Technology for morons
March 12th, 2009 by benign0Having been a brilliant consultant for most of my career (the part of my career enveloped by daylight, that is) I just have to sit back and laugh heartily at all this “debate” surrounding “election automation”. Organisations and, in this case, entire societies that seek to use technology to metaphorically squeeze a lard-ass into a tight pair of Diesel-branded jeans hoping (in that dysfunctional way that they regard “hope”) to look cool are a consultant’s wet dream.
Technology vendors are essentially not contractually obligated to ensure that their clients use the technology they sell properly. They are, on the other hand, contractually held to installing the technology as per the client’s documented requirements.
As such; tough luck to most buyers of today’s technology products is what I say.
The principles applied to buying and applying technology are essentially the same whether it involves a multi-million dollar monstrosity of an application or a ten-dollar pocket calculator. The functional requirements you have in mind when buying a calculator could be summarised in one statement:
Fast and paperless resolution of arithmetical problems.
But then we quite easily take the concept of arithmetical problems for granted because arithmetic has been so effectively and deeply-ingrained in us (most of us at least) over decades of formal education.
We get arithmetic. And as such, a pocket calculator is a superbly potent tool in the hands of the average elementary school graduate.
So here is the really interesting question:
But do we as a people really get the whole idea of “elections”?
The above question teleports us back to Fiesta September of 2005 when the singular essence of the underlying issue at the time was quite simple:
We Filipinos remain utterly incapable of holding ourselves accountable for the quality of the bozos we elect.
The events leading up to September of 2005 highlighted the essence of our character as a self-described “democratic” people:
:D A people who pinned their hopes on the democratic process of impeachment (a process than can have many outcomes), yet bizarrely expected only one acceptable outcome.
:D A people who elected their representatives to Congress by popular vote and then deny that these officers of the Legislature represent the will of the Majority.
Buying the latest whiz-bang technology (not to mention the half-wit expectation of getting it up-and-running in time for the 2010 Fiesta Election) is the kind of brainwave reserved for morons.
Even more moronic is the whole effort to debate the infinitessimally-small technology component of the whole debacle of Pinoy-style “democracy”, given that we do not get the whole point behind it all — holding ourselves accountable for the choices we make.
It’s simple, really™ — though not for the small-minded.
============
Join us on Facebook!
March 12, 2009 at 8:48 am
There’s still time Benigs, let’s email the COMELEC a brilliant copy of your brilliant qualifications, your brilliant track record, and your own brilliant recommendations on how to sort out the Philippines’ electoral conundrums.
To complete the package also send them a hardbound copy of your brilliant book.
But seriously, Ben, I’ve begun reading your tome and I see where your heart is. Mahal mo ang Pilipinas, bro.
Most sincerely, saludo ako sa iyo, Benigs.
March 12, 2009 at 9:15 am
Hi BeniGno,
Yep, I agree with Ding. It’s time for the COMELEC to “get real” and seriously consider you as their technology consultant.
Hey, the very future of the entire society is at stake here. And nobody, oh nobody, is competent enough to handle such a gigantuan task than someone who believes that Pinoys should get real.
Brilliance is something the COMELEC lacked for a loong time.
March 12, 2009 at 9:38 am
Brilliant consultant practicing in Australia?
Couldn’t make it in the big time huh?
March 12, 2009 at 10:09 am
And what is wrong about impeaching GMA exactly?
We still meet at Starbucks, dude :)
March 12, 2009 at 11:14 am
Election-2010 can not be held without Filipinos manning the polling booths, etcetera etcetera, with or without new machines.
Read on:
http://smoke.ph/?p=486
March 12, 2009 at 11:15 am
Yes benign0, getting fast and accurate results of the people’s unqualitative exercise of democratic options will not bring qualitative leadership and responsible governance.
March 12, 2009 at 11:36 am
We can only hold ourselves accountable for the choices we make if the choices we make are the winners in the election. Ergo, animation.
Perhaps it is you Benigz who doesn’t see the simple logic behind that.
