On this episode of Spark:
- Dan talks to Ilona Dougherty, Richard Akerman, and Grace Lake about voting online
- Would you vote over the internet in a federal election? Vote below!
- Nora introduces our new toll-free number: 1-877-34-SPARK
- Spark listeners talk about their workplace computer woes
- Lisagaye Tomlinson and Paul Martine BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer) (full interview with Paul Martine)
- Nora talks to Merlin Mann about his upcoming series
- Jane McGonigal explains Superstruct, and gaming for the greater good (full interview)
This episode features Creative Commons music and sound effects:
- “Wadidyusay?” by Zap Mama
- “Jar hut” by Morusque
- “popcorn pt 2” by Jim Guthrie (not CC, used with permission)
- Clip from Telephone and Telegraph (1946)
- “Naughty Hula Eyes” by Andy Iona
- “No Pants Friday” from Backtime by Lee Rosevere
Play audio:
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For more information (and instructions) visit cbc.ca/podcasting
Original photo by smemnon87.
Another great episode. Thanks and keep it up!
Thanks!
Nope, no to voting online. There’s just too much risk of the “bad” people messing around with our votes. People who can’t haul their asses out to the polls on voting day are just lazy. One is given all sorts to time, employers are obligated to allow time off work to vote, and you get a couple of days to vote in advanced polls so there is no real reason for not voting.
I think if voters are not committed enough to get up off the couch and walk to the (always) nearby polling station…do we really want these individuals voting? Are they the informed or even interested in the issues? Do we want to encourage the apathetic to vote?
The elderly do not usually own or even know how to operate a computer let alone vote online. Elections Canada goes into retirement homes and seeks out the elderly.
Privacy can never be ensured when voting online, neither can the identity of the voter.
Hey Nora/Dan
I enjoyed your online voting piece, especially when Dan, expecting a “Yes”, asked Nora if she did her banking online. I live for those kind of moments.
Keep up the great work.
Tim
Here in Brazil (http://tinyurl.com/53txfh) we already have an electronic system to vote for president, governors and mayors. At the end of the election day we know, in a couple of hours, the elected ones. And this month (november, 2008) they are testing biometrics. Here are something at slashdot (http://tinyurl.com/3ttllu). Of course that is very different than vote online. We still have to leave our home in a Sunday, but we are going in a cool direction.
Keep up the good work!
Should we be reluctant to introducing technology into the voting process? A clear YES. Even the cynical has a couple of questions left wandering around his brain following the lecture of Robert Kennedy’s account of the US 2004 election, published in Rolling Stone. The faulty machines are invoked in chapter VII: http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10432334/was_the_2004_election_stolen
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If we can’t handle voting machines, should be go online? I’ve changed my mind. My vote is NO.
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Overall, another exciting, sharply produced episode. Congrats!
@Tim,
Ha! Thanks. Dan and I often have those moments, actually!