwise) by the financial sector and an accommodating political system and together form a sort of collective <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confabulation" target="_blank">confabulation</a> . When <i>productive lending</i> is used to create an entity building its business out of <i>chronic</i> <i>consumption lending</i> its time to consider whether a series of pathologies are engendered. I believe they are and the effects are evident.<br />
<br />
The reason institutional lenders seek to engender <i>perpetual</i> dependence on consumption lending is that there is simply not enough to be earned out of truly productive lending. (We have not learned how to deal with a no-growth or slow growth condition). And this is accentuated when a political class stands by while a financial class engenders a popular belief that unrealistic rates of return are to be expected... and some significant portion of the population becomes dependent on those unrealistic returns (ironically for some in the former middle-class while they're often carrying perpetual consumption based-debt at the same time).<br />
<br />
This is simply crazy and has led to perpetual indebtedness for a significant portion of the population... essentially resulting in an eternal lien on their earnings to feed the fantasy that it will all turn out to have been productive.*<br />
<br />
It won't. And its created a very bloated financial sector extracting far too much from the society without adding benefit.<br />
<br />
I cringe when I see those ads where a young person proudly proclaims how well they handle their perpetual indebtedness... and that indebtedness is encouraged as a normal and never ending part of life by the financial sector.<br />
<br />
Its the path to oligarchy, wealth concentration and social division... and we're a long way from fixing it. And the lubricant becomes a leak drawing out the life of the society.<br />
<br />
*Moreover becoming accustomed to an ability to easily borrow leads to a reduced drive for equitable compensation, distorts prices throughout the economy and (at least in the U.S.) commercialization of what should be public functions.<br />
<br />
<i>To use education as an example: while it can be hoped will lead to a better society... and hence seen as "productive investment" , it may not always lead to 'growth' that will match the return lenders demand and actually belongs as a burden on the existing generation... NOT the next one. Its not a burden that should be placed on the population which is expected to secure that future growth. Regardless, depending on growth as never ending and never wavering is not smart. </i><br />
<br />Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-17997283402921797962015-01-16T07:44:00.000-08:002015-01-23T18:25:48.009-08:00Scale and the Micropayment: The missing lever<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tsQPF11oH0g/VLkgNr2ah0I/AAAAAAAAAko/u9nLTHNVJWo/s1600/USBanks%2Bspent%2B%246.8%2Bbillion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tsQPF11oH0g/VLkgNr2ah0I/AAAAAAAAAko/u9nLTHNVJWo/s1600/USBanks%2Bspent%2B%246.8%2Bbillion.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The answer to <i>BIG</i> money is <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>small</i></span> money... and <b>scale</b>! </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The pooled-user-determined account design makes the micropayment (e.g less than $1) viable and simple by addressing the problem of fixed transaction costs that virtually ALL payment systems now require.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With broad availability this capability entirely alters the contribution landscape and the capability for interests not now capable of being heard to have a voice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From the <a href="http://www.chagora.com/FAQ.aspx" target="_blank">FAQ</a>: “…designed to empower the small donor in the civic marketplace… strictly non-partisan… NOT a PAC… (but) an engineered response to the failures, while unintentional, of systems to accommodate the loss of voice for the citizen in this political sphere…”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The advocacy related micropayment* is a missing fundamental of speech and acts as the root and driver for a civic-oriented ecosystem which will do well... by doing good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The most important uses for the volume micropayment capability are to be found in advocacy, charity and journalism. And its implementation is best implemented via a neutral utility designed for these purposes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(I do NOT believe these capabilities should be divided... i.e. a separate utility for each segment of the recipient populations in these areas)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From a practical perspective here's why a political contribution utility belongs as part of a more general system (there are already a few narrowly focused contribution utilities but in my opinion they are very inefficient payment designs and won't alter the landscape by bleeding too much from the transaction in order to support themselves.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why add Charity:<u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u><u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u></span></div>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.4599990844727px; margin: 0px 0px 20px 1em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="ecxim" style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;">
<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Charity attracts a larger and less seasonal user base<u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u><u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u></span></li>
</span>
<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Opens the possibility for employer/employee linkage for charity matching. Many employers offer possibilities for an employee to make charitable contributions via deduction from paychecks with employer matching for charitable contribution (but not political contribution)... this could encourage user base expansion by offering account creation through employment<u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u></span></li>
<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Offers monetization opportunities for charity/corporate web based promotions: "e.g.Contribute to a charity and print out a coupon or code for a free roll of film at CostCo" <u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u><u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Why add the Micropayment:<u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u><u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u></span></div>
<ul style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4599990844727px; margin: 0px 0px 20px 1em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em;"><span class="ecxim" style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.4599990844727px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;">Low clickthrough resistance catalyzes larger base and more frequent usage<u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u><u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u></li>
<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="color: #444444;">RE: does it add up to much? A hypothetical: 150 million (apporx # of registered voters) X 50 cents ( 2 quarters a week) X 104 weeks (</span><span style="color: blue;">2 year election cycle</span><span style="color: #444444;">) =</span><span style="color: blue;"> <b>$7.8 Billion</b></span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"><u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u><u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u></span></span></li>
</span></span>
<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.4599990844727px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Low resistance stimulates recipient interests who will immediately see potential in both dollars and their own ability to build an involved base.<u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u><u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u></span></li>
<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.4599990844727px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">From a theoretical perspective I'd argue its a fundamental of speech (this doesn't negate the need for limits and transparency... as well a a role for public funding... but only that no single segment should have a loudspeaker while the rest of us are voiceless.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Live Elements:<u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u><u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u></span></div>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.4599990844727px; margin: 0px 0px 20px 1em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em;">
<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Potential for web/mobile live events for charitable, political and debate connected purposes in real time.<u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u><u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u></span></li>
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<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;">Media associations in the live event context <u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u><u style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"></u></li>
<li class="ecxMsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;">The Chagora Live Debate Function (<a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2009/02/chagora-live-debate-function.html" style="color: #0068cf; cursor: pointer; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 18.4599990844727px;" target="_blank">http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2009/02/chagora-live-debate-function.html</a>)</li>
</span></span></ul>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.4599990844727px;">
<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Defining t</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.4599990844727px;">he Pooled-User-Determined Account</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;" /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.4599990844727px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Its essence is that the user’s information and instructions are kept separate from the funds deposited which are placed in a pooled trust with other account holders but with each individual user retaining complete control over the dispersal of the funds within the limits of his/her share of the trust… combined with an anticipated threshold for total payment designation to the recipient at or above the level required for system viability (a fairly low level in practice)… and how this can greatly reduce transaction costs for the micropayment by passing through incurred transaction costs to the recipient at an easily manageable level.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;" /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.4599990844727px;">
<i style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A simplified walkthrough:</span></i></div>
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<ul style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.4599990844727px; margin: 0px 0px 20px 1em; padding: 0px 0px 0px 1em;">
<li style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">User deposits $20 in his/her account with a Visa card*</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chagora (the payment utility) reimburses Visa for the transaction charges incurred</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">User now has $20 available on account</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">User responds to a solicitation to ‘click here’ to make a 25 cent contribution to “Save the Whales”</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The recipient (“Save the Whales”) receives a similar ‘click’ from 79 others responding to their mass solicitation</span></li>
<li style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Save the Whales” reimburses Chagora for the transaction fee it would have paid to Visa for a single $20 contribution made directly to it.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Personally I've long agreed with Paul Volker that there's been only one worthwhile financial innovation in the last several decades... the ATM. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I argue that this is the second.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Something to think about:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;">If the micropayment existed for advocacy (i.e. lobbying)... which it should and could to significant effect... and then the law tried to ban it... while not banning other monetary lobbying... would the Supreme Court allow that ban to stand?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;">I contend that since that form of payment can be viably done...and so long as other monetary lobbying exists... it MUST be done. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;">"Being right too soon is socially unacceptable."</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;">- Robert A. Heinlein</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;">"I know."</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4599990844727px;">-Tom Crowl</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444;"><br /></span></span>
* its worth noting that while its designed as a pre-paid cash card system... it can function seamlessly for the user in the same way as more typical payment systems... (e.g. deposit $20 and immediately pay out the $20)<br />
Patent #7,870,067 granted January 11, 2011 (<a href="http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F7870067" target="_blank">here</a>)<br />
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<br />Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-8522995744648825282014-10-07T07:08:00.000-07:002016-05-08T16:25:02.021-07:00Thoughts on the Biosocial Roots of Oligarchy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wQsC6MI3uZA/VDPzlubTs3I/AAAAAAAAAjc/7ft8O_8LBvo/s1600/word-cloud-for-oligarchy-with-related-tags-and-terms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wQsC6MI3uZA/VDPzlubTs3I/AAAAAAAAAjc/7ft8O_8LBvo/s1600/word-cloud-for-oligarchy-with-related-tags-and-terms.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The focus of the brief essay is to explore the <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/biosocial" target="_blank">biosocial</a> roots of oligarchy. By oligarchy I refer to a pathological concentration of wealth and power. While it may not be possible to define precisely the point at which such concentration becomes a pathology... to deny that it occurs is fantasy.<br />
<br />
Its also undeniable that this pathology arises under a variety of contradictory political ideologies whether Right, Left, Marxist, Fascist or Monarchist... and including those attempting various forms of citizen representation.<br />
<br />
I here suggest that its roots lie not in ideology which while not insignificant either in abetting or inhibiting it (at least for some period of time) ultimately cannot overcome the forces which promote it without constraints which are not rooted in ideology... but rather in addressing our biosocial origins.<br />
<br />
We often think of Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau as forming a sort of founding trio for the intellectual roots concerning ideas of modern governance despite their considerable disagreements; that they offer a series of guideposts towards framing the relationship between the individual and the state. And that their differences can be used as points of departure for later ideological formulations.<br />
<br />
But it is their point of agreement that here concerns me. That is... each begins by defining the individual's relationship to nature. And this has utility... and I'm almost (but not quite) a libertarian in my support of individual rights (and responsibilities... an aspect often neglected).<br />
<br />
The problem I see... and the element forming the tragically neglected philosophical link to questions of governance... <i>is the relationship of the human group to nature and to other groups</i>. For no man exists in nature in isolation. We are from our inception... and in our very genetics social creatures.<br />
<br />
Moreover, the nature of our 'sociability' is... (to an extent political ideologies and philosophies completely ignore)... tied to cognitive limits and in-group vs. out-group definitions (biological altruism)... all of which are expressed in the idea of a hypothetical size for a 'natural human group'... i.e. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunbar's_number" target="_blank">Dunbar's Number</a>.<br />
<br />
While a developing and much-needed intellectual altruism can serve beneficial purposes in expanding one's social identity... it alone is not sufficient to combat the forces leading to concentration... and alone will not suffice. (I'd argue in fact that dependence on some sudden change in human nature as remedy not only will fail... but leads to a backlash and reactionary divisions.)<br />
<br />
My interest is exploring the problems arising with scale; to better understand how moving from our small group origins to the nation state... and eventually global civilization... can survive what I believe will be accelerating stresses on social cohesion.<br />
<br />
This is a particular problem because of what I see as an unfortunate equation: that as the scale of civilization increases along with its complexity and technology (especially ICT)... its vulnerability increases. (i.e. it takes fewer and fewer to disrupt more and more).<br />
<br />
... and that questions of governance become more critical. Especially if we desire a world where individual freedom and creativity is maximized... while at the same time requiring critical issues of global concern to be effectively addressed.<br />
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I don't claim to have the answers. And would welcome the suggestions of others. To me it seems the problems of global civilization are approaching at a rate far in excess of our ability to address them.<br />
