When Confucius was asked the first thing he would do upon taking office, he replied that he would “rectify names”, as “If names are not rectified then language will not flow. If language does not flow, then affairs cannot be completed.” In the same way, whenever we try and talk about thing “new economics of the commons,” it is nearly impossible to have a sensible discussion, as not only are there no precedents to work with, there are not even any words to discuss it with, sort of like newspeak in reverse. It was part of the reason novel concepts such as democracy and atheism took so long to get off the ground, as the relevant concepts could not be adequately expressed.
If we are to seek some precedents, I suggest the classics. The politicians of ancient Athens gained power by supporting the needy, starting schools and building public monuments. The concept of “gravitas,” so inherent in the Roman system, important enough to cause Caesar to march on Rome, has disappeared from the English language, and has found no replacement.
Perhaps Sarko and Obama are a new type of politician riding on the blogosphere?
– some random
The Committee to Nuke Elysium 