Besides, you misunderstood Nick Joaquin’s essay. He was really talking about you!
March 12, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Tsk tsk.
This attitude is precisely what I meant when I said that Pinoys don’t get it, Dean.
Whether the candidate we voted for wins or loses, we are still as a society that fancies itself as “democratic” accountable for the outcome of the whole political exercise collectively.
The choice to go Democractic is not an individual choice, Dean. It is a collective choice made by the society as a whole; i.e. as a political unit.
So you for example, Dean, cannot go around haughtily declaring that you did not vote for a moron like Erap. Erap is the outcome of our collective stupidity as a people.
It’s scary that people such as yourself fancy themselves as the thought leaders of our society. With “experts” like you, who needs morons.
It’s simple, really™ — though not for the small-minded. :D
March 12, 2009 at 2:21 pm
“Erap is the outcome of our collective stupidity as a people.”-benignO
Brilliant! As if Marcos, GMA, and the others are Mother Teresa.
March 12, 2009 at 2:28 pm
@benig
in what sense is ” holding ourselves accountable for the choices we make”
Better than (define better in any way that makes sense)…
…holding elected officials for the choices they make while in office?
March 12, 2009 at 3:40 pm
but admit it benign0, it’s a start..
March 12, 2009 at 4:51 pm
“Technology vendors are essentially not contractually obligated to ensure that their clients use the technology they sell properly. They are, on the other hand, contractually held to installing the technology as per the client’s documented requirements.”
The above involves self-contradiction.
“The principles applied to buying and applying technology are essentially the same whether it involves a multi-million dollar monstrosity of an application or a ten-dollar pocket calculator. The functional requirements you have in mind when buying a calculator could be summarised in one statement:”
Again, involves the same fallacy.
“Buying the latest whiz-bang technology (not to mention the half-wit expectation of getting it up-and-running in time for the 2010 Fiesta Election) is the kind of brainwave reserved for morons.”
This one is misleading enough.
Look who’s laughing all the way to the bank
“Even more moronic is the whole effort to debate the infinitessimally-small technology component of the whole debacle of Pinoy-style “democracy”, given that we do not get the whole point behind it all — holding ourselves accountable for the choices we make.
It’s simple, really™ — though not for the small-minded.”
It simply discusses the whole thing out of something else. This is ambiguous.
March 12, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Karl Popper,
I could’nt agree more.
But, like I said in the earlier threads, we need tech experts like BeniGno to teach us how.
Remember, I advocate revolution right? I need someone like BeniGno to make it happen.
It’s simple…really@tm :-)
March 12, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Benigz,
We are not under any contractual obligation by the Democratic Constitution to be accountable for the choices made by Garci.
But your rejection of Erap is a stark example of precisely what you ARE berating: the inability to accept the democratic choice of the people.
You see, Benigz, I’m really all over you because I’m onto you.
Each of your posts is actually a confession of some fault in yourself that you ascribe to everybody else.
You are pitiful but we shall all continue to help you.
March 12, 2009 at 8:26 pm
As I’ve always said, Dean, we’re all glad you’re here to tell us these things.
What to you is an insightful brainwave is something that many already know about me. I am indeed able to write these things because, as a Filipino myself, I am and myself internalise in my own psyche the very core of the dysfunction of Pinoy culture.
I’m the Filipino’s worst nightmare, Dean. Because I am able to both recognise the Filipino’s dysfunction IN me, and am able to step back from it and articulate it.
So call each brilliant article of mine a “confession” if you want Dean. The fact is, I find it quite amazing that you have come to this realisation about what I am all about only now.