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This is a work in progress. I'm an amateur and claim no authority other than whatever sense these thoughts may offer.<br />
<br />
I'd like to end this brief overview with a few ideas I work with which seem to have relevance. (arguments against these assumptions are welcome)<br />
<br />
1. There's a scaling problem in human societies connected to our biology. I call it the <a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2012/02/issues-in-scaling-civilization-altruism.html" target="_blank">altruism dilemma</a>... which is related to biological altruism (ingroup vs. outgroup definitions) and the cognitive limits which lead to the concept of Dunbars Number. In short its why the death of your dog will impact you more than the death of a thousand people you don't know... and why that distinction is a survival necessity. Another related assertion is that its impossible for any small group as an economic entity to maintain wide wealth divisions... whatever its economic level. And that's because immediate and proximate mechanisms of feedback will check imbalances beyond some narrow limit.<br />
<br />
With scale these checking mechanisms are weakened and/or lost. And it is this which has allowed the growth of classes, castes, commercialized slavery, etc. The usual checking mechanism in these situations is revolution, collapse, cultural senescence or some combination.<br />
<br />
2. The 'economy' (metabolism) of a human group of whatever size is literally the sum (net vector) of its decisions. That is literally all decisions made by individuals, sub-groups, as well as the social organism as a whole. Here a <i>decision</i> is specifically defined as an intention (idea with an objective) plus a related action. Decisions may be motivated by many different things... e.g. love, hate, jealousy, ambition, money, altruism, etc. (Doc Searls and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intention_economy" target="_blank">Intention Economy</a> is really on to something with the concept... but my feeling is that its not only relevant for business/customer relations. I suggest that its relationship to governance and the health of civilization itself needs more attention. A related factor: these decisions will not always be in harmony and in fact will often conflict. This in itself is neither bad nor good... but is inherent... and simply reflects the reality.<br />
<br />
3. Money is a technology which catalyzes 'chains of decision'.. (i.e. it transfers an intention + an action... enabling another intention + an action by the recipient.). Money was made necessary because of problems of scale and the need/desire to carry on these chains beyond the Dunbar-sized group.<br />
<br />
While viewing it as a 'store of value' has utility... it may be that this additional aspect requires attention (as Keynes understood). This also leads to a recognition of the problems of money creation and hypothecation... (the failure of the current global system is apparent to me at least and even some Central Banks... and/or bankers within them.)<br />
<br />
4. Natural characteristics of networks... along with a few other factors (especially the altruism dilemma) will over time tend to concentrate both money and power.<br />
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5. Lending and borrowing INEVITABLY become irreconcilable and will never balance in the long haul... yet the natural drive to produce a balance... necessary on the granular level (each lender/borrower viewed in isolation) becomes increasingly problematic over time and in aggregate.<br />
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6. The almost unlimited human power of rationalization can and does overcome cognitive dissonance... and is a real biologically-rooted phenomena which by its very nature we are unable to recognize in ourselves. (I am no exception)<br />
<br />
7. Concentration and control of the tools of intention and action (i.e. wealth and power)... along with the cognitive dissonance (at both ends of the wealth gap)... lead to problems in the functioning of the society... even where there are no resource or environmental issues inhibiting its development... and its even worse where there are. This leads to social/political conflict between the classes.<br />
<br />
8. Sorry, can't resist this one: Ayn Rand wrote great "comic books without pictures" but was disastrous as an economic/political philosopher. And to the degree that her ideas have shaped political/economic ideas into a simplistic Social Darwinism is a disaster... along with a great example of rationalization and cognitive dissonance in action.<br />
<br />
9. "Kumbayah philosophies" (some sudden change in human belief) won't fix this... and in fact no ideology will be sufficient to fix this.. though an expansion of philosophic altruism is an important assist... as well as a practical flattening of wealth and power division.<br />
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There's more that could be said... as well as derivative conclusions which may be found assuming their truth but this is what I'm thinking about.<br />
<br />
Finally... from Anton Chekov and his Charachter Vershinin (The Three Sisters)<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #674ea7;">"It goes without saying that you cannot conquer the mass of darkness round you; little by little, as you go on living, you'll be lost in the crowd. You'll have to give in to it. Life will get the better of you, but still you'll not disappear without a trace. After you there may appear perhaps six like you, then twelve and so on until such as you form a majority. In two or three hundred years, life on earth will be unimaginably beautiful, marvellous. Man needs such a life and, though he hasn't got it yet, he must have a presentiment of it, expect it, dream of it, prepare for it; for that he must see and know more than his father and grandfather."</span></i><br />
<br />
I just don't think we have two or three hundred years to deal with the scaling problem.<br />
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Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-70760207472468613922014-06-12T16:37:00.000-07:002014-06-15T04:57:11.187-07:00A Very Brief Observation on Evolution, Scale and Wealth Division<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ncR-lUQV9bM/U5o08APX2tI/AAAAAAAAAhc/9gioMqBYWm0/s1600/Hunter-Gatherer+Egalitarianism+by+Christopher+Boehm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ncR-lUQV9bM/U5o08APX2tI/AAAAAAAAAhc/9gioMqBYWm0/s1600/Hunter-Gatherer+Egalitarianism+by+Christopher+Boehm.jpg" height="217" width="320" /></a></div>
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From <a href="https://libcom.org/files/Hunter-Gatherer%20Egalitarianism%20by%20Christopher%20Boehm.pdf" target="_blank">Conflict and the Evolution of Social Control</a> by Christopher Boehm:</div>
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<i>"100,000 years ago, humans, aided by much larger brains and by an advanced form of communication, created communities that could hold down not only domination behaviours by alpha individuals, but any </i><i>other behaviour they identified as being directly or potentially deleterious to members of the group."</i></div>
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<u>Does Economic Egalitarianism in a Global Civilization Require Social/Cultural Homogeneity?</u></div>
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It was very difficult for a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunbar's_number" target="_blank">Dunbar-sized</a> hunter-gatherer community (or I'd contend any small human group anywhere at any time) to maintain a significant 'wealth' gap... with a few fat and sassy at one end and the others with protruding bellies bloated from starvation.<br />
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Internal feedback mechanisms would make that a very difficult situation to maintain. But we see it all the time here on planet earth. And somehow we see it as an inevitable aspect of human life.<br />
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It's all about perspective. Consider this:<br />
<br />
In a sense while we may <i>intellectually</i> know how big the universe is... and how long its been around.... in another very real but practical sense... <i>we think of our time as all time and our place as all places.</i><br />
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And because of that bounded perspective many think of the wealth gap as natural and inevitable.<br />
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Depending on where you draw the line... we became "human" long before the birth of agriculture... at least many thousands of years before.<br />
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During that long morning wealth gaps within any given social body couldn't be maintained. That capability ONLY arose with scale.<br />
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Looking at a longer time frame... I don't believe we can ultimately maintain these divisions as the social organism becomes global.* We need to recognize that the relationship between our biology and our feedback mechanisms suggests this must be addressed fairly soon.<br />
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* Its becoming global as a metabolism whether we like it or not... and external markets don't really exist.<br />
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F<i>ewer and fewer can do greater and greater damage to a technology dependent and complex society. Hence a justice imperative becomes more urgent with technological advancement. </i><br />
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I'm not religious... and he'd phrase it in a different way.... but in some sense I think our new Pope is on to this scaling problem.<br />
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One can only hope that in another few thousand years we'll look on this period or wide division as an aberration in the growth of human civilization.<br />
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The trick may be to find a way to foster economic equality (in life's necessities) in the midst of a cacophony of conflicting world views.<br />
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The only path forward must be an embrace of 'not knowing'. While the security of religious/political/economic dogmas may be seductive...<br />
<br />
Our survival may depend on a global embrace of perpetual uncertainty... a very difficult ideology to sell.<br />
<br />
I don't believe there's a way forward otherwise.Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-77407132516497677862014-04-25T07:37:00.000-07:002014-04-25T07:54:13.765-07:00Issues in Scaling Civilization: The Money Dilemma<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ab-eQQ8i4fY/U1px_HQlV_I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/T32afReZ8bo/s1600/Hunter+gathere+ipos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ab-eQQ8i4fY/U1px_HQlV_I/AAAAAAAAAgQ/T32afReZ8bo/s1600/Hunter+gathere+ipos.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The money dilemma is an inevitable corollary of the <a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2012/02/issues-in-scaling-civilization-altruism.html" target="_blank">altruism dilemma</a> and is similarly directly related to scale.<br />
<br />
The Altruism Dilemma is an assertion that there's an inherent bias in sub-groups responsible for decision making in composite human groups larger than some low multiple of Dunbar's Number resulting from a loss of social proximity.<br />
<br />
Money is a technology required for just such human groups. It's required precisely because once a certain size is reached for such a social organism... some tool is needed to substitute for the personal relationships and proximate and immediate mechanisms of feedback available within a smaller group in order to conduct exchanges in goods and services.<br />
<br />
In other words money is a tool designed to substitute for what in a smaller group is handled by trust and immediate mechanisms for feedback.<br />
<br />
ALL laws, regulations, courts, legislatures and kings... are rather clumsily and often accidentally designed <i>technologies </i>intended to substitute for capabilities lost along with the social and often physical proximity that confront scaling of the human group.<br />
<br />
This brings us to the dilemma which has to do with currency and credit creation:<br />
<br />
<i>There is an inevitable bias which will infect any system of currency or credit creation and eventually result in pathological concentration where this dilemma is not actively and continuously addressed.</i><br />
<br />
This is hardly a new assertion and I don't claim it to be.<br />
<br />
However its important to note that because of the same altruism dilemma... a feedback loop develops accentuating the degradation of the social contract and increased animosity between the various sub-networks within the larger organism...<br />
<br />
which justifies an increased 'de-humanization' of each side in relation to the other... and leads to collapse, revolution... and/or stagnation and senescence.<br />
<br />
SO... this is an assertion that currency and credit creation cannot be handed off to some small group (especially one with similar backgrounds and interests) without pernicious results.<br />
<br />
While I try to avoid specific cases... its an obvious conclusion that the creation of the Federal Reserve (and similar around the world)... while intended to de-politicize the process... has not been able to address this dilemma.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>What I am claiming is that that the science is in. That the altruism dilemma is not a political or philosophical assertion but a scientific one (which in fact obliterates the phony 'science' of Rands "Objectivism", pure Libertarianism... and many of its philosohphical/political children.)</i></div>
<br />
<br />Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-18770439616890111002014-03-13T06:42:00.000-07:002014-04-24T10:22:10.163-07:00Prices, Costs and the Altruism Dilemma or: How loving my dog makes the price of diamonds too high... and the cost of mining them too low.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pJCtSsl3PM0/UyG1aGVC3tI/AAAAAAAAAe8/tCBNnmMrvts/s1600/dogs+and+diamonds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pJCtSsl3PM0/UyG1aGVC3tI/AAAAAAAAAe8/tCBNnmMrvts/s1600/dogs+and+diamonds.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
First let me explain what I mean by the <a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2012/02/issues-in-scaling-civilization-altruism.html">altruism dilemma</a>.<br />
Its not a dilemma because we're not altruistic enough... (though more is better).<br />
Its not a dilemma because we're TOO altruistic... (this is the Ayn Rand complaint).<br />
<br />
The altruism dilemma refers to the gap... the unavoidable gap... between biological and intellectual altruism.<br />
<br />
The best illustration I can give to express the reality of biological altruism is to ask you to ask yourself:<br />
Which would cause you more emotional distress: the death of your dog? or the death of 100 people in a typhoon on the other side of the world?<br />
<br />
Unless you're very unusual or not being totally honest it will be the first... the death of your dog. You'll feel it in your gut.<br />
<br />
It's biology... not philosophy. This is connected closely to something called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunbar's_number">Dunbar's Number</a> and the fact that there are actual physical cognitive limits to the number of meaningful relationships we can handle.<br />
<br />
If you think about it you'll realize it has to be this way. If every death caused us the same distress as the death of our dog (or our mate)... no civilization could form. We'd all be in constant grief.<br />
<br />
So a certain level of 'emotional numbness' is necessary for a civilization to form at all.<br />
<br />
This necessary numbness creates a stress which arises both within and between scaled human groups (civilizations, nations, races, creeds, etc).<br />
<br />
Its about 'the other'... the 'stranger'...<br />
<br />
This is why slaves and castes and classes arose. In a very sad way... it has to be said that these were natural and even inevitable products of this dilemma that arose as we grew our societies beyond our hunter-gatherer roots.<br />
<br />
Now Intellectual altruism will certainly make a difference... and HAS! And that should be applauded. Over the last few thousand years a whole lot of progress has been made.<br />
<br />
But this progress was not made by intellectual advance alone... it took laws and wars and a whole lot of turmoil by suppressed groups in order to wake-up the dominant culture.<br />
<br />
Generally this 'wake-up' only occurs when the existing situation becomes unsustainable... rather than because of a simple, moral realization that "its the right thing to do".<br />
<br />
And ultimately any sustainable, viable fixes require technology. But not necessarily technology as we normally think of it... gadgets and telephones and cars that drive themselves. That won't do it.<br />
<br />
This requires the technology of laws and courts and regulators... and yes, sometimes even the technology of soldiers at the schoolhouse door.<br />
<br />
We are nowhere near the end of this evolution... and this is a dilemma that will never end.<br />
<br />
SO... then we come to diamonds and the man who digs them out of the ground.<br />
<br />
I don't condemn the guy who buys a diamond ring for his wife... he isn't evil... just unaware and a little numb. And so may be the billionaire who pays a $100 million for a painting in order to donate it to a museum open to everybody.<br />
<br />
I just think it needs to be understood why diamonds cost a lot... but the diamond miner lives in squalor.<br />
<br />
It's because you love your dog!<br />
<br />
Don't blame yourself... there's nothing wrong with that. I'm the same.<br />
<br />
But let's attend to our technologies: tools like laws, regulations and mechanisms for meaningful citizen feedback. Because the human group doesn't scale naturally. It requires conscious intervention.<br />
