The governor of Michigan is Rick Snyder, formerly the CEO and Chairman of Gateway Inc., a maker of personal computers and other electronic products (Gateway was acquired by Acer). The governorship is Snyder's first elective position. He also chaired Ann Arbor SPARK, a tech-heavy economic development organization Though Snyder refers to himself as "one tough nerd," I think it's fair to say that he's not a technical person (other than in law and accounting). He's more a business leader and investment expert, so maybe not the kind of example you're looking for, Andrew. - Bill ________________________________ From: Members [members-bounces@lists.sigcis.org] on behalf of Andrew Meade McGee [amm5ae@virginia.edu] Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2017 10:41 AM To: members@sigcis.org Subject: Re: [SIGCIS-Members] Email "inventor" claimant to run for U.S. Senate -- alternative facts about technology and democracy collide As a follow up to Ayyadurai's candidacy -- have there been any previous instances of people who identify with the software industry running for major political office in the United states or internationally? --Andrew -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Andrew Meade McGee Corcoran Department of History University of Virginia PO Box 400180 - Nau Hall Charlottesville, VA 22904 On Sat, Feb 25, 2017 at 10:37 AM, Andrew Meade McGee <amm5ae@virginia.edu<mailto:amm5ae@virginia.edu>> wrote: Continuing with the ongoing saga of V. A. Shiva and his claims regarding the invention of e-mail, that gentleman has just announced his candidacy for the United States Senate. https://twitter.com/va_shiva/status/835420061993218048 As several SIGCIS contributors noted earlier this month, this nicely parallels the upcoming SHOT themes of technology and democracy. "Alternate facts" about the history of technology will play a major public element of this campaign next year. --Andrew

Of course! How could I forget Lautenberg! He was ADP's first salesman, if I recall. Thank you for this reminder, Paul. I've been thinking so much lately about the connections between high tech and the 70s/80s "Atari Democrats" I forgot that Lautenberg is an excellent example of an older school, New Deal-style politician with strong links to the technology sector. Some great avenues to explore there. Thanks, Andrew -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Andrew Meade McGee Corcoran Department of History University of Virginia PO Box 400180 - Nau Hall Charlottesville, VA 22904 On Sat, Feb 25, 2017 at 11:45 AM, Ceruzzi, Paul <CeruzziP@si.edu> wrote:

And of course there was the late Senator Frank Lautenberg, co-founder of ADP.

Paul Ceruzzi ceruzzip@si.edu 202-633-2414

-----Original Message----- From: Members [mailto:members-bounces@lists.sigcis.org] On Behalf Of McMillan, William W Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2017 11:34 AM To: Andrew Meade McGee <amm5ae@virginia.edu>; members@sigcis.org Subject: Re: [SIGCIS-Members] Email "inventor" claimant to run for U.S. Senate -- alternative facts about technology and democracy collide

The governor of Michigan is Rick Snyder, formerly the CEO and Chairman of Gateway Inc., a maker of personal computers and other electronic products (Gateway was acquired by Acer).

The governorship is Snyder's first elective position.

He also chaired Ann Arbor SPARK, a tech-heavy economic development organization

Though Snyder refers to himself as "one tough nerd," I think it's fair to say that he's not a technical person (other than in law and accounting). He's more a business leader and investment expert, so maybe not the kind of example you're looking for, Andrew.

- Bill

________________________________ From: Members [members-bounces@lists.sigcis.org] on behalf of Andrew Meade McGee [amm5ae@virginia.edu] Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2017 10:41 AM To: members@sigcis.org Subject: Re: [SIGCIS-Members] Email "inventor" claimant to run for U.S. Senate -- alternative facts about technology and democracy collide

As a follow up to Ayyadurai's candidacy -- have there been any previous instances of people who identify with the software industry running for major political office in the United states or internationally?

--Andrew

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Andrew Meade McGee Corcoran Department of History University of Virginia PO Box 400180 - Nau Hall Charlottesville, VA 22904

On Sat, Feb 25, 2017 at 10:37 AM, Andrew Meade McGee <amm5ae@virginia.edu <mailto:amm5ae@virginia.edu>> wrote: Continuing with the ongoing saga of V. A. Shiva and his claims regarding the invention of e-mail, that gentleman has just announced his candidacy for the United States Senate.

https://twitter.com/va_shiva/status/835420061993218048

As several SIGCIS contributors noted earlier this month, this nicely parallels the upcoming SHOT themes of technology and democracy. "Alternate facts" about the history of technology will play a major public element of this campaign next year.

--Andrew

_______________________________________________ This email is relayed from members at sigcis.org, the email discussion list of SHOT SIGCIS. Opinions expressed here are those of the member posting and are not reviewed, edited, or endorsed by SIGCIS. The list archives are at http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ and you can change your subscription options at http://lists.sigcis.org/ listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org

