We’ll likely have some time to cover some discussion topics this year, so please pick three from the list below and reply with your chosen topics, or if you think there’s something we really should be discussing, please suggest it!
This informal poll will close on Friday so we can finalise the agenda prior to Congress.
How to be more engaging in the real world with local meetings, etc
What does “non-commercial” actually mean?
We do not have a full understanding of what we mean by “non-commercial” in the context of copyright. Is the Pirate Bay a commercial copyright infringer? What about Mega and other filelockers? How involved does a service provider need to be in order for it to be a commercial copyright infringer?
The Pirate Party’s position on G20
The Pirate Party’s position on becoming a republic
Does Australia need to abolish the monarchy? Is the monarchy still relevant? Is our current system appropriate? What changes would need to be made? What sort of republic would we would support?
International Cooperation between Pirate Parties
Freedom of speech: are there acceptable limits?
The right to reputation, the right to privacy, restrictions on the use of confidential information, illegality and national security concerns all limit freedom of speech. Just what are the acceptable limits and how can we define them, if at all?
The “why” of Pirate Party Australia
To encrypt or not to encrypt? That is the question
When is it appropriate to encrypt communications? When is it appropriate to be open and transparent?
Civil liberties in the virtual world: how do we ensure our rights when there’s no physical intrusion? etc the philosophy of digital rights
Personally, I’d like to see/hear more discussion on 2, 7 and 6, in that order of preference.
Each of the other topics would no doubt make for interesting and useful conversation however, so I’m happy with “basically anything.”
Depending on time limits, it might be more. Three was the minimum set, but we might take it up to six if we have the time Just trying to gauge popularity of topics.
9, 6, and 4. Others are justifying 9 and 6, so I’ll just make a case for 4. I think there’s fertile ground for talking about enhancing the constitution to strengthen our democratic system (and cut the archaic monarchy).
9 seems to be quite the sticking point with e.g. Snowden’s leaks. I think the (relative) lack of public outrage is due to the fact that most people don’t seem to be able to relate to digital privacy intrusions in the way they might if e.g. surveillance equipment was being physically installed in their homes. It’s a new idea without direct precedent.
I think that this is a false dichotomy. Processes should be transparent, conversations should be secure and public when appropriate to serve the process. Encryption is just one tool you can use for this.
6 - Freedom of speech: are there acceptable limits?
The right to reputation, the right to privacy, restrictions on the use of confidential information, illegality and national security concerns all limit freedom of speech. Just what are the acceptable limits and how can we define them, if at all?
(it’s impossible to legislate freedom; only to promote the rights of some by constraining the liberty of others)
1 - How to be more engaging in the real world with local meetings, etc
(this is an area we struggle with; very pertinent)
9 - Civil liberties in the virtual world: how do we ensure our rights when there’s no physical intrusion? etc the philosophy of digital rights
Personally I think the Republic is worth talking about - if all the effort goes into replacing one archaic system with another equally as archaic, and undoubtedly flawed and compromised, then what’s the point of changing at all? Save the money, and the head space.
If I have to choose:
Just trying to gauge popularity of topics.