<br />
And that's what sets humans apart... Our ability to act UN-naturally.<br />
<br />
An un-testable and undefinable <a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2009/05/on-birth-of-global-social-organism.html">assertion</a>... but maybe something to think about:<br />
<br />
<i>Only when the gap in wealth and status approaches that level which would be considered fair within a Dunbar’s number-sized social network in daily contact… only then can we consider the possibility of a healthy, scaled social organism*.</i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*A self-recognized and internally governed economic/political grouping organized for basic survival decisions and actions.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-43306318602231407702013-12-11T08:27:00.000-08:002016-05-12T15:15:19.451-07:00Characteristics of the Monied "Like" Button<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9xuHuRJnghU/UqiQzqG_OBI/AAAAAAAAAd4/Z20vEuJDGVA/s1600/25+cent+button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9xuHuRJnghU/UqiQzqG_OBI/AAAAAAAAAd4/Z20vEuJDGVA/s1600/25+cent+button.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
First a definition. What do I mean?<br />
<br />
Its just a simple icon clearly designating a micropayment of specific value.<br />
<br />
And while micropayments can be defined in many ways, for the purposes of this discussion let's just think of a micropayment as small change (e.g. a penny, nickel, dime or quarter).<br />
<br />
I and others have written about how they can be used. And a considerable amount of thought has been given to how to accomplish them (just Google <i>micropayment patents</i>). And there are a few systems out that have tried to give them some level of public use (e.g. <a href="http://flattr.com/" target="_blank">flattr</a> and <a href="http://www.kachingle.com/" target="_blank">kachingle</a>).<br />
<br />
SO... where's the button? Why don't we have that button?<br />
<br />
Why don't I see a web solicitation asking me to 'click here to give 25 cents' to fight human trafficking... or to read an author's short story.... or to purchase rights to utilize a copy of an artist's photograph?<br />
<br />
Is it because should such a button exist no one would click it? Is it thought that that such small amounts couldn't ever add up to much? Is it because the soliciting side has no interest and sees no potential?<br />
<br />
How about this... which ever side you're on regarding healthcare reform... if this capacity was broadly out there... would other approaches have been on the table?<br />
<br />
What would a very low threshold for clickthrough and large numbers able to click it... do for charity? Or journalism? Or politics?<br />
<br />
Ever hear of Facebook's "<a href="http://brooksley%20born/" target="_blank">Causes</a>"? What if joining a cause with a click also meant giving 25 or 50 cents? Would that stop people from joining? What effect might it have on the Causes themselves? And their relationship to their base?<br />
<br />
Maybe a widely available "monied Like button" would do nothing... maybe nobody would use it... maybe it would be dangerous for politics... maybe it would destroy professionalism in journalism by encouraging too many amateurs... maybe blah, blah, blah, etc. etc.<br />
<br />
Fascinating questions...<br />
<br />
But that's not why that button isn't out there.<br />
<br />
And it's not because we don't know how to make a micropayment financially feasible. We do.<br />
<br />
And it's not because we don't know how to make it secure. We do.<br />
<br />
And it's not because we don't know how to make a one-click payment. We do.<br />
<br />
And frankly, its not because nobody would use it... nor is it because it has no worthwhile uses.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>IT'S BECAUSE THE SOLICITING SIDE NEEDS A SINGLE PATHWAY ABLE TO REACH A VERY WIDE USER BASE ABLE TO CLICK THE BUTTON!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And that either requires that every user be using the same 'wallet' (a monopoly)...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
OR...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A system whereby many or even <a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2013/12/one-click-micropayment-capability-for.html">all payment providers</a> (wallets) can operate through the same button.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What is most important to note is that BOTH approaches (and I can think of no other)... require at least some centralized element.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And this is necessary not only for the mechanics to work (making possible that single vehicle for input that the soliciting side needs)... but for the many and constant decisions that must be made... (large numbers and a potential for very high speed transfers make fraud prevention a not insignificant consideration.)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Moreover, the more-or-less universal participation required for it to function meaningfully at all suggests that the resulting network may have other important potentials for assisting what I would call empowered human association.*</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
*e.g. I believe the resulting network can play a needed and missing role in assisting localized fundraising... and local organization for community purposes. The core required by this capability... which theoretically could be global... and assist in organization on a global scale... may be even more important in encouraging the kind of face-to-face association that Malcolm Gladwell feels is sorely missing and the Internet is sorely neglecting. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But I'll leave that for another post. The focus of this one can be stated in a few bullet points:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>The micropayment is NOT like other forms of payment... because its effectiveness rests on ubiquitous availability AND ease of execution</li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "new york" , "times" , serif;">A unification needs to occur for this form of payment to ever be widely used</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "new york" , "times" , serif;">There are important public considerations to be considered in its operation.</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "new york" , "times" , serif;">And a final note:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "new york" , "times" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "new york" , "times" , serif;">The micropayment's potential only arises with scale. Practical considerations may suggest that its a capability which cannot grow from a small enterprise. For instance, the Facebook model </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "new york" , "times" , serif;">(or before that MySpace)</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "new york" , "times" , serif;"> could grow from small beginnings. Within even a Dunbar-sized network such a platform can serve a purpose... whether for a college class or small town. This is not the case for a 'monied Like button. As is the case for its namesake... the "monied" Like button has no value unless great numbers have the option to click it. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "new york" , "times" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "times new roman" , "new york" , "times" , serif;">Catalyze the Network!</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
P.S. I just stole that image of a 25 cent ticket for this post. But I would have happily clicked a button to pay a quarter for it... and I'm a very poor fellow. Enabling the micropayment is a big deal.</div>
<br />Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-89626165446079117672013-12-05T08:30:00.002-08:002015-01-19T16:18:22.420-08:00One-Click Micropayment Capability for Volume Solicitations and Multiple Providers<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
I want to give you an important update and a description of a revised and expanded model for one-click micropayments. Both models present an opportunity for a stronger voice for the Commons which extends beyond the micropayment itself.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<i>Because its also about the network which needs to arise to make that possible.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQ_4q_WMSVs/UqCpS1Oo7LI/AAAAAAAAAdo/9gthN33h24E/s1600/micropayments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQ_4q_WMSVs/UqCpS1Oo7LI/AAAAAAAAAdo/9gthN33h24E/s1600/micropayments.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
This is why: </div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<i>For the Internet micropayment to be able to play the role it must the soliciting side must have a single vehicle which can reach many (or all) users. </i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
(e.g. A "Save the Whales" solicitation that says "click here to give 25 cents" needs one 'button'... not a separate button for every paycard)</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
This is the problem the <a href="http://www.chagora.com/" target="_blank">Chagora</a> model faces... While I actually believe it would be better for such a 'transaction landscape' to be unified... with everyone a member or the same 'landscape"...</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Its not very likely that the financial services industry... or apparently people in general are going to go for that... its not likely that I can get everyone into a single payment vehicle even if the industry was interested. There are a lot of paycards out there.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b style="font-size: 13px;">However its possible that a solution exists that can allow for both many payment vehicles... and yet have a core which can become the avenue for a stronger Commons.... along with a path to a more involved and capable citizenry.</b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I've been at this for quite a while. Its been clear to me from the start that this capability offers an opportunity to build a needed institution... that will be missed if its neglected. And I don't believe its gotten that attention it deserves.</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I'm trying to thread a needle between large private interests and the public good. If I can place this public network at the heart of the private transaction landscape... I believe it can be part of a better balance between public and private interests.</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Maybe I"m wrong... but it seems worth talking about before its too late. The devil really is in the details. And the public needs to pay attention to the details. Cause its the details that are killing them. The ideologies are distractions. </div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<b>Please support giving the public a role in development, ownership and governance of what can and should be a citizens' utility.</b></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">One-click Micropayment
Capability for Volume Solicitations</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">(and multiple providers)</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">This is a method for making a one-click micropayment capability (e.g.
<$1) available via multiple avenues (e.g. web, mobile, email)…<i> <u>and
multiple payment providers</u>… <u>yet can be authorized via the single input
vehicle required by the soliciting side</u>.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">This essential form of micropayment (and its very low threshold for
click through) has special utility in charity, journalism, advocacy and
entertainment. And is a tool which once available will eventually be used by
all at least occasionally.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">While I’ve previously
addressed how this can be viably accomplished for a single Internet wallet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">(see <a href="http://www.chagora.com/">www.Chagora.com</a> for demo and link to patent)…</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">in this model the key
is the creation of a repository for certain user information which also acts as
a conveyor of decision for its users within the narrowly defined boundaries of
its charter… along with its relationships to the various providers that are
part of its network.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">As in the model for
how a single provider could offer the capability... <i>Its</i></span><i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> essence is that the user’s information and instructions
are kept separate from the funds.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> Except in this configuration the separation is complete...
with the Chagora network's function being limited to acting as a holder of
certain user information... and offering a pathway for users' instructions....
but not holding or transferring funds itself.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">This is done by
building a decision pathway outside the 'user/provider' relationship... with
the Chagora button acting as a User's authorized agent for a transfer from
payer to recipient.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">*</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">The biggest changes
to the model involve how incurred transaction charges are handled... and how
recipient transaction charges and fees are distributed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">This model also
suggests that Providers can be induced to abandon fixed transaction charges
(but not the profit potential) <i>on a very small and clearly defined
portion of their users' transactions</i>... and see that they <i>should
not do this unilaterally... but only in connection with this network... and
that its to their benefit to do it this way.</i></span><b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">**</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Starting with the
basics...</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Requirements for a
broadly available one-button micropayment for volume solicitations (e.g. under
$1):</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Transaction must be
secure<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Transaction must be
financially viable<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Transaction must be
offerable by ANY provider of Internet transaction (wallets, debit cards, credit
cards, etc.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">While at the same
time... Transaction must require only one button (i.e. one transaction decision
pathway. <i>The soliciting side needs a single “button” to reach all...
not a different button for every card or wallet wanting to offer a micropayment
capability for its users... this is key!</i>)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">microtransaction
vehicle must be able to handle ALL categories of legal transaction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">microtransaction
vehicle must be an attractive option for all sides (payers, payees and payment
providers part of the network)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Conversely must be
disadvantageous for a payment provider to NOT utilize this microtransaction network
for volume solicitations and to 'go-it-alone'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">microtransaction
vehicle must have viable path to monetization while still advantaging all
sides.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">The Process:</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">User joins a payment
provider part of the Chagora network<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">User opts-in to
Chagora network participation via his/her payment provider<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">User sets default card
for Chagora transactions (if user has more than one provider that is part of
this network)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">User allows limited
access by Chagora to his/her account for certain information and for payment on
his/her Chagora button authorizations<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Provider receives
demand from Chagora on behalf of the recipient contracting with it for the
relevant solicitation... and based on Users' authorizations via Chagora button<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 47.25pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Provider pays
recipient directly for authorizations made via that provider's users... less
fees charged</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Transfers of funds
between payment provider, recipient and Chagora as determined by any
existing agreements involving the parties<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">*</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Re: Securing the Clicked Chagora button</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> ID being secured by dependence on user
being signed into some recognized system of validation (browser, facebook,
email address, mobile device, etc.) in addition to other typical security
steps... including periodic email confirmation… inherent limits being placed on
amounts passable via this system, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">** </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Re: Would providers abandon fixed charges on
Chagora payments? </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Central
to opening up this market is the single button for the recipient side despite
many different providers. Since Chagora in this configuration is entirely
separate from the money.. finance charges no longer need to be recovered by
it... and transaction costs are shifted away from it. But they are certainly of
primary concern to the providers as they are their bread-and-butter. First
issue is finding the 'true cost' of the transaction... (not the marketing
determination of price) which I believe is close to zero.... fixed transaction
charges are legacies of 'green-eyeshade' accounting where each debit had to be
manually entered.... and are retained for marketing rather than cost issues.