Chalk another one up for the “expert”, Dean. :D
March 12, 2009 at 9:15 pm
one movie said it all: ” we don’t really care who are elected as long as the people are given the semblance of having elected them”, that is the simplistic approach to “participatory democracy”.
to enjoy the true meaning of democracy, the electors and the elected must know the issues and the problems confronting us so we can address them. but we are truly a confused people, or as benign0 would say, “entirely clueless”. erap is the resut of our stupidity and so were countless other leaders we were told we have elected to office.
if you ask the metro manila poor, erap is the best thing that happened to the country and they were looking for another yet opportunity to elect him… this is but to highlight our confusion, or shall i say, our stupidity? :)
March 12, 2009 at 9:20 pm
Benign0@8:26 pm , you are misrepresenting the Filipino. We may have many faults but we are not douchebags.
March 12, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Some symptoms of neurosis (from Wiki):
“…cognitive problems such as unpleasant or disturbing thoughts, repetition of thoughts and obsession, habitual fantasizing, negativity and cynicism…”
March 12, 2009 at 9:54 pm
the latest Pulse Asia survey for president released today showed four presidentiables running neck to neck, in this order: Noli, Chiz, Erap, Villar.
the survey not exclusive to Manila poor.
March 12, 2009 at 9:58 pm
you are too funny , lol :)
March 12, 2009 at 11:11 pm
Buying the best Electoral Technology will never
prevent Election Cheaters from Cheating. These
people are expert in their craft of Cheating in
an election. We, must be vigilant and remain
On Guard for all circumstances…
March 13, 2009 at 10:11 am
Benign0,
I am always tried to keep my sanity as you unashamedly trot out you ’superior’ intellect at the expense of other Filipinos.
I told you I am reading what is supposedly Book 1 of your continuing study of how the Philippines can ‘get real’.
You are Filipino, you say.
I will grant you that.
But your BAREFACED BIGOTRY toward your own kind makes me want to puke.
Don’t get me wrong. I am beyond being angry at you. I am in grief.
I stand with cvj and DJB.
May you continue to have a brilliant existence,
But do try to get a life beyond your imaginings of superiority.
March 13, 2009 at 10:20 am
Hmmmm. Now I’m a bit hurt, Ding.
Could you please cite specific examples of said “bigotry” that can help me in my efforts in my efforts to become a better human being?
As Dean mentioned earlier, you are all here to help me, right?
Maybe in that way we will not have to see the contents of your digestive tract flowing into Manila’s esteros (that’s where Manila’s sewage ultimately ends up, if I recall right…).
- :D
March 13, 2009 at 10:38 am
:)
Ben,
Yes we are here to help, but only in terms of attempting to explain that in your efforts to convince Filipinos to “get real” by denigrating them us,while you continually call attention, nay, pay tribute to you, you,and you exposes not your supposed brilliance but your extreme narcissism.
March 13, 2009 at 11:51 am
I’m still not enturely clear on why you think I am a “bigot”.
Cite specific examples, plez…
March 13, 2009 at 5:31 pm
In general, this is how an automated voting system works.
A computer based voter registration workstation ——-> communicates with a voters database (to verify the eligibility of the voter) ——–> Using a computer-based interactive graphic interface, the voter can enter the votes —–> VOtes are then collected at the vote entry stations and at the same time downloaded to the vote entry controller (this gives 2 copies of collected votes, and can be compared to one another to make sure the number of votes have not been tampered or modified)
In this case, if you want to modify the votes collected, you will have to modify the votes collected at the vote entry stations and the votes downloaded to the vote entry controller.
March 13, 2009 at 7:04 pm
I suspect that is not how simple the P11.3 billion automation would be.
March 13, 2009 at 7:10 pm
karlpopper,
actually, we dont know that. 11.3B, 10% to the top guy, 10%to the next top guy, another 10% to the blah blah blah and so on and so forth…for all we know, ang binayad lang talaga sa sistema ay10% or 5% na langnung published budget hehehehehe
isnt that how it works in the Phils hahaha
March 13, 2009 at 9:50 pm
juwan,
Your idea pushed me into concluding that a double whammy is what is in store for the – powers that be.
They can siphon off from the huge budgetary fund the amount they want as they can siphon off from that e-voting machine the vote counts they need.
In both cases, they get the “looties and the booties”.
You have no choice, juwan, some of us here may have to take you seriously, some don’t.