Stop Exaggerating SOPA(blog.robertskmiles.com)
blog.robertskmiles.com
Stop Exaggerating SOPA
http://blog.robertskmiles.com/post/14597342716/stop-exaggerating-sopa
2 comments
> My hypothesis is that, in the case of SOPA, it would end up meaning'enforced disproportionately against individuals and small corporations to the benefit of the large corporations' - but in these cases, you can never be sure that there isn't some other hidden factor as well until it's too late.
I agree, and it's also worth remembering that those factors can change. Perhaps the current administration will selectively enforce in one way, but the law may be on the books for a long time, and those in power in the future may use that tool in quite a different way.
P.S. I edited the post since yours - "that’s the most dangerous thing about it" is now "that’s what makes it so dangerous", because I think it's less ambiguous. I don't think it affects your post, I just wanted people to know that you didn't misquote.
I agree, and it's also worth remembering that those factors can change. Perhaps the current administration will selectively enforce in one way, but the law may be on the books for a long time, and those in power in the future may use that tool in quite a different way.
P.S. I edited the post since yours - "that’s the most dangerous thing about it" is now "that’s what makes it so dangerous", because I think it's less ambiguous. I don't think it affects your post, I just wanted people to know that you didn't misquote.
"The best way to stop a bad law is to enforce it rigorously."
Spot on. People keep saying that 'only the worst offenders would be prosecuted'. However, anytime a law is enforced only partially, you have to stop and ask yourself what other biases (in the statistical sense) are being included by proxy (intentionally or not).
For example, in the case of drug laws, 'only the worst offenders' ends up meaning 'enforced disproportionately by race/socioeconomic status'. It wasn't the intention of the Controlled Substances Act in 1970, but it's undeniably been the outcome.
My hypothesis is that, in the case of SOPA, it would end up meaning'enforced disproportionately against individuals and small corporations to the benefit of the large corporations' - but in these cases, you can never be sure that there isn't some other hidden factor as well until it's too late.