Moreover their Chagora transactions are likely to be only a very small part of
their total volume.... but to NOT be part of such a network would put such a
provider at a significant disadvantage. Additionally... the resulting Chagora
network becomes a source of additional monetization which COULD (but I'd rather
it not) be shared with providers in the network.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Additional Note:</span></b></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 13.333333015441895px; text-indent: -24px;">The "one-click capability"... refers to a simple payment interface not requiring user input of identity or amount and which is associated with a particular clearly identified micropayment value. (e.g. a 25 cent button... a 50 cent button... etc.) ... or which</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-size: 13.333333015441895px; text-indent: -24px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.333333015441895px; text-indent: -24px;">can be adjustable by the user within limits (this would be an additional and optional feature not directly related to the core method)</span></span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-17191245705625712962013-05-02T06:02:00.000-07:002013-05-05T09:53:45.508-07:00Scaling Influence: Campaign Finance, Small Money and Large Numbers<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: center;">
<b>Small money and large numbers will break the hold of big money in Congress.</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nks6Gum_zOc/UYJiSLq2lQI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/usxwOtrph3Q/s1600/lobbyists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nks6Gum_zOc/UYJiSLq2lQI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/usxwOtrph3Q/s320/lobbyists.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13px;">The ability to click a button in an email and lobby Congress with 25 cents may not do much. But if you can do that together with millions of others it changes everything. This is an institution waiting to be born.</span></div>
<div style="color: #007776; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">
<a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2008/10/capability-enables-responsibility.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #007776; text-decoration: none;"></a><a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2008/10/capability-enables-responsibility.html" rel="nofollow" style="color: #007776; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;">http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2008/10/capability-enables-responsibility.html</a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.428571em;">The political micro-transaction is a missing fundamental and an essential element of speech... and </span><span style="line-height: 1.428571em;"> has some special characteristics that when combined with its core associated P2P capabilities tends to natural monopoly</span><span style="line-height: 1.428571em;">.</span></div>
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It is, in fact, the catalyzing capability for what Gavin Newsom calls Citizenville (a concept also endorsed by Newt Gingrich) and is a neutral utility in intent and practice.</div>
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The political microtransaction through a neutral vehicle is an anchor for the user to the provider of the capability in a way no other transaction type can. And while this offers advantages to all sides... it also presents some issues.</div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.428571em;">This is because the advantages of a distributed network with capabilities for P2P associations related to this transaction could upset many applecarts </span><em style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">since such a provider could completely dominate the transaction space (since the same capability can address transactions of all sizes and types) if others were debarred from the capability...</em></div>
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<a data-mce-href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2010/08/political-fundraising-act-blue-facebook.html" href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2010/08/political-fundraising-act-blue-facebook.html" shape="rect" style="border: 0px; color: #047ac6; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Political Fundraising: Act Blue, Facebook and the Missing Network Imperative</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<strong style="line-height: 1.428571em;">It may be that the ubiquitous network arising for politically related purposes should be treated as a public trust and held by some academic or other publicly-oriented institution</strong> and the patent capabilities licensed to multiple players contending in this space... with these certain elements reserved.</div>
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And frankly, If I can get in front of people with this I believe I can transfer that passion to them as well.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F7870067" target="_blank">Patent</a> is issued. My patent attorneys asked for a statement of my goals. I copy below my response:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: center;">
Let me see if I can give some clarity on goals… because I doubt they are typical.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: center;">
The pooled-user-determined account is a simple method to do a simple thing… make viable a very easy, one-click transfer of very small amounts.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: center;">
I think this is a much more important capability than many realize but we can put that aside for the moment.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: center;">
But unlike an invention for a new can-opener where even a single item could advantage a single user… this invention only gains its utility with broader use…. and its greatest utility with ubiquity.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: center;">
SO… in a sense the patent only covers a portion what’s being addressed here. And the capability has, I believe, a tendency towards natural monopoly.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: center;">
The network that can be created with such a capability is the true innovation here. And there’s a very good chance it will only arise once. I’m convinced that the characteristics of how its designed and constructed have evolutionary significance.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: center;">
This isn’t a “Right/Left” agenda but has more to do with ensuring that certain characteristics are preserved. I DO NOT believe this capability should be narrowly controlled and that is because I believe these few capabilities are part of a very new landscape in human history and this requires it represent the broadest of common interests.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: center;">
Bluntly, while I certainly feel I deserve something for this patent and realization of its potential… I’m not looking to be another “Richard Branson” but rather be part of helping to shepherd the construction of a vital landscape.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: center;">
And that’s why I want it protected and to prevent an improper evolution of this inevitable network. I don’t claim or believe that I have all the answers to how it should be designed… but I have a few…. and I don’t think that maximizing return should be the primary motivation for its design… though sustainability and resilience should be.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: center;">
This has been ready since 2008.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'PT Serif', Georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 15px; text-align: center;">
P.S. This is not an innovation the TBTF banks seem to want… but others are catching on.</div>
Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-86648936850544096672012-09-17T07:32:00.000-07:002012-09-20T10:50:24.616-07:00On Tools for Citizenship: the Neglected Essential<div style="text-align: center;">
To clarify what my immediate goals are here. Its really simple. I want to build an essential utility.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>A utility for meaningful civic participation...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZYXwucH4PE/UFcxZvTKc9I/AAAAAAAAAZI/vVHZGm7xEVE/s1600/humanity_brave-new-world-heads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZYXwucH4PE/UFcxZvTKc9I/AAAAAAAAAZI/vVHZGm7xEVE/s320/humanity_brave-new-world-heads.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The neutral contribution tool* briefly described below forms the core for that needed utility.<br />
<br />
I'm concerned about the political landscape. Many think it would be improved by banning all money from politics. I believe this is the wrong approach and is, in fact, dangerous over the long term. (I'd also add that a ban is very unlikely to be accomplished). Transparency and limits yes... but a ban on citizen participation no.<br />
<br />
<b>A better approach addresses two essentials:</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><i>drastically lower the threshold for participation in the lobbying process...</i></li>
<li><i>while also drastically lowering the cost of campaigning at ALL levels. </i></li>
</ul>
<br />
I believe this capability and the network it creates provide a path to those ends. I'm open to configurations that promote those ends.<br />
<br />
This is not a partisan approach... but it is a recognition that the current Party structure is inhibiting the development of a much-needed healthier landscape for civic participation.<br />
<br />
<br />
I've got no great faith in some perfect wisdom of the electorate... but don't think they're complete idiots either if given the chance*.<br />
<br />
You see I've got even less faith in any small closed group making decisions for everybody. <i>(see <a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2012/02/issues-in-scaling-civilization-altruism.html" target="_blank">Issues in Scaling Civilization: The Altruism Dilemma</a> for an idea regarding at least one source of trouble)</i><br />
<br />
That's why I'm convinced the political microtransaction is a necessity.<br />
<br />
This isn't out of some 'kumbayah' belief in the perfect wisdom of the masses. But rather arises out of a conviction that a better result will be achieved by allowing a more balanced input from those with "biases and self-interests" in conflict with those currently dominating the lobbying landscape.<br />
<br />
This might seem paradoxical to many and is arguable. But I'll make this assertion: broadening monetary participation while drastically lowering costs will over time actually <i>reduce</i> the influence of money in politics... perhaps even to the point of irrelevancy.<br />
<br />
P.S. Though I hold the patent... my goal is the broadest possible participation and to prevent any narrow control of these critical capacities. Give me back my little 500 square foot home so recently taken... and I'd just as soon get back to painting. But like others who feel they cannot stay quiet while the Enlightenment dies... I feel compelled to do what I can... while I can.<br />
<br />
<br />
Warmest Regards,<br />
Tom Crowl<br />
<br />
* <b>The Tool:</b><br />
<br />
<br />
The Patent (<a href="http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F7870067" target="_blank">here</a>) was issued January 11, 2011<br />
<br />
To get specific...<br />
<br />
Claim 1:<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #073763;">1. A donation method, comprising: establishing a first escrow account for a first donor with a first threshhold on a programmed electronic computer; removing funds from the first escrow account upon instructions from the first donor, the instructions having a transfer designation and the instructions being a contribution; comparing the funds to a second threshold donation level to determine if the funds are great enough for a donation to be made on a programmed electronic computer; aggregating the funds with the same transfer designation with the money from other donors to equal or surpass the threshold donation level; creating a sum of funds; transferring the sum of funds to the transfer designation, said transferring the sum of funds is depositing said sum of funds with a political candidate or cause; and reporting information about the first donor and the other donors upon transferring the sum of funds, said reporting information is done within the confines of jurisdictional requirements. </span></i><br />
<br />
If you wade through that it is simply like a cash card... but the user's information and instructions are separated from the funds which go into Trust Account(s)... and 'micro' designations can be made, pooled with designations of others to the same recipient... and reaching a viable threshold (determined by a variety of cost related factors)... transferred to the recipient with any reporting requirements reported and tracked.<br />
<br />
This systems allows transfers of ANY size... but what it can do that others can't... is a very simple micro-transaction.... and pass through incurred transaction costs.<br />
<br />
<br />
So it CAN function, if desired, just like any other gift card or Internet wallet...<br />
<br />
BUT... with a vital added capability... a simple micro-transaction.<br />
<br />
While the utility of this transaction has sometimes been questioned...<br />
<br />
The POLITICAL microtransaction, at least, escapes all those objections. <i>(Its not a physical good, not digital content with free alternatives available, and hassle is eliminated.)</i><br />
<br />
I'd also contend that its a fundamental of speech... designed for people.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2008/10/capability-enables-responsibility.html" target="_blank">Capability ENABLES Responsibility</a>...<br />
<br />
Accountability demands it!<br />
<br />
*<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.technologyreview.com/view/429294/mathematics-of-opinion-formation-reveals-how/" target="_blank">Mathematics of Opinion Formation Reveals How Moderation Trumps Extremism</a></span><br />
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</div>
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<br />
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<br />Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-22697715462058493662012-06-05T13:15:00.003-07:002016-07-30T15:23:08.334-07:00Issues in Scaling Civilization: The Monsters-from-the-Id Dilemma<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This is an article about another biological dilemma relating to our nature as a social species: the tendency of elites to form and why disruption is necessary. These dilemmas are distinct from problems like energy, food shortages, wars, etc. And these dilemmas would almost certainly confront any intelligent species anywhere in the universe. They stand separate from whatever myriad of more local problems may confront them. And while individual variability is great... I'm referring here to effects on groups and their decisions... and especially nested groups within hierarchical frameworks.</div>
<br />
And it may be that in assessing our ability to manage these dilemmas that we can better address our problems.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>A problem can be solved. But a dilemma can only be managed.</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cwlpHVlLFkY/T8TxJI-nGCI/AAAAAAAAAYI/M_Jto_kF7DY/s1600/unsolvable-equation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="125" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cwlpHVlLFkY/T8TxJI-nGCI/AAAAAAAAAYI/M_Jto_kF7DY/s200/unsolvable-equation.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The first I briefly outlined is the Altruism dilemma... which has to do not only with defining the boundary between in-group and out-group.... but perhaps even more significantly the unavoidable gap between biological and intellectual altruism.<br />
<br />
Its essence can be summed up in this obvious truth:<br />
<br />
<i>Its natural to feel more emotionally upset by the death of a spouse or even your family dog than the death of thousands of people (or dogs) far away... no matter how intellectually altruistic we try to be.</i><br />
<br />
While that statement is obvious the implications are not... human tragedies from dictatorships to castes, cronyism and even the self-righteous blundering of TBTF banks are all products of a failure to understand the issue.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2012/02/issues-in-scaling-civilization-altruism.html" target="_blank">Issues in Scaling Civilization: The Altruism Dilemma</a><br />
