Given the complexity and sensitivity of human decision-making, we will need to ensure more congruence between the kinds of issues being addressed and the nature of meeting structures and formats that will be used to discuss the issue at hand. Thus, a more contingent set of rules for electronic public meetings is desirable. Currently, members of a public decision-making group are unlikely to show up for a meeting without a call from an authorized member. However, if an electronic forum exists for the discussion of a public issue, the potential for decision-makers to gather to discuss the public's business is greatly increased. If the electronic discussion forum allows anonymity, decision-makers may not even be aware that a quorum has been established.
Electronic meetings can potentially be asynchronous.
They could take place over a long period of time with substantial pauses between speakers and responders. In theory, such extended meetings could enhance attendance and participation, but they could also diffuse potential grouping of citizens, because a critical mass of citizens is never present. Under current public meeting guidelines, public viewpoints are generally limited to a particular part of the meetings and to a certain length of time. Similar structures could be established for electronic meetings. The reality of controversial non-electronic public meetings is one that includes groans and cheers from the public.