Pixelated Semantics

A schizotypical inventory

Half-arsed pigeonholes for the long-lost

The ABC reports that Liberal MP Malcolm Turnbull has "called for the Government to give every Australian their own email address for life." He suggests that the emails [sic] would be used by Government agencies to "keep in touch with people", or they could be used by long-lost friends [though how 'friends' who possess a permanent email address could be 'long-lost' is not considered - Editor]. That this would also simplify state surveillance is not mentioned. The largest problem with the idea however is with Turnbull's example of a 'suggested address':

firstname.surname.dateofbirth@australia.org.au

- 'australia.org.au' happens to be the actual current domain of a 3rd party site for the 'Derby gateway to the Kimberley and King Sound', who may be less than amused at the use of their domain without a check from the MP's office. 'Half-arsed' is a description for this proposal that comes readily to mind, 'publicity-seeking' is another. To use the term 'electronic pigeonhole' perhaps also shows either a very shallow understanding of society and technology, or a measure of condescension: most Australians by now understand what an email address is without laboured metaphors. According to the NineMSN report, Turnbull describes his 'plan' as an 'innovative use of the internet to bridge the gulf between the government and the people it serves': the perception of a 'gulf' strongly indicates not just condescension, but is also disquieting: a truly functional democracy is built on close representation.

Item posted by AutoEditor at 11:25 am ::