<br />
And I suggest that its this dilemma that made Authoritarianism possible, even inevitable at the earliest stages of human civilization and that the slow evolution towards self-government is actually a process of finding practical tools to address the altruism dilemma.<br />
<br />
<b>The second is what I call the "Monsters-from-the-Id" dilemma.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsM988IvmqQ/T85oqIoENuI/AAAAAAAAAYo/R0DVQWSig04/s1600/monsters+from+id.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsM988IvmqQ/T85oqIoENuI/AAAAAAAAAYo/R0DVQWSig04/s320/monsters+from+id.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
Its a phenomena surrounding the simple truth that the rational mind evolved to serve the lizard-brain rather than the other way around.<br />
<br />
It's essence is that because of the "lizard brain" and the effects of the Altruism Dilemma on large bodies of people like nations...<br />
<br />
<i><b>THAT: Inevitably elites form and that without some meaningful "knock to the head" they will continue along paths favoring concentration of wealth and power until some form of collapse or stagnation stops the process.</b></i><br />
<br />
And just as a neglected Altruism Dilemma drives authoritarianism... a neglected Monsters-from-the-Id Dilemma sabotages efforts at representative self-government and an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_Enlightenment" target="_blank">Enlightenment</a> oriented culture.<br />
<br />
As with altruism... the dilemma arises from an inevitable conflict inherent in its nature.<br />
<br />
We might say that standing in opposition to Nietzche's <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_to_power" target="_blank">Will to Power</a> (akin to status competition) there's an equally strong drive we might call Crowl's "Will to not have to do-jack-diddly-squat-unless-I-have-to" or perhaps more concisely a "<i>Will to Sloth</i>".<br />
<br />
BOTH are entirely natural. And each of us have some share of both drives. This recognition is imperative.<br />
<br />
But the tension between the two drives has differing effects when scaled beyond our hunter-gatherer origins.<br />
<br />
<b>The essence of the dilemma:</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b><i>We got smarter so as we could spend more time being lazy</i><i>... and that's okay for individuals and small groups but in large ones where an elite gains an advantage... this can lead to problems. Our tendency to let 'someone else do it' leads to great opportunities for deception (and self-deception by both sides of this relationship; i.e. the governed and the governors.</i></b></span><br />
<br />
BOTH may perceive their best advantage is in accepting this 'bargain' for some period of time.<br />
<br />
This recent paper by Freeman Dyson and William Press I believe has relevance: <a href="http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2012/05/16/1206569109.full.pdf+html" target="_blank">Iterated Prisoner’s Dilemma contains strategies that dominate any evolutionary opponent</a> with this interesting conclusion:<br />
<br />
<i>The two-player Iterated Prisoner’s Dilemma game is a model for both sentient and evolutionary behaviors, especially including the emergence of cooperation. It is generally assumed that there exists no simple ultimatum strategy whereby one player can enforce a unilateral claim to an unfair share of rewards. Here, we show that such strategies unexpectedly do exist. In particular, a player X who is witting of these strategies can (i) deterministically set her opponent Y’s score, independently of his strategy or response, or (ii) enforce an extortionate linear relation between her and his scores. Against such a player, an evolutionary player’s best response is to accede to the extortion. Only a player with a theory of mind about his opponent can do better, in which case Iterated Prisoner’s Dilemma is an Ultimatum Game.</i><br />
<br />
I suggest that this is a situation that repeatedly develops between sub-groups within a larger society proportional to the deterioration of an awareness of mutual dependency... and that this deterioration is a natural consequence of scale and the inevitable imbalances in information and power in various sectors of specialization. In this case strategies of deception gain potency they otherwise do not have.<br />
<br />
e.g. The impulse that drives a crooked plumber to deceive a homeowner about the extent of needed repairs is identical to why politicians make promises they know can't be fulfilled. It's also why homeowners and voters believe them.<br />
<br />
In simplest form the two drives might be summed up as: the drive to do something vs the drive to do nothing.<br />
<br />
And the choice between the two that an individual makes (whether a human or amoeba) comes down to a judgment regarding the level of satisfaction. (While an amoeba's judgement capabilities may be limited they are a product of inherent <i>decision mechanisms</i> reacting to stimuli in order to increase satisfaction.)<br />
<br />
If things are going well both amoebas and people need to make fewer survival decisions. PARTY TIME!<br />
<br />
But let's talk about human groups!<br />
<br />
In hunter-gatherer society there are no classes... no significant material divisions... and everybody has an opportunity to interact and influence everybody else. So whether satisfied or not... they're all subject to the same condition. They're all in the same canoe so to speak and they all know it. If things are going well they have a big festival and get lazy for a while... but if not they get humping since any scarcity affects them all.<br />
<br />
<i>NOT SO with a scaled society... where one segment may be well-satisfied but another not. And that weaker segment may be powerless to respond while the stronger doesn't see the need until its too late.</i><br />
<br />
The "will-to-power" has un-checked avenues available to it that are not there in a hunter-gatherer society... as does the "will-to-sloth"... but while in a hunter-gatherer society they each act as a check on the other.<br />
<br />
In a large society, whether or not it has representative intent in its design... the evolution of classes (see the altruism dilemma) arising with scale can encourage a sort of deceiver/deceived mutual advantage in promoting what amounts to cultural cognitive dissonance between groups of different status and/or differing knowledge levels in specific subject areas.<br />
<br />
A leader's will-to-power drives the promise <i>(similarly any individual asserting expertise in any field)</i>... and a follower's will-to-sloth drives the belief... and both may end up believing the deception... and benefiting from it for some period of time. This is as true for bankers as it is for home purchasers... and more importantly... as it is for politicians and their constituents.<br />
<br />
This opportunity for deception (an also natural element in human relations but more inhibited in a Dunbar sized group) operates between all classes where the '<i>we're all in the same boat</i>' assumption... which is deeply embedded in a hunter-gatherer group... is eroded with the loss of social/psychological and even physical proximity that comes with scale.<br />
<br />
In other words: in a hunter-gatherer society social cohesion and proximity inhibit deception... but those forces over time will break down in a larger society without ongoing efforts to counteract them.<br />
<br />
As the Dyson/Press article discusses... we end up in an Ultimatum game... where the loser can only change the situation by forcing a change in strategy by refusing to play the old game.<br />
<br />
From the piece: <i>Now consider Y’s perspective, if he has a theory of mind about X. His only alternative to accepting positive, but meager, rewards is to refuse them, hurting both himself and X. He does this in the </i><i>hope that X will eventually reduce her extortion factor. However, if she has gone to lunch, then his resistance is futile.</i><br />
<br />
<i>The following brief point identifies the strategy the Dyson article essentially suggests: </i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Get the other player's attention and refuse to continue the game as presented.</i></b> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This is same the strategy urged by frustrated sub-groups within a larger social organism... well articulated here:<br />
<br />
Mario Savio "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJKbDz4EZio" target="_blank">The Machine Speech</a>" on The Sproul Hall Steps, December 2, 1964<br />
<br />
My next post in this series addresses the relationship between information and communication technologies... along with others... and how they make a justice imperative rise along with them... but also more difficult to satisfy... and with failure more perilous.<br />
<br />
"ICT and the Ultimatum Game" (coming soon)Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-24798931541358593092012-02-07T07:05:00.000-08:002012-06-05T07:44:35.034-07:00Issues in Scaling Civilization: The Altruism DilemmaAre castes, cronyism and corruption a product of our altruism? This natural social drive to care about others is very ancient and stronger than we think. Why should this fundamental of sociability be a problem?<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s92srVt3nTc/TzE9IUi26FI/AAAAAAAAAWU/tUxgoMo7toM/s1600/chimpanzees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s92srVt3nTc/TzE9IUi26FI/AAAAAAAAAWU/tUxgoMo7toM/s320/chimpanzees.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Biological altruism is not about being nice... or at least not always.<br />
Its function is rooted in distinguishing in-group from out-group and is roughly tied to Dunbar's Number (a hypothetical natural human community size related to cognitive limits).<br />
<br />
While intellectual and cultural factors truly can and do expand the boundaries of our conception of the in-group....<br />
<br />
There will always, <i>by necessity</i> be a disconnect between our lizard brain's reaction vs our reasoning brain's reaction to that fuzzy but very real boundary.<br />
<br />
(And its always important to remember that our reasoning brain evolved to <i>serve</i> the lizard brain rather than the other way around.)<br />
<br />
You will be more emotionally impacted by the death of your dog than the death of a 100,000 people far away you've never met.<br />
<br />
No point in feeling guilty about that... if it were otherwise you'd never be able to function. You'd be prostrate from the onslaught of constant grief. And no society could function with such constant distraction.<br />
<br />
So this disconnect is inescapable! No matter how intellectually <i>evolved</i> we become this altruism discontinuity will remain.<br />
<br />
But this 'biological altruism' dilemma leads to problems in governance (decision mechanisms) which, as we've oft seen in history leads to cycles of oligarchy, corruption and collapse.<br />
<br />
Social technologies like juries and legislatures, whether the creators were aware of it in those terms or not... were designed in response to this dilemma. Much more needs to be done... much, much more*.<br />
<br />
It's also, of course, why Ayn Rand's cartoon philosophy has produced so much damage. She never understood the altruism problem.<br />
<br />
But we'd better! And soon. We're being guided by false models propagated by a very altruistic (i.e. tribal) cohort.<br />
<br />
I'd suggest paying attention to our roots... there are clues there.<br />
<br />
* My next post on civilization scaling issues will address <i>ICT and the Ultimatum Game </i>looking at how the revolution in information and communication technology creates a justice imperative that can't be ignored. And what tools may be useful for finding a way through.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wQp3zC73Qs0/TzE9hZNHjVI/AAAAAAAAAWc/trjs43PhvVQ/s1600/poster+-+altruism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wQp3zC73Qs0/TzE9hZNHjVI/AAAAAAAAAWc/trjs43PhvVQ/s320/poster+-+altruism.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-67382089513979586842012-01-30T09:14:00.000-08:002012-02-01T06:36:15.038-08:00The Chagora Model: Scaling Speech<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3X2oupijZIU/TybLgoUkesI/AAAAAAAAAWM/hU0DQ_95ZuI/s1600/Ferry+gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3X2oupijZIU/TybLgoUkesI/AAAAAAAAAWM/hU0DQ_95ZuI/s320/Ferry+gif.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>While we're all thinking about how to deal with the problem of big money in politics... </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>It might be worthwhile to think about<b> little</b> money.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">When you can contribute 25 cents with the click of a mouse... Congress <i>(and your government)</i> will listen. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b>(e.g. 25c a couple of times a week by 150 million voters equals over $7 Billion per 2-year election cycle.)</b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">And this specialized <i>online gift card</i> catalyzes a </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">vitally necessary </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">civic utility.</span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b>TO summarize...</b></span></span></div>
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<ol><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><b><a href="http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F7870067" target="_blank"><span style="color: #444444;">Patented</span></a><span style="color: #222222;"> method allows very simple, phone or web-based political contribution -</span><i style="color: #222222;"> especially the micro contribution</i><span style="color: #222222;"> - with FEC reporting requirements fulfilled and limits tracked w/o burdening transaction costs</span></b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;"><b>Same utility allows other transactions as well catalyzing a general <i>donor network</i> because of advantages to donors, recipients and third parties</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;"><b>Establishment of this donor network offers potential for <i>localized</i> platforms with needed capabilities for civic engagement</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;"><b>Model is profit-making</b></li>
<li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b>User governance with plan for user ownership participation</b></span></li>
</span></ol>
<div style="color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: medium;">The Chagora Model</span></u></b></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The <b>core, protected capability not now available</b>. Skipping all the technicals what does it let you do that you couldn't do before?</span></div>
</div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<i style="font-size: 13px;">Ever get a request like this:</i></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #000099;">The ASPCA says "Support an end to the killing of puppies"... click here and send an email to your Congressman urging the passage of our "Stop killing Puppies bill!"</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><i>Instead, what if that message said:</i></span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #000099;">The ASPCA says "Support an end to the killing of puppies"... click here and send an email to your Congressman <b><i>along with 25 cents</i></b> to us here at the ASPCA in support of the Stop killing Puppies bill!.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><i><b>They send out millions of those emails at one shot!</b></i></span></div>
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</span><br />
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="color: #990000;">That 25 cent contribution is not now a viable transaction</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">... so the ASPCA doesn't ask... </span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">But what if it were? </span><span style="font-size: 13px;">What if all it took was 25 cents and clicking a button? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13px;">How many of those receiving that email might go for that 25 cents? And sending out millions of emails... how much might that return in a morning? I'm betting quite a bit.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Organizations will be very interested in that capability. And on the other side... the recipient will very quickly see the power of that transaction as well.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #990000; font-size: medium;"><b>Enabling the very simple 25 cent contribution is a big deal!</b></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">The method is similar to the gift cards you see in stores everywhere. But this one is virtual... you buy this virtual card for $10 or $20 and can use it to make these very easy and small political contributions securely with just a click and all reporting requirements fulfilled and limits tracked.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b style="font-size: 13px;">Additionally...</b></div>
