The loss of civil liberties is a matter
where it's very hard for a person to effect change
I disagree.
In short I think good work in software and internet communications tools, like Tor, can actually have a profound effect on shaping government policy. (Tor is one of the darling s/w projects of the Swedish government.)
Slightly longer: I thought it was essentially impossible to influence government policy four or five years ago. I was interested in environmental issues and thought I would have to become a politician to be able to change things (heavens forbid). Then I fell into an opportunity where we started an open source software foundation to build online project, transparency, donation, visualisation tools for development aid.
Fast forward four years and we are working closely with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Get invited to publicly review the work of the Swedish counterpart and sit in on bilateral talks between the USA and the Dutch on aid transparency. I see public policy change before my eyes. Of course, this is not only because something which we did, but we are at the right time and place with the right effort. However, I do know that our work changes the way policy is being shaped.
If you are curious to read more check out a couple of my blog posts:
In short I think good work in software and internet communications tools, like Tor, can actually have a profound effect on shaping government policy. (Tor is one of the darling s/w projects of the Swedish government.)
Slightly longer: I thought it was essentially impossible to influence government policy four or five years ago. I was interested in environmental issues and thought I would have to become a politician to be able to change things (heavens forbid). Then I fell into an opportunity where we started an open source software foundation to build online project, transparency, donation, visualisation tools for development aid.
Fast forward four years and we are working closely with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Get invited to publicly review the work of the Swedish counterpart and sit in on bilateral talks between the USA and the Dutch on aid transparency. I see public policy change before my eyes. Of course, this is not only because something which we did, but we are at the right time and place with the right effort. However, I do know that our work changes the way policy is being shaped.
If you are curious to read more check out a couple of my blog posts:
http://bjelkeman.wordpress.com/2011/02/06/law-is-hard-code-i...
http://wearefuturegov.com/2010/11/19/guest-post-where-open-d...