Reno Obama Technology Policy Panel Recap
About 50 people attended tonight’s panel discussion on the Obama technology policy–a stellar turnout due in no small part to the quality of the panel itself. I would would like to thank all of the panel members for participating in the groundbreaking event: David LaPlante, CEO of Twelve Horses; Tim Casey, Co-Founder and Partner at Silversky Group L.L.C.; Donica Mensing, Associate Professor at University of Nevada, Reno’s Reynolds School of Journalism; and David Bobzien, State Assemblyman for District 24. They suffered through my mediocre (at best) moderation efforts. A big hearty thanks also goes out to James Molder and Don Clark from Cathexes for the use of their wonderful space.
When a campaign is reaching out to engage voters on tech policy, that’s a sign that something really special is going on. What I came away with was the re-affirmed conclusion that the Obama campaign is full of strategic and innovative thinkers that we need in the U.S. right now. As panelist David LaPlante pointed out, any president who is smart enough to ask for advice from technology’s best revolutionary thinkers like Lawrence Lessig (or Larry as I like to call him), deserves your vote.
Panelist Tim Casey educated all of us about the U.S. patent system and how its inefficiency can stifle innovation among other things. He also pointed out how closely Obama’s technology policy aligned with Northern Nevada’s 2010 economic development plan. and how the initiatives in the Obama policy could assist Northern Nevada in achieving the goals outlined in the Target 2010 plan.
Perhaps panelist Donica Mensing said it best when she spoke about the difference in vocabulary used in the McCain and Obama campaign tech policies. Mensing noted that McCain’s policy often used the word “customer” or “client” while Obama’s policy is filled with mentions of “community” and “citizen.” Would you rather be thought of as a customer or a citizen by your government? Essentially, this campaign can be distilled down to this question. That’s what you’re voting on. I don’t know about you, but I prefer to be thought of as a citizen by my government. It’s much more empowering.
Here’s a snippet of Mensing’s comments:
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I learned a lot. I didn’t know about this for example.
(That’s cleanstart.org, about new venture startups in renewable energy in our area.)
Lots of impediments to creating businesses based on new “things”. Patent process discussed among other things.
They touched on Obama’s $150 billion/ten year venture capital fund investment proposal, which (if I understand it right) will reduce the risk for many startups based on new energy technologies. I think it was Bobzien who referenced the 2010 cleanstart effort as being akin to Obama’s efforts, which of course would a nationally scaled version.
Thanks for helping paint a concrete picture. Great job moderating.
Several other things learned. Probably should followup on that 12 year old boys’ reported enhancement of photovoltaic cells. If what Casey said was true, current cells are able to utilize only 12% of the sun’s energy hitting them, then this boy’s improvement on that x 4 is big.
Myrna’s got the correct outfit (and relevant link): Target2010….had forgotten that term. The link I gave in the other comment relates to similiar efforts nearby, in the Sacramento Corridor.
In the Q and A, they talked more about the decentralization of energy production and distribution enterprises.