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</span><br />
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b style="color: #000099; font-size: 13px;">That same <i>virtual gift card</i>... CAN DO VIRTUALLY ANY OTHER TRANSACTION OF ANY SIZE AS WELL! POLITICAL OR OTHERWISE!!!</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
And this is the synergistic obvious step:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b><span style="font-size: medium;">Catalyzing the Donor Network</span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<i><span style="color: #000066;"><b>A dedicated utility for donation purposes forms a better and much more capable user landscape attractive to both sides of that transaction.</b></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<i>Here are a few other brief scenarios where such a virtual card might be handy:</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<ul>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 15px;">It's the end of the year. And Buffy likes to give away a few thousand dollars to various charities. She deposits a thousand dollars in her account and spends an afternoon tossing it out to her favorite charities or browsing solicitations by others that could be of interest... $250 here... $100 there... $17.96 for Girl Scout cookies... $50 for the neighborhood watch... etc... she has her unified record ready for IRS, she prints out all her coupons for free coffee at Starbucks and Free batteries at target offered by advertisers,,, and for her maybe its without ever making a political or any 'micro' contribution at all!</li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 15px;">Elmo has $10 a month go into his Chagora account from his paycheck matched by another $10 from his employer for charities he likes. This money he can't use for political giving because of the matching funds. But he has another $10 a month taken from his paycheck .. and these funds he can use as he wishes. He pledges $5 a month for ocean conservation related lobbying and the rest he likes to save for local candidates that are reaching out to him on his Chagora 'neighborhood page'.</li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Ramon</span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: x-small;"> had his first experience with Chagora in a "Live Debate" situation. See </span><a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2009/02/chagora-live-debate-function.html" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;" target="_blank">The Chagora Live Debate Function</a><span style="color: #222222; font-size: x-small;"> for a brief </span><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">explanation</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: x-small;"> of how this might work.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b>WHY would it be advantageous to use Chagora to do these things?</b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<ul>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">From one deposit make many distributions... no need to keep re-entering credit card and/or FEC required info over and over again</span></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">No added fees </span></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Availability of corporate/charity sponsorships </span><span style="font-size: 14px;">benefiting</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> all three parties... the advertiser, the donor and the recipient</span></span></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Unified records for donor separating taxable and tax-deductible contributions all ready for the IRS... automated record keeping for recipient</span></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">There are approx 20,000 new non-profits formed each year... ALL needing payment, accounting, marketing and other services...</span></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">System has user utility even when account is de-funded (or never funded) providing an ongoing connection between donor and this system</span></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">THE CAPABILITY FOR TRANSACTIONS NOT AVAILABLE ELSEWHERE... and lower costs for the rest</span></li>
<li style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">User governance and ownership in all or part under some suitable configuration</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Monetization</b> </span> </div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
In addition to charity and campaign technical services, sponsorship related revenues, media revenues (via LiveDebate capability), there are opportunities in: data mining, polling services, platform related local advertising and general advertising.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
note: should eventual potential be seen as a more general purpose pay utility the system could apply merchant charges for commercial transactions only... <i>but offer merchants LOWER charges than others because of its alternative revenue sources.</i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<b>The Political Micro-transaction is an unrecognized big deal and the Donor Network is an even bigger one.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<i><span style="color: #000099;"><b>The Pooled-User-Determined Account has global utility.</b></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<i>Additional links:</i></div>
<div style="font-size: 13px;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman';">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2008/10/capability-enables-responsibility.html">Capability ENABLES Responsibility</a></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2010/08/political-fundraising-act-blue-facebook.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Political Fundraising: Act Blue, Facebook and the Missing Network Imperative</a></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2010/12/re-igniting-enlightenment-on-building.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Re-Igniting the Enlightenment: On Building Landscapes for Decision</a></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-would-hunter-gatherers-run-world.html">How Would Hunter-gatherers Run the World? (Psst... They DO!)</a></span><br />
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<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Demo and FAQ</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;">: </span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.chagora.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Chagora</a></span></div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Added notes:</div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Effect of the political microtransaction on political discourse and political climate:</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
The volatility of the mob has always been a concern among those who think about governance. This is a valid concern.But history suggests that its a population who's mechanisms of feedback to those governing are blocked where you'll find a decay into extremism and the draw of simplistic but irrational demagoguery. And I'd suggest the decay of the governing consensus historically present in this country is, at least in part... a result of the inability of the citizenry to participate on a more frequent and granular* basis in the lobbying of our government The political microtransaction is a necessary tool for re-balancing the citizens capacity in the public marketplace of ideas. Moreover there are safeguards which I believe can be provided to both make 'mob' impulse less likely while at the same time developing a more politically capable citizenry over time. (Design matters! e.g. gerrymandering, I'd contend has not only produced a polarized polity... but degraded the ability for those of more reasoned approach to find a political 'home' in either Party.)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Placement of Trust Accounts</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Should such a network of donor accounts be feasible, I'd suggest that community banks, credit unions and similar as best candidates for the holding of such accounts. They also form a network of more locally focused entities who might find advantage in supporting the creation of such a donor network.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Public Finance of Elections</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Should at any time in future, the public finance of elections all or in part... be implemented, I suggest such a donor network offers the best and most recognizably neutral way of doing so. A small distribution of funds directly to individual voters for dispersal to legally registered candidates of their choice</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Reduction of Campaign Costs</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Platforms potentially arising in conjunction with such a donor network offer the opportunity to both drastically reduce campaign costs while offering citizens the opportunity to participate more easily and more fruitfully in civic matters on the local level.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i><b>*</b>Political parties... while serving many good purposes... find themselves often acting as 'opinion bundlers' attempting to tie together actually incompatable postitions with the same ideological framework. I suggest that over time this leads to confusion both in the political debate as well as the public consciousness and degrades the civic culture necessary for good governance.</i></div>
</div>
</div>Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-234662319956477272011-04-18T05:24:00.000-07:002013-02-17T11:03:34.826-08:00Leveling The Transaction Landscape: Technology and the Campfire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJKYgTq1Smw/Tawoqo8VkSI/AAAAAAAAARE/XsgpZiSrB2A/s1600/HunterGatherers4.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EJKYgTq1Smw/Tawoqo8VkSI/AAAAAAAAARE/XsgpZiSrB2A/s320/HunterGatherers4.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We can now share our voices, images, information and opinions... just about anywhere in the world; and retrieve the same from others at almost no cost. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at its roots is about reducing the cost... and broadening the availability... of human transaction.<br />
<br />
ICT is really about the future catching up to the past... to a time when we could transact across the world we knew without a need for technical assistance.<br />
<br />
In this post I'm going to discuss why transaction and networking costs on at least some if not all types of peer-to-peer <i>financial</i> transaction... and for transactions especially of very small size... also must be eliminated and how to do that.<br />
<br />
To get to that I'm going to start with a little on the very earliest history of politics. Because the most heated transactions have always involved making decisions... and its here where I first saw the need for improvement in financial transaction technology as well as a solution.<br />
<br />
While always contentious, politics used to be much simpler. That's not to say it's ever been a smooth process or always arrived at correct conclusions... but it was simpler in a technical sense.<br />
<br />
What do I mean?<br />
<br />
In a hunter-gatherer society there were no TV ads... no targeted spots... no corporate lobbyists. Getting your opinion across was person to person... and that could be with words, gestures or a spit across the campfire.<br />
<br />
Our interactions were proximate and the weight of opinion could be easily felt. And that's because the landscape placed little burden on them. Both words and spit were cheap and available to all.<br />
<br />
That changed when our societies got bigger than our voices could carry. All kinds of transactions, not just the political ones became more complicated... they needed technologies to assist them: Not just ATM's and ballot boxes... but laws, governments, and money itself are technologies! SCALE requires human designed constructions to assist in transaction.<br />
<br />
Fundamentally altering the <i>cost</i> of transaction and/or the types of transactions that are practicable gets at the root of how a civilization operates. Yet we seldom think about those costs in any serious sense.<br />
<br />
That'd been on my mind for a while. That <i>cost of transaction</i>...<br />
<br />
Then it hit me!!!<br />
<br />
I was watching a report in early '07 about some state law that had been passed... an obviously idiotic law in the general public's opinion which is what sparked the news story. The point of the story being how the relevant law maker had been <i>gifted</i> with $50,000 by a special interest to insert the provision into some bill.<br />
<br />
What hit me was: I bet at least a half-million have heard that story and are as ticked off as I am... and if they could hit a button and send 25 cents to the opponent of that lawmaker or that law... we'd have a better system...<br />
<br />
In other words, if the political transaction can be <i>liquefied</i>...unburdened of the cost and effort that prevent meaningful participation... if it was made as easy as giving the guy in the next hut a piece of your mind... we'd return to a better balance of opinion representation... which in time brings a better level of debate and better decisions.<br />
<br />
Being able to add your opinion to the mix... is a fundamental. No kidding...<br />
<br />
So I invented a way to do it. What are the needed requirements to be fulfilled?<br />
<div>
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b>The Pooled User-determined Account</b><br />
<ul>
<li>No <i>Landscape</i> cost on transaction: i.e. no added transaction costs; unlike a general utility PayPal or dedicated systems like Facebook credits monetization doesn't rely on the transaction</li>
<li>Micro-transaction must be viable: scaling a healthy political culture requires both reducing the burden and increasing the frequency of participation</li>
<li>One-button transaction capability: purpose is defeated if participation requires anything much more than... literally spitting across the campfire. And ya gotta be able to spit <i>securely</i>...</li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>The Mechanics:</b></div>
<br />
(While this was originally designed to address the meta-political problem of a seriously un-level playing field, as it turns out this is also a method and model for a <b>General Utility Internet Wallet</b> which can out-compete any existing model while enabling needed transactions now impracticable thereby both funding and empowering the development and implementation of further capabilities including but not limited to a more resilient Commons and more enabled individual within it. (Like PayPal but cheaper and capable of more things.)<br />
<br />
For the geeky amongst you: <a href="http://www.google.com/patents?id=WkDxAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA1&lpg=PA1&dq=Patent+7,870,067+B2&source=bl&ots=cpzBMRKYwA&sig=Lj0B1Rs9tuG1-3ZCkeRiwYlqX9M&hl=en&ei=O_GhTeyKLpOosAOxhu34DA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CEAQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=Patent 7,870,067 B2&f=false"><b>The Patent</b></a> issued 01/11/11<br />
<br />
And for the rest... <b>A Walkthrough</b> (a charity here example but could be for anything):<br />
<br />
A first simple and obvious requirement is that it must be a financially equivalent transaction for the payer and payee whether the transaction is via this system (let’s call it <a href="http://www.chagora.com/">Chagora</a> for now at least) or if you went directly to the recipient’s website…<br />
<br />
<i>Donor wants to give $20 to Red Cross…</i><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>User can got to Red Cross website, whip out his Visa and give $20… Red Cross pays transaction fee to Visa and Red Cross gets, I don’t know … $19.50 or something… doesn’t matter.</li>
</ul>
<u><i>or</i></u><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>User goes to Chagora… puts in $20… Chagora pays Visa transaction fee… Chagora transfers $20 to Red Cross and recoups the fee for a $20 Visa charge from Red Cross. <b>Equivalence…</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Okay, let's try something different with that $20 you put in this dedicated account...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
