This started out as a "Magicians for Howard Dean" thread, but my conscience (yes, I know, more of a guideline actually) started nagging me.
I have every intention of using magic as one tool in my arsenal to spread the message of my favorite dem candidate, ultimately, one would hope, to influence the outcome of the 2004 US prez election (and possibly thereby save the world?). I intend to do this without anything I would define as coercion, but the line is a very fine one. I thought I'd see where my fellow 'lithers stand on this particular issue. Here are some of my thoughts:
Certain means of influencing the election are clearly unethical. Barring black voters from the polls, for instance, = wrong. Assuming it were even possible, entrancing massive numbers of voters and causing them to vote in favor of a particular candidate would be equally wrong. I want to avoid these methods, 'cause they're stinky.
However, using magical means to spread information is analogous to mundane propaganda like tv and radio spots and Dean's massive internet campaign. It is, however, a source of information unaware people may not be used to filtering. (whether they are able or accustomed to filter ANY information is a matter of debate elsewhere.)
The Party in Power has demonstrated the use of outrageous techniques to attain that power, and they are techniques I cannot match, not having a brother governing a key state or a cousin at Fox News, or the money to put election officials in my pocket. I have no reason to believe the PiP will not use similar techniques to keep it. What is the ethicality of using magic to block those techniques, ensure their failure, or even just balance them?
I'm also interested in discussing other considerations, such as methods, feasibility, unforseen consequences, cooperation, etc. Let me hear your thoughts. |
