Recently I put in a few questions to an artificial intelligence ( https://neuron.expert/). I asked about the engineering work I used to do. The AI answered everything reasonably well. But the writing style keeps things in a general way, trying not to provide too many details. It cannot go wrong by staying general.
Then I asked the AI, “Who is Dave Volek?”
There is a Dave Volek more famous than I. We are about the same age, but the other Dave Volek played for the New York Islanders circa 1990. For sure, he scored more NHL goals than I ever did. He was put on the stage of 15,000 paying people many times. More people know about him than know about me.
Here is what this AI came up with:
Dave Volek is a Canadian engineer and writer known for his work on democratic governance and political theory. He has proposed innovative concepts for enhancing democratic systems, particularly focusing on more participatory and equitable models. One of his notable contributions is the concept of “Tiered Democratic Governance,” which aims to distribute decision-making authority across multiple levels to improve citizen engagement, accountability, and efficiency.
This is a nice abstract. But I wonder why the AI did not choose the other Dave Volek. He certainly has a much bigger presence on the internet than I have.
And I have other inventions on the internet. But 50% of my development time has gone to the TDG (Tiered Democratic Governance). So we could say that the AI picked the right “main invention.”
Key Contributions and Concepts
1. Tiered Democratic Governance
Concept: A multi-layered system of governance where authority and responsibilities are distributed across local, regional, national, and potentially supranational levels.
“Multi-layered” is correct.
While I do suggest that we can use the principles of the TDG to create a world government, I only mention it as a small paragraph in Chapter 8. None of my 300+ Medium articles have not mentioned this “fact.” Why it comes up so quickly in the AI assessment is a mystery to me: we TDGers have so much more to accomplish before we can consider the “world government” stage.
Objective: To enhance democratic participation and ensure that decisions are made at the most appropriate level, with a focus on localizing decision-making where possible.
Yep. Move decision making to as local as possible and practical. However, in my part of the world, my provincial government wants to take decision-making away from the province’s cities, towns, and counties. I think my government is following a natural human tendency for when people acquire power. Obviously my work has had no effect on my government.
2. Participatory Democracy
Focus: Advocates for increased citizen involvement in the political process through mechanisms like referendums, public consultations, and direct voting on key issues.
The AI messed up here. I am not in favor of direct democracy. And too often “public consultations” are mostly a veneer of public consultation. That term is used too loosely.
Goal: To create a more engaged and informed citizenry that actively participates in the governance process.
The TDG will allow more citizens to be involved in governance at some point in their lives. That experience will create a better societal understanding of how governance works — and wiser voting. Let’s say the AI got this point right.
Publications and Writings
Dave Volek has written various articles and papers outlining his ideas on democratic governance. These writings often explore the theoretical underpinnings of his concepts and provide practical recommendations for implementation.
A TDG book (55,000 words). Three TDG novels (85,000 words). 350 TDG-related articles (300,000 words). Ten videos with me talking about the TDG (135 minutes). An online workshop with me talking about consultative decision making (110 minutes). Let’s say the AI got another point right.
Impact and Influence
Thought Leadership: Volek’s ideas have contributed to ongoing discussions about how to reform and improve democratic systems in an era of increasing political complexity and technological advancement.
There is no such “ongoing discussions” happening. The TDG idea has been deemed as “not worthy of investigation,” including the advanced thinkers on Medium.
Policy Proposals: His work has inspired policy proposals aimed at decentralizing power and enhancing the role of citizens in governance.
Inspired? Pah! No one but myself has been inspired.
Practical Applications
Local Governance Models: Some municipalities and local governments have experimented with Volek’s ideas to create more participatory and accountable governance structures.
What a joke this statement is. No municipalities have asked me for any input. What little evidence I see that governance is going in this direction, it is a reluctant compromise.
Academic Discourse: His theories are often discussed in academic circles, influencing research and teaching on political science and public administration.
Pah! Pah! Pah! If the academics knew about me, they would not want to be in the same room. I have sent my works to thought leaders. A few got back to me and politely said, “Dave, you don’t know what you are talking about.” Most did not get back to me.
The AI did not pick up that I advocated for “no political parties.” The academics still believe the political party is the only way to govern. There is a big impasse here. They will not be punching any tickets to make my work better known.
Vision for the Future
Dave Volek envisions a future where governance is more transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of citizens. By leveraging technology and innovative organizational structures, he believes it is possible to create a more equitable and effective democratic system.
“More transparent?” “More accountable?” “More Responsive?” These are sure three great adjectives to fit into any campaign speech. To get the crowds cheering at an election rally. To get the TV news stations to fill their news clips between the commercials.
I have a Medium article about why we really can’t have the political accountability we so desire — in any system. The AI did not read this article. I should write an article about why we can’t have full transparency in government either. But I will take the “more responsive” qualifier. When the TDG is working well, it going to put our current understanding of “more responsive” to a higher level.
The AI's second sentence in this clip is a platitude, not really offering any details of the TDG. Well, the first sentence was also mostly a platitude.
Conclusion
Dave Volek’s contributions to the field of democratic governance are significant, particularly his advocacy for tiered and participatory models. His work continues to inspire and challenge conventional approaches to political organization, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in democratic systems.
The first sentence is another platitude. The second sentence used the word “inspire” again. I don’t know why the AI is using this word.
But my work is challenging to conventional political thinking. But my website stats and book sales say no one is reading my work. So then, is my work really “challenging?”
One thing the AI got consistently wrong was how I am a leader in political thought. I am leading nobody.
Or is the AI seeing the future?
Published on Medium 2024
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