You get an email to “Join the rest of us here at Greenpeace (or whatever) click here and give 25 cents to repair our ship damaged by whatever…</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<i>So you click the button and give 25 cents</i>… how would that work? And be secure?</div>
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<br />
<ul>
<li>The button links to your account… a 25 cent PLEDGE is made (<i>importantly not an immediate transfer</i>) is recorded to Greenpeace…</li>
<li>You, either immediately or on a pre-determined (by user) periodic basis receive an request for email, IM, or similar confirmation for that pledge alone or a list of pledges to confirm or deny individually. </li>
</ul>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Okay, now <i>what happens to those transaction charges?</i> (remember it came out of an original $20 deposit whose transaction charges were paid by Chagora) …</div>
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<br /></div>
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Back to explaining the P.U.D. Account mechanism:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<b>When you put money into your Chagora account your money goes into one or more POOLS… but your information and decisions regarding its distribution remain with YOU!</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
So when you designate that 25 cents to Greenpeace… (to make the example simple)<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>It’s <i>combined with other pledges</i> to Greenpeace to reach $20… Greenpeace pays the charge on a transfer equivalent to $20…</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Its a little more complicated in actuality but that’s what is essentially accomplished.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
In essence money and Information go on separate tracks when you make a deposit in your account. When a User deposits money in his/her account certain rights are lost and certain rights are retained.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
For example… let’s take that $20… When you put that $20 into the account you can’t take it back out… You no longer ‘own’ it… but (and this is the critical element) you retain CONTROL over its distribution… down to the penny… (some kinds of trusts work like this… but this is for everybody).</div>
<br />
Of course, then the obvious question is… okay… NICE… but aren’t there going to be some costs incurred by Chagora that have to be covered somehow?<br />
<br />
Yes! Of Course… and it can be funded like any other transaction system... by some small fee added in front of the user's deposit... or on the back end by an added fee to the recipient. However, here there's great potential for monetization outside the transaction and an intention of operation as a low-margin utility with user-participation in ownership which changes the dynamics of the game.<br />
<br />
See <a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2009/01/chagora-assumptions.html"><b>Chagora Assumptions</b></a> for a bit more on monetization. This post focuses on the mechanics.<br />
<br />
And finally why I believe this is a needed and fundamental technology:<br />
<br />
<b>The Universally-owned Transaction Landscape is a needed check and balance on other organized forces.</b><br />
<br /></div>
Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-39957863521096599272011-01-20T16:01:00.000-08:002011-03-26T16:19:42.733-07:00Finding Roots in a Shifting Landscape: Facebook and the Future of Social Networks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RwxBxbuS43g/TTjJoOKH-pI/AAAAAAAAAQU/ILYYhxA0o9c/s1600/social_media_sites.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RwxBxbuS43g/TTjJoOKH-pI/AAAAAAAAAQU/ILYYhxA0o9c/s320/social_media_sites.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Facebook is dominating the social network space (at least in the West)... and it certainly helps its users in staying 'connected' with their <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunbar's_number"><i>Dunbar's Number</i></a>-sized network... and to reach beyond, expand and re-configure that network with a variety of additional connections of differing strengths and persistence.<br />
<br />
<i><b>But I'd hesitate to say its dominance is permanently secure.</b></i><br />
<br />
Certain 'inventions' will inevitably arise given the development of the landscape that makes them possible. They are emergent properties of the new landscape. Seen in this light the literally <i>revolutionary</i> capabilities we see arising are <i>general</i> properties of this new landscape rather than particular to Facebook.<br />
<br />
Peer-to-peer networking is going on all over the web... from Twitter to LinkedIn to Yahoo groups and You Tube... and the mobile web, camera ubiquity and the obliteration of distance are already out of the wings and on-stage.<br />
<br />
However, like with online search before, once a tipover point is reached in some functions concentration becomes self-reinforcing and difficult to shift. Alta-vista may have been first in that field... but Google's holding the prize.<br />
<br />
So it is with Facebook post MySpace. A tipover point may have been reached... But I wouldn't count on it.<br />
<br />
Its future may be aborted after achieving wide penetration but only marginal utility. There is nothing other than inertia (all my friends are here)... and a few games I understand are popular with some to keep their numbers up. While its general peer-to-peer capabilities are here to stay... Facebook has no lock on them.<br />
<br />
Because while Facebook is leading the pack, it doesn't address the requirements for deep peer-to-peer association in any substantial way. It doesn't understand their ancient roots in proximity and capability.<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>(As I write this edit... Egypt is experiencing its remarkable revolution... and Facebook, Twitter, and social media generally are critical players... and deserve the credit! I'd only contend that the more general capabilities of these</i><i> peer-to-peer networks still lack the necessary tools for moving from catalyzation of a broad reaction to the more granular forms of association and organization necessary for guiding longterm solutions. In other words, while ICT is finally awakening people to capabilities they didn't know they had... it needs to do more about assisting in... what happens then. To use a phrase I heard Fareed Zakaria use when referring to the jubilant crowds in Tahir Square... they will still require meaningful 'platforms of power'...)</i><br />
<b><i><br />
</i></b><br />
<b>I'd contend that the missing root has to do with hosting and assisting co-operative transactions involving Commons-oriented interests (admittedly a sometimes imprecisely defined space).</b><br />
<br />
Facebook and other such sites are trying to bridge a longstanding gap as ICT quickly goes global. In evolutionary terms its essentially instantaneous:<br />
<br />
There is a FUNDAMENTAL SCALING ISSUE IN HUMAN SOCIETIES associated with NATURAL HUMAN COMMUNITY SIZE (Dunbar’s Number), THE ALTRUISM PROBLEM* (there’s a problematic discontinuity between biological and intellectual altruism) AND COGNITIVE LIMITS (the attention economy).<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">*<a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2009/05/social-networks-social-organism-healing.html">Social Networks & The Social Organism: Healing the Breach</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WEB IS THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE IN PEER-TO-PEER RELATIONSHIP SINCE THE MOVE TO SETTLED EXISTENCE!</b></div><br />
The birth of agriculture brought about fundamental changes in the requirements for transaction. These requirements arose with scale... and coincided with the birth of currencies and finance as necessary transactional technologies.<br />
<br />
That was a CRITICAL change in the nature of transaction. <br />
<br />
<b>Within a hunter-gatherer group <i>ALL</i> inter-personal transactions were in:</b><br />
<br />
<b>Politics</b> - the exchange of ideas for individual and group decision to enhance the survivability of that group and any allies.<br />
<br />
<b>News/Journalism/Information</b> - the exchange of information so as to improve individual and group decision to enhance the survivability of that group and any allies.<br />
<br />
<b>Charity</b> - the exchange of collective 'wealth' within the group for achievement of better social balance... and again... to enhance the survivability of that group and any allies.<br />
<br />
<b>Aesthetics</b> - the exchange of 'creative forms' to enhance a non-material based sense of well-being or accomplishment and... to enhance the survivability of that group and any allies.<br />
<br />
While there was inter-group barter pre-money... It was only with the move to settled existence that the commercial transaction and its attendant technologies (finance, banking, law, etc.) arose.<br />
<br />
<b>I believe there is a value and maybe even a necessity to facilitate and unburden these Commons-focussed transactions... and the peer-to-peer co-ordination of them. And I believe properly developed... it establishes a very stable and very useful network with collateral benefits.</b><br />
<br />
<i>The model...</i><br />
<br />
<b>The Commons-dedicated Account Network:</b><br />
<br />
<i>A self-supporting , Commons-owned neutral network of accounts for political, charitable and speech related monetary participation... which in order to properly network and scale individual capability must allow a viable, one-button, secure and <b>financially unburdened</b> micro-transaction. Such a network ideally should maintain its own cloud and bank. Accounts may be created and/or maintained with zero balances and/or only momentary balances during a pass-through transfer (monetization model requires no burden on the actual transaction.)</i><br />
<br />
A simple but functional demo at <a href="http://www.chagora.com/">http://www.Chagora.com </a><br />
Patent #7,870,067 granted by USPTO 01/11/'11<br />
<br />
(Essentially like Facebook credits except for Commons-oriented functions instead of games, etc. as well as very importantly not adding to the transaction costs)<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
On <i>The one-button secure transaction</i>: a method for enabling a simple mobile or other web-based secure transaction suggested by David Brin in his book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Transparent-Society-Technology-Between-Privacy/dp/0738201448">The Transparent Society</a> whereby a simple input (whether a click, swipe, or bar-code scan, etc.) constitutes essentially a <i>pledge</i> rather than a call for an immediate movement of funds... and that confirmation can come later via (e.g.) an email that perhaps collates multiple <i>pledges</i> for acceptance or rejection. (He suggests a reputation system for handling issues of a user's <i>pledge reliability</i>.) Further, since payment comes from a dedicated account holding limited funds and w/o access to user's general accounts... risks and liabilities are significantly reduced.<br />
<div></div><b><br />
</b><br />
On final ownership... and for needed positive cultural feedback potentials... <i><b>a modest proposal:</b></i><br />
<br />
For this network to operate as a For Profit enterprise <i>ultimately</i> under what I hypothesize as a sort of <i>Universal ownership</i>.<br />
<br />
<i>Universal ownership</i>:* (Admittedly an idea in flux but perhaps not entirely impracticable): one share per living human... non-transferable... expires with death... profits to be distributed NOT EQUALLY... but rather as a drawing right to food, shelter and basic healthcare for those lacking them. <i>(Governance of such a structure or collection of interacting but similar structures becomes an interesting question.) </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>*<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Being a practically-oriented though neophyte entrepreneur, I understand both the need for investment and a generous return on that investment. I believe these can be accommodated. </span></i><br />
<br />
P.S. Seeking co-founder and associates if any interested... I don't know jack about startups... and hate organizing crap... I know ideas don't matter but they keep me busy... and I like this one!<br />
<br />
P.P.S. While essentially a simple financial innovation... To see how it may relate to privacy and Online ID see the following article by Nancy Scola at TechPresident and my comment:<br />
<a href="http://techpresident.com/blog-entry/whats-actually-about-obamas-online-id-cdts-aaron-brauer-rieke-explains">What's to Actually Like About "Obama's Online ID"? CDT's Aaron Brauer-Rieke Explains...</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RwxBxbuS43g/TTjKEjLZ5BI/AAAAAAAAAQY/WJim9lM5z_s/s1600/privacy-798252.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RwxBxbuS43g/TTjKEjLZ5BI/AAAAAAAAAQY/WJim9lM5z_s/s200/privacy-798252.gif" width="198" /></a></div>Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-12079769592942143452010-12-12T06:39:00.000-08:002014-10-05T09:54:33.801-07:00Re-Igniting The Enlightenment: On Building Landscapes for Decision<div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RwxBxbuS43g/TQTe5e4B9sI/AAAAAAAAAQM/xOem_4eTrmQ/s1600/Enlightenment+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RwxBxbuS43g/TQTe5e4B9sI/AAAAAAAAAQM/xOem_4eTrmQ/s320/Enlightenment+2.jpg" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
from NPR online<b> <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128490874">In Politics, Sometimes the Facts Don't Matter</a></b><br />
<i>”New research suggests that misinformed people rarely change their minds when presented with the facts — and often become even more attached to their beliefs. The finding raises questions about a key principle of a strong democracy: that a well-informed electorate is best.”</i><br />
<br />
<b>So how do you build a capable electorate? Should we care? Maybe we should just leave government to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shill">experts</a>?</b><br />
<br />
These are issues I've given some thought to. (Though, regarding the quote above and assuming the first assertion's truth in many or even most cases, I don't see how that suggests that anything OTHER than a well-informed electorate would be best.)</div>
<br />
The real question is how fixed or variable that first assertion of <i>rarely</i> <b>IS</b> given different cultural environments...<br />
<br />
And if certain cultural environments promote a more questioning and reasoned approach to decision making than others... that environment must be considered 'healthier' and those qualities encouraged.<br />
<br />
Authoritarianism could sadly be considered more efficient by some even well-intentioned powerful forces... I'd assert that the complexities and vulnerabilities of a highly complex civilization, its requirements for relatively open communication and information exchange, and the nature of the Ultimatum game make consensus INCREASINGLY imperative (and increasingly difficult to attain) as civilization and technology develop.<br />
<br />
(This is also an argument for aiming towards a globe containing multiple independently resilient, while perhaps quite culturally diverse, economies rather than aiming towards excessive global interdependence.)<br />
<br />
Lawrence Harrison has a couple of books ( <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Central-Liberal-Truth-Politics-Culture/dp/0195300416">The Central Liberal Truth</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Culture-Matters-Values-Shape-Progress/dp/0465031765">Culture Matters</a> ) filled with essays that address issues regarding the relationship between environment, technology, governance and values... and the success or failure of a civilization as well as the capabilities of the individuals that make it up.<br />
<br />
I make no assumption that my own endeavor (An Account Network for political and charitable contribution initially catalyzed by a micro-transaction capability) should it become broadly employed immediately would suddenly yield all-wise citizens and assured 'crowd wisdom'... however the real sense of meaningful participation it can offer, its facilitation of an increased <b style="font-style: italic;">frequency of participation </b>(importantly especially at the neglected local level) and its allowance for a <i><b>granularity of opinion</b> </i>I believe are key elements in learning the <i>skills</i> of political decision needed for good citizenship... and inhibit the power of political parties.<br />
