Should Geekzone be a model for New Zealand?

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Rikkitic

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#195182 9-Apr-2016 10:23

Geekzone is not a democracy. The One Who Rules makes that abundantly clear. He governs with a Firm Hand and brooks no nonsense. As a result, Geekzone is one of the best-run sites of its kind on the Internet. Discussions here are disciplined, well-moderated, and generally of a high standard. No bad language allowed. No personal attacks. No flames. No pardon. Two wrong moves (one, if the transgression is severe enough) and you are out.

For these and other reasons, Geekzone is also very popular. In fact, it is a lot like Singapore, a tight ship with a stern captain at the helm. No democratic nonsense here.

Contrast this with 10 minutes of Parliament TV during Question Time. I have to wonder, and now I have to ask, should Geekzone be a model for New Zealand? Is this regulated, censored, authoritarian regime actually the way governments should be run? Not advocating, just asking the question.

I don't think there is ever a bad time to talk about how absurd war is, how old men make decisions and young people die. - George Clooney

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#1528906 9-Apr-2016 10:29

So you want a non elected benevolent dictator? Perhaps succession could be hereditary, or determined on the field of battle?

tdgeek

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#1528908 9-Apr-2016 10:37

So the Govt should be deregulating everything, uncensoring everything?. And BTW we are not in an authoritarian state. Is there another country that would be more suitable than often criticised NZ?

tdgeek

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#1528912 9-Apr-2016 10:49

I don't have a problem with our Govt.Its elected for a start, we elected them. Its pretty darn tame. Look at the US, Australia. We are small enough to minimise the tiers of power, things can get done quicker. Being small also places us in a position where many policies cannot control our destiny, we are a drop in the global bucket. We often have to follow the world like an empty plastic bottle on a wave. But we do alright. No one can expect a utopia. We also don't have the luxury of massive oilfields, goldfields, we got to do it ourselves, on the land, in the sea, and we are pretty up there in IT. That we punch above our weight doesn't just cover sport. Lange was popular and strong, Clarke was strong, Key is steady. Ponytails aside, its ok here

Dairyxox

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#1528915 9-Apr-2016 11:08

It works alright for a website/forum because people can choose from many to willingly be a part of.

MikeAqua

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#1528955 9-Apr-2016 12:38

Autocracy that comes with real power, eventually corrupts anyone. Robert Mugabe was once a hero ...

No offense intended but control of a website isn't real power. I'm not sure the owner-operator model would lend itself to governance of a state or any organisation with coercive powers.

Mike

tehgerbil

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#1528957 9-Apr-2016 12:42

In an internet forum - a strict, well maintained rule base is integral to maintaining composure, friendliness and an approachable nature for both new users, and veteran users.

This approach suits an environment where you have young, old, agreeable minds and disagreeable mind coming together not for a common goal, but to provide their own opinion and knowledge upon subjects discussed on the forum in a thoughtful and meaningful way.

This is rather unique to internet based websites, as there's no "1 voice at a time" there's a thousand voices, all clamoring to be heard.

I can see how this relates to running a country, however it's way to fundamentally different to work on that level.

Geektastic

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#1529078 9-Apr-2016 17:07

Benign Dictatorship is definitely the best government.

Finding Benign Dictators is hard though....

roobarb

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#1529098 9-Apr-2016 17:34

Geektastic: Benign Dictatorship is definitely the best government ....

You think you are getting Benign but end up with Benito.

Sideface

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#1529099 9-Apr-2016 17:35

roobarb:

Geektastic: Benign Dictatorship is definitely the best government ....

You think you are getting Benign but end up with Benito.

... or Donald Trump

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Hammerer

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#1529107 9-Apr-2016 17:50

MikeAqua: Autocracy that comes with real power, eventually corrupts anyone. Robert Mugabe was once a hero ...

No offense intended but control of a website isn't real power. I'm not sure the owner-operator model would lend itself to governance of a state or any organisation with coercive powers.

Robert Mugabe was lauded as a hero by many at the time in much the same way that Lenin was been lauded. Like Lenin, Mugabe almost immediately worked to make his party the only political party in the state.

roobarb

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#1529159 9-Apr-2016 19:11

stalin: Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the vote decide everything.

Or you engage in gerrymandering and voter disenfranchisement by reducing polling stations in select districts and having stringent ID requirements under the pretence of combating non-existent voter fraud.

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#1529237 9-Apr-2016 20:55

Hammerer:

MikeAqua: Autocracy that comes with real power, eventually corrupts anyone. Robert Mugabe was once a hero ...

No offense intended but control of a website isn't real power. I'm not sure the owner-operator model would lend itself to governance of a state or any organisation with coercive powers.

Robert Mugabe was lauded as a hero by many at the time in much the same way that Lenin was been lauded. Like Lenin, Mugabe almost immediately worked to make his party the only political party in the state.

Indeed. You'd have to wonder just how many Zimbabweans think they are better off under Robber Bob than they were under the Empire.

tdgeek

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#1529269 9-Apr-2016 22:02

Just read two articles on Trump. Older couple support him. Shivers. Another said that if he was President that would keep ISIS away. Like hell, they would be all over him, jabbing, wanting to provoke him into a military rushed response. It would exacerbate the issue. Godzone is ok.

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#1529306 10-Apr-2016 03:18

I really don't understand the OP ... Although some have explained how the dictators in this world came to be ... Hell no! Absolute power corrupts absolutely. I can't entertain the thought of NZ under a dictator for one second.

Involuntary autocorrect in operation on mobile device. Apologies in advance.

geek4me

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#1529314 10-Apr-2016 08:15

New Zealand's government is democratic but by no means perfect. However, if I had to choose between a democracy and any other form of government on earth I would go for a democracy every time. We get the chance to vote in another lot every three years if we don't like what we see. Imagine if freitasm went rogue on us we wouldn't be able to change things in what is perhaps a benevolent dictatorship. Likewise NZ's government ruled by one man who went rogue (aka North Korea) would not be the type of government I would like to see in this country.

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