"Sure. But don't expect any time off.
She waited for the laughter to subside. "Thank you. I consider myself to be a good citizen. I'm motivated to get involved. Voting is one way I express that. I even volunteered to help Arthur Fox get elected. But the business of government takes place between elections, and I would like a say in how the people's business is conducted. This legislative wiki makes that possible. With it, I can participate in the running of my country, even if I never leave my home. But I also need the opportunity, time that I can devote to this, when and how it is needed. So I need to balance my responsibility to my employer with my responsibility to my country. I can discharge both of these responsibilities if business and government agree to let me do it.
"I see, the mayor's right-hand man said. "And how, exactly, do you expect the government to help you do this?
Melissa grinned at the man's willingness to join the scenario. "It's like jury duty, in a way. People are permitted to be away from their jobs for an unknown length of time if they're selected. The law makes that possible. It could also enable registered participants to be excused for three days to work on the legislative wiki. Chesapeake TechSource and the company I'm contracted to would both be aware of this.
Derek continued the thought. "Here's where businesses can benefit. For Mr. Rosen's company to accommodate this, it would subscribe to legislative alerts generated by the committees where the bills are introduced. They'd know in advance if an employee would be called on for wiki duty. But they'd also be advised when bills that affect the business were introduced.
"Hold on, Rosen said. "I smell a conflict of interest brewing. There are some bills that I would be on one side of, and my employee would be on the other. Do you expect me to enable her to undermine my own financial interests?
"Excuse me, sir? Melissa said. "I don't think you understand wikis, Mr. Rosen. Were you of the opinion that the information I prepare would be biased?
Derek cleared his throat loudly. "I'd like to avert an argument here. May I have the floor again?
All three returned to their seats.
"We've reached a critical juncture: the subject of bias. It's gotten a bad reputation of late, and a lot of people have added to the damage by doing what they thought was right -- offering both sides to every dispute, even when one of those sides was either specious or calculated to benefit one of the parties. The news media have been the most guilty of it. And yet, the perspective that has been consistently omitted from discussion is that of the commons. In this case, how does the bill being considered affect the commons? Does it strengthen the commons, or weaken it? This perspective will never be presented by anyone with a financial stake in the outcome. That is why it must be supplied by the citizens, for in a way, they are the commons. They are the common wealth which must be protected by our government, the pool from which emerges an unending stream of innovation and ideas. The people.
"So, Mr. Rosen, the answer to your question is yes. That information will be biased. It must be, in order to balance out the strength of influence exerted by all of those campaign contributions. If that means shining a strong light on the subterfuge of exchanging favors for pork, then we will all be the better for it. For this nation was not intended to be about protecting businesses from competition and failure. It was supposed to have been about protecting the rights inherent in being a human being from being trampled by anyone, either by business or by the government itself.
Derek felt embarrassed about having gotten carried away with himself again, and nervously looked around the room.
The woman near the side door rose again. "I'm an editor by profession. I'm curious about how this content would have to be written. Any time you characterize a fact or figure by comparing it so something else, you engage the reader emotionally. It's a powerful way to influence someone. For example, if I was writing about the wages that Mr. Rosen pays the programmers he contracts out, I could compare it to what a direct employee earns, or say how expensive a house she could afford to buy. Both are truthful, but they lead the reader in very different directions. With legislation riding on Congressman Fox's understanding of the issues, this distinction could determine his vote. How do you intend to deal with that?
"Engage editors to help with the wiki, for one thing. Would it be possible to create a style guide that would eliminate this problem? Perhaps by separating the facts provided from their characterizations?
She looked over his head for a moment. "Maybe. That approach would also give the wiki writers a way to supply competing interpretations for a given fact. I'd have to sit down and try it out on a few subjects to be sure, though.
Derek extended an arm towards her. "In that case, I'd like to invite you to come to one of our sessions, so we can talk about it further. He turned towards Rosen. "Would something like that satisfy your objections?
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
1
1
1
