HUe and cry
I began to question the nature of workplace democracy. Should we stick to straightforward yes/no votes, or could we implement more complex systems like ranked choice voting? The idea of calculating majorities from so many options felt daunting. Then, during one of my classes, ‘Politics of Code’, taught by Professor Joerge Blumtritt, I discovered the concept of liquid democracy. This model provided the flexibility and depth we needed, blending direct and representative democracy in a way that perfectly fit our vision for an inclusive and dynamic workplace. This inspiration led me to create a p5.js sketch of ‘Perlin Noise’ that visually represents my understanding of the concept of liquid democracy.
My understanding of liquid democracy reveals it as a sophisticated and fluid form of governance, where power gracefully oscillates between direct and representative democracy. In this system, individuals enjoy the liberty to vote on issues directly or entrust their voting power to esteemed representatives who can cast votes on their behalf. This approach marries the virtues of both worlds, crafting a more personalized and responsive democratic experience. The influence of one’s vote can be as direct or as delegated as desired, creating a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of collective decision-making.
At the same time, I was taking a course called Mixed Constitutions, which allowed me to draw inspiration from ancient philosophers like Plato, Machiavelli, and Foucault. This dual focus deepened my understanding and helped me develop our idea. Plato’s concept of the 'Noble Lie' from 'The Republic' explores how rulers might need to disseminate false information for societal stability, raising important ethical questions about state-controlled information and transparency. Machiavelli, in 'The Prince,' offers strategies of governance and control that remain relevant to discussions about power dynamics and political strategy. His pragmatic, often viewed as manipulative, approach to ruling provides a counterpoint to idealistic visions of democracy. Foucault’s work, particularly 'Discipline and Punish,' delves into the mechanisms of societal control through discipline and punishment. His analysis of power structures and the ways societies enforce norms and regulations informs our understanding of modern governance and surveillance.
So, I came with my sketch, ‘Hue and Cry’ - A Dynamic, flexible representation of voting is simulated through user interaction. Ranked choice voting involves decision-making by ranking preferences, with RGB sliders representing different societal concerns.
Here is the link to the sketch for you to interact with.
