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| Return to Karma - Saturday, March 26, 2005 at 12:58 p.m. |
From the various websites that I have explored, it is easy to see that the karma system is not the end all system for post control. Sites like Newgrounds have systems that are customized to meet their needs. However, it is definitely useful and should be considered a minimum. Sites like DA and xanga suffer in lack of quality posts due to the lack of regulation. Karma is powerful, even Newgrounds integrates it into their system, but it can still be more powerful yet, as SE shows with their complete dedication to the system. The system works beautifully because it does not required moderators or admins to browse through all the traffic their site recieves but instead uses the peer users, who already goes through the content for their own entertainment or needs. This is similar to Rowland's discussion of how users of the net are both producers and consumer, except there is an added filter element in process. Indeed, the only people who should be regulating the net should be its citizens and not large corporations or government. If we following the concept of peer regulation that karma has introduced to us, would the citizens of the net be able to prove to the world that the internet is one of chaos and anarchy (the negative connotation one)?
I propose a net wide implementation of the a peer regulatory system. IETF could make one site for it all and eventually it'll be like a search engine site but with points and comments listed for each site searched. Users would make a single account (per IP address? or maybe recognized ISP email such as telus to prevent multiple accounts?) and they would actively participate in regulating the entire net in a way not unlike SE's system.
There are still downsides of Karma, of course. All sites that have been discussed so far, Newgrounds, SE etc, each have their respective admin that exert their powers when necessary. Should a globalnet scale peer regulation system ever be adopted, who would be the one to rule them all? "Sed quis custodient ipsos custodes?" (Who will guard the guards?). Technically, the philosophical argument that follows that famous phrase proposes that a circulatory system, where each guard guards another person and eventually the first guard guards the last so that everyone is covered, is applicable to the net. An actual formal arrangement is impossible due to the traffic. However, if the system is allowed to run its due course, then elite groups will begin to appear. It has already been discussed that empty regulation points (like Xanga's eprops) does not work well. Instead, real rewards must be given to those who regularly post quality posts and contribute positively to the system, such as that of stronger influence in regulation. Though history may be a good indicator, there may be a few who purposely act a particular way to gain power and then unify themselves so that they are more powerful than anyone else on the net. Even worse would be corporations buying out these people's accounts, or even making one themselves, and using their power for making revenue.
There are two solutions to this: One, we apply the IETF or another UN internet society (or all) as a guard and in return, the citizens guard them back. That is, the IETF assures that there is no serious infringement or power abuse at work and the citizens would show whether they support the IETF in a particular action or not. The second solution is even more simple in that the IETF is removed from the scenario and the citizens themselves have the ability to unite and take on any malforces. No matter how powerful a group may be, they cannot possibly be a match for the rest of the world.
Well, that's the end of my discussion on Karma systems and regulatory systems in general. What is next you say? Starting within the next month-month and a half, I will be making a new blog with blogger on advertisement and the consumer society in general. I will follow a similar format to this except the discussions will be focused more on various ad campaigns etc that are running in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Check back here within a month and I should have a site posted. Until then, don't worry, be happy dear readers!
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Cheers,
MrScaryMuffin |
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