A Revolution in Representation: Computation Comes to Democracy's Aid

Sunday, July 14, 2024: 4:00 pm (Little Theatre): Large groups of people are using open-source software to clarify their internal signal from noise, and by doing so, are bringing about a revolution in representation the world over. The simple idea of ...

Sunday, July 14, 2024: 4:00 pm (Little Theatre): Large groups of people are using open-source software to clarify their internal signal from noise, and by doing so, are bringing about a revolution in representation the world over. The simple idea of having a direct say over one's own future can feel very remote in today's democracies, but it's become possible in the last decade with technological innovation. Polis (OSS AGPLv3) is one such technology - a deliberation system - that is increasingly used by diverse, participatory pro-democracy movements around the world. Social movements and Indigenous nations have implemented Polis to augment their ability to understand their internal diversity and identify their shared goals en route to more effectively determining their own futures. Governments have implemented Polis to listen to their citizens and help their citizens hear each other, towards strengthening democratic processes and institutions - vTaiwan anyone? This talk will cover the basics of the technology and share stories of its impact.

Elizabeth Barry