We are deep in furrowed ground, etches in the national imagination of long standing. Current prophets and prognosticators see in yet another generation of electrical machines technological solutions to what are in fact persistent political problems. From the angle of technological analysis offered by Harold Innis, electronic technology is the problem. Possibilities of teledemocracy can be at least partially assessed by examination of the system of popular referendum most firmly established in California in the form of ballot initiatives. Political evidence suggests that the problems of democracy are not solved by direct referendum.
Technology is a human creation.
It is rather naive to assume that the tools we create can be more democratic, more compassionate, less subject to human error than their creators. Technology is only useful if it is preceded by the political will to solve pre-existing and persistent political problems. Belief in technological quick fixes is illusory.