<br />
And, of course, the network itself then offer potentials that go well beyond the <i>formally</i> political and extend to everything from funding journalism to organizing neighborhood gardens.<br />
<br />
I also assert that a unique Commons-ownership structure not only lays the groundwork for an effective counter-force to excessively powerful private concentrations...<br />
<br />
But does it in an essentially 'neutral' or 'apolitical' way... in other words the counterforce arises out of the very 'structure' of the landscape thereby created... rather than by any particular political position of this network... EXCEPT for an expressly laid out adherence to Enlightenment principles which must be rigorously attended to in its Terms of Service and design for governance.<br />
<br />
Is this a demand for imposed monopoly for such a network? NO! First because its unnecessary, this network can and will grow on an opt-in, voluntary basis. Though I'm convinced its an area which may tend towards natural concentration if neutral tools-of-citizenship association and participation are included.<br />
<br />
It's quite possible such a network can build and support it's own<i> cloud... or act as a point of co-ordination for many personal clouds... at least in this narrow area. </i>But fairly, it must be recognized that these are difficult issues without easy answers... and evolution of my ideas here are inevitable.<br />
<br />
Finally I'd suggest <b>the belief in the <i>lack</i> of any meaningful participatory capability is a central element in the growing cynicism and distrust of large institutions generally.</b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2008/10/capability-enables-responsibility.html">Capability ENABLES Responsibility</a></b><br />
<br />
Nothing here is set in stone. But I believe this is a vitally important public landscape which I'm rather consciously trying to catalyze. I invite all inquiries and welcome any opportunities to speak on this or related issues. Forgive this assumption... but I believe it would be worthwhile for this concept to get a bit of air.<br />
<br />
Governance is everybody's job. Take the leap!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RwxBxbuS43g/TQTeDo13sXI/AAAAAAAAAQI/aT82_jwgwzQ/s1600/Enlightenment+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RwxBxbuS43g/TQTeDo13sXI/AAAAAAAAAQI/aT82_jwgwzQ/s400/Enlightenment+3.jpg" height="400" width="313" /></a></div>
Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2908497241265279414.post-82796581483607668402010-10-15T10:22:00.000-07:002010-10-28T07:29:30.329-07:00Why Politics MUST be Localized<b><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RwxBxbuS43g/TMmIoUJ98PI/AAAAAAAAAP4/SeVidXTxkkg/s1600/clapping-gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RwxBxbuS43g/TMmIoUJ98PI/AAAAAAAAAP4/SeVidXTxkkg/s1600/clapping-gif.gif" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"All politics is local"</span></span></b></span></span></b></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This is as true today as when <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tip_O'Neill">Tip O'Neil</a> uttered the phase... <i>and as it's been from our <a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2009/11/how-would-hunter-gatherers-run-world.html">beginnings</a>.</i></div><br />
But the speaker and the context were focused on the strategies engaging the politician and the campaign... NOT on the problems facing the citizen in becoming a meaningful participant in civil governance.<br />
<br />
Changes in culture and technology from the growth of suburbs to the nature of work and the structure of finance have by themselves tended to fracture local communities and concentrate power, wealth and status.<br />
<br />
At the same time the actions of our political parties have abetted this disconnection of our citizens from their government (and visa-versa). Whether the issue is gerrymandering, revolving-door opportunism, state election laws, the structure of candidate debates... or the FEC duopoly...<br />
<br />
Politicians favor a closed and comfortable status quo. These problems have been going on for decades... all politicians are against gerrymandering yet somehow it continues... all politicians lament the problems of money in politics and yet the problems expand... all rail against the incredible expense of candidacy yet ignore simple solutions...<br />
<br />
The pernicious effects of the slow degradation of a citizen's ability to participate have expanded while the public has become numb and alarmingly passive about the degradation of the common man's role in civic life.<br />
<br />
This has given us disastrous governance and an out-of-touch groupthink within a political/economic elite that has come to increasingly favor those with whom they are closest... and upon whom they are most dependent... large contributors and their interests... Large contributors that set the boundaries of debate and set the bar for candidacy.<br />
<br />
Here's a simple fact: The Political class WILL NEVER address these <i>meta*</i>-political issues<br />
<br />
<i>*Issues concerning processes and mechanisms of governance (how the plane is designed rather than where it's going)</i><br />
<br />
Nancy Scola asks in a brief TechPresident piece: <a href="http://techpresident.com/blog-entry/can-online-politics-be-local"><b>Can Online Politics be Local?</b></a><br />
<br />
Not to be too cute... but ultimately... <b>It damn well better be!</b><br />
<div></div><div><br />
What would-be nation-builders have difficulty understanding is that representative government requires a <i>culture</i> of civic awareness and participation, a civic ethos... and for the long term... a culture of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skepticism">skepticism</a> that shuns fixed ideologies and political appeals to lizard-brain impulses.<br />
<br />
For a capable electorate you need a political environment that sustains and encourages thought and debate... and that has to build from the ground up... with everyday experience... repeated frequently.<br />
<br />
From Julian Zelizer <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(a professor of public affairs and history at Princeton in a brief article </span><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/10/05/zelizer.facebook.politics/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Facebook politics is fleeting</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> )</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"What makes Facebook politics vulnerable is that it lacks the local element that has always been so crucial to politics... The most durable forms of political organization have usually depended on local organizing... Facebook politics seems different. National conversations are as powerful, if not more powerful, than local networks. The experience of being in such a movement is often virtual, requiring nothing but a few clicks on a keyboard."</i></div><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://p2pfoundation.net/">Peer-to-peer</a> interaction is the very foundation of politics and stretches back at least to the neolithic...</b><br />
<br />
"Hey, Aga! Ooga says we should go east to hunt. I think that's a bad idea... we should go talk to him and see about going west!"</div><div></div><div><br />
Very, very locally based politics... face-to-face politics.</div><div></div><div><br />
An everyday experience... politics repeated frequently.<br />
<br />
We lost the capability for that kind of immediacy with the rise of organized agriculture. Representational forms of government are all attempts to address this loss of proximity which arose with scale.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(see </span><a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2009/05/foundations-of-authoritarianism.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Foundations of Authoritarianism</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> )</span></div><div></div><div><br />
Sadly, we have a much LESS sophisticated electorate than what is possible. And our politics are slowly breaking down those cultural characteristics so essential for a healthy social contract. Lizard-brain emotionalism and simplification are thriving. Many are quite satisfied with that situation. It doesn't require conspiracy by leadership... only group dynamics and the neglect of the "altruism scaling problem" (essentially the biological basis of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cronyism">cronyism</a>)... a problem who's solution does NOT require teaching people to be <i>nicer</i> (though that may be a result)... but rather requires the empowerment of horizontal networks via facilitation of meaningful peer-to-peer empowered association. (That's not all it requires but its a vital element.)<br />
<br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #d9ead3;">Is a vote for someone you don't know... on a list put together by forces you have no meaningful control over... backed by interests that may not be your own... by means intentionally discouraging careful thought... democracy? Does it build or even seek to access crowd wisdom?</span></div><div></div><div><br />
We could all live in plexiglass boxes and have a couple of buttons put in front of us every few years representing whether we want blue or red leadership and we could call that a representative form of government.</div><div></div><div><br />
</div><div></div><div>The Enlightenment is not some automatic certainty from now till doomsday. Its a fragile and 'skeptical' cultural perspective that's always had to face opposition from interests that find simplification and irrationality to be forces more easily aroused. The lizard brain approach works and is ultimately very, very dangerous! No matter how 'righteous' the causes a leadership coterie believes itself to hold.</div><div></div><div><br />
I'm suggesting that the Individually-controlled/<wbr></wbr>Commons-dedicated Account* is a fundamental component necessary for citizen engagement now made possible by the rise of global ICT and the web. (And while I'm discussing it here in the U.S. context I believe it has global utility that's equally vital especially in this period of rapid global cultural transition.)</div><div></div><div><br />
*A self-supporting , Commons-owned neutral network of accounts for both political and charitable monetary contribution... which for fundamental reasons of scale must allow a viable micro-transaction (think x-box points for action in the Commons). The resultant network catalyzes additional functionality for co-ordination of other 'social energy' utilization. (If desired, It's also the most neutral and ultimately politically viable method for the public finance of elections.)</div><div></div><div><br />
This is essentially a libertarian structure... however by establishing it as "Commons-owned" it acquires unique characteristics which allow it (in total) to operate as a counterbalance quite literally protecting the Commons from excessive concentrated control.</div><div></div><div><br />
This capability only needs to be offered for it to be utilized and for the network to grow, though there are various bootstrapping strategies which, I believe can substantially hasten the process.<br />
<br />
The utility of the micro-transaction in citizen-organized lobbying via such a platform even if used only occasionally by some and never by others... eventually drives development of a stable base with great attraction for ALL potential donors and recipients.<br />
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Since such an account network has attractive utility for the user even when unfunded... or only occasionally funded for immediate dispersal... And offers multiple opportunities for the recipient side to expand reach... as well as the nature of the network's ownership and governance...<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">(Note: for a better understanding of the mechanism and simple demonstration see the </span><a href="http://www.chagora.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">demo</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> and </span><a href="http://www.chagora.com/faq.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">faq</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">)</span><br />
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<b>It leads to an unusually stable user-base.</b><br />
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This then presents the potential for direct peer-to-peer co-ordination for political, and <i>geographically localized</i> political and civic co-ordination.<br />
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Intra-network systems of peer-to-peer communication can be structured along the lines of dating web sites offering means of graduated levels of anonymity encouraging the building of online local political relationships that can then more easily become face-to-face trust relationships... even amongst those with differing opinions... a key goal.<br />
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Further an account holder's pages can be geared to various levels of electoral/geographic scale, each with its own focus depending on the user's designations and degree of desired anonymity.<br />
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And while this has value globally as well... it's in <i><b>neighborhoods </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">that we will begin to see potentials for new leaders to arise and a vitalization of repressed desires for participation. <a href="http://culturalengineer.blogspot.com/2008/10/capability-enables-responsibility.html">Capability ENABLES Responsibility!</a> Our future depends on engaged citizens... and without consensus on a fundamental fairness to the system and potential for participation... a vacuum forms which fills with cynicism.</span></i><br />
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</div><div>It's easier to find a group of people interested in purple skateboards on Facebook (or MySpace, etc.) than it is to connect with people on the next block.<br />
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<b>Localization MUST be facilitated for the individual to fulfill his or her role in the Commons.</b><br />
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Here's an ad-hoc hypothesis... <i>A viable and sustainable global civilization MUST be built in harmony with the individual AND social drives out of which we came. Human nature may change over millenia but not within election cycles.</i><br />
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We can encourage the development of the sort of personal neighborhood associations on which thoughtful decision-making depend.</div><div></div><div><br />
</div><div>I'd hate to think... that since the political parties prefer the current system... and that concentrated interests fear loss of influence... or that because corporations naturally don't support potentially competing 'Commons-owned' enterprises... that the Commons has no constituency representing it!</div><div></div><div><br />
<i>[This is related to why being (quite literally) owned by humanity as a whole is such a vital element... and makes this a vital seed structure for political/cultural evolution... perhaps that's hubris but I think it just might be true and is worth at least a moment's consideration.]</i></div><div></div><div><br />
</div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Its not enough... and its the wrong focus... to place all the emphasis on how to more cleverly empower <i>candidates and parties</i> to analyze, influence and carve-up voters with lizard-brain approaches... the top down approach to political influence...</span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's time to work from the bottom-up... to empower <i>citizens and communities</i>! The Internet is a landscape. Our evolution will be shaped by it for good or ill.</span></div><div></div><div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RwxBxbuS43g/TLiMEbGcUhI/AAAAAAAAAP0/7foDSpJv3n4/s1600/adam_smith_1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RwxBxbuS43g/TLiMEbGcUhI/AAAAAAAAAP0/7foDSpJv3n4/s200/adam_smith_1.png" width="200" /></a></div>Call me an Adam Smith Progressive. </div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b>Let's build this already! Unlike obvious problems like gerrymandering and so many other areas in need of electoral reform... this one doesn't need to wait for the agreement of politicians and concentrated interests. Let's call it a respectful end run around the blockage in our political arteries.</b></div>Tom Crowlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04444476865484424912noreply@blogger.com2