Intellectual Defenestration

Technological Dependence

An interesting side note to the current circus in CA is the issue of technological dependence. The court's ruling that the punch-card machines were inadequate and would disenfranchise minority voters sounds like a woman I heard a while ago saying that she "simply could not live" without her cell phone, or people (like me) who talk about not being able to live without air conditioning. The assumption is that, without the latest and greatest technological products, any endeavor is useless.

But people have survived for thousands of years without cell phones or A/C. Governments have managed reasonable elections dating back to the Greeks while using such horribly inaccurate means as punch cards and voice votes.

Furthermore, any "latest and greatest" innovation comes with its own inherent risks and pains. A/C units break down, cost a great deal of money to fix, and use an incredible amount of energy. Cell phones are social nuisances, driving hazards, and electronic leashes. And even switching to a brand new, spiffy electronic voting methodology will bring a host of problems in terms of software and hardware reliability and security.

Americans need to quit sounding like spoiled children that aren't happy unless we have the coolest and neatest gadget.