So funny fact: when I look for stories confirming this on Google news the only one that comes up so far is from Sputnik News, the Russian government’s foreign language propaganda outlet. https://sputniknews.com/us/201702251051029951-boston-enterpreneur-challenger... Doesn’t say which party nomination he’s seeking, does mention he announced it at a party “hosted by controversial figure Mike Cernovich, who organized the January "Deplora-ball" event at the National Press Club.” So if this turns into an actual campaign it will be interesting to see his political positions. On the one hand: friend of Chomsky, self-proclaimed victim of endemic racism, enemy of the military-industrial complex, anti-GMO activist, etc. On the other: vocal Trump supporter, partying with the alt-right. According to the Russians: "For me, its about defending the American dream… a real fighter and a real innovator exposing a fake fighter, which is what Elizabeth Warren is all about. I look forward to all your support because this is going to be a grassroots movement … delivering a Senate victory for a real Indian versus a fake Indian in Massachusetts," Ayyadurai said on Friday.” Tom From: Members [mailto:members-bounces@lists.sigcis.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Meade McGee Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2017 11:17 AM To: McMillan, William W <william.mcmillan@cuaa.edu> Cc: members@sigcis.org hosted by controversial figure Mike Cernovich, who organized the January "Deplora-ball" event at the National Press Club Subject: Re: [SIGCIS-Members] Email "inventor" claimant to run for U.S. Senate -- alternative facts about technology and democracy collide That's very interesting, Bill. Thank you for passing this along. I will look more into Snyder. The SPARK aspect sounds fascinating, given how much governors and gubernatorial candidates over the past fifteen years have linked themselves to "high tech" innovation and job growth. That he called himself a tough nerd is fascinating. Gateway is definitely a name with "Tech" connotations for much of America -- I remember in the 90s and early 2000s when you would see cow-patterned boxes littering my small town streets on trash days. This gets at an interesting aspect of the computer industry -- when is a figure a "tech" person, and when just a "business" person? The way John Sculley from Pepsi is slotted into the Steve Jobs/Apple narrative suggests there is a difference. A figure like Ross Perot seemed to straddle the difference when he sold himself as a businessman and a technologist when running for president. Thanks, Andrew -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Andrew Meade McGee Corcoran Department of History University of Virginia PO Box 400180 - Nau Hall Charlottesville, VA 22904 On Sat, Feb 25, 2017 at 11:34 AM, McMillan, William W <william.mcmillan@cuaa.edu <mailto:william.mcmillan@cuaa.edu> > wrote: The governor of Michigan is Rick Snyder, formerly the CEO and Chairman of Gateway Inc., a maker of personal computers and other electronic products (Gateway was acquired by Acer). The governorship is Snyder's first elective position. He also chaired Ann Arbor SPARK, a tech-heavy economic development organization Though Snyder refers to himself as "one tough nerd," I think it's fair to say that he's not a technical person (other than in law and accounting). He's more a business leader and investment expert, so maybe not the kind of example you're looking for, Andrew. - Bill ________________________________ From: Members [members-bounces@lists.sigcis.org <mailto:members-bounces@lists.sigcis.org> ] on behalf of Andrew Meade McGee [amm5ae@virginia.edu <mailto:amm5ae@virginia.edu> ] Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2017 10:41 AM To: members@sigcis.org <mailto:members@sigcis.org> Subject: Re: [SIGCIS-Members] Email "inventor" claimant to run for U.S. Senate -- alternative facts about technology and democracy collide As a follow up to Ayyadurai's candidacy -- have there been any previous instances of people who identify with the software industry running for major political office in the United states or internationally? --Andrew -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Andrew Meade McGee Corcoran Department of History University of Virginia PO Box 400180 - Nau Hall Charlottesville, VA 22904 On Sat, Feb 25, 2017 at 10:37 AM, Andrew Meade McGee <amm5ae@virginia.edu <mailto:amm5ae@virginia.edu> <mailto:amm5ae@virginia.edu <mailto:amm5ae@virginia.edu> >> wrote: Continuing with the ongoing saga of V. A. Shiva and his claims regarding the invention of e-mail, that gentleman has just announced his candidacy for the United States Senate. https://twitter.com/va_shiva/status/835420061993218048 As several SIGCIS contributors noted earlier this month, this nicely parallels the upcoming SHOT themes of technology and democracy. "Alternate facts" about the history of technology will play a major public element of this campaign next year. --Andrew

...

a name that also pops up in connection with Ayyadurai's announcement is Jeff Giesea, a venture capitalist and "executive coach"

Whoa. I used to work for Jeff. He founded a (real) tech news site called Fierce Markets in 2001. Hired me in 2004; I stayed until 2006. He sold it in 2009. We never talked politics though. ------------------------- Evan Koblentz, director Vintage Computer Federation A 501(c)3 educational non-profit Evan@vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation

Someone a few emails back mentioned Suzan DelBene here in Washington State. There are and have been quite a few ex-Microsoft folks who've run for office at various levels, including city councils and the state legislature. One of our US Senators, Maria Cantwell, was with RealNetworks for some time - although as VP of Marketing, not an engineering role. Darcy Burner, another former Microsoft marketing person, unsuccessfully ran twice against Dave Reichert for his seat in the US Congress, lost to DelBene for the newly formed First Congressional District and lost a bid to represent the Fifth Legislative District in the Washington State House. Tina Podlodowski, ex-Microsoft, is now the chair of the Washington State Democratic Party, and served on the Seattle City Council for a single term. Eric Oemig, again ex-Microsoft in a 'performance manager' role, served in the Washington State Senate for a single term. Toby Nixon served in the Washington State House and is now a City Councilman for the City of Kirkland. Laura Ruderman, an administrative assistant from Microsoft (in my product group), served a single term in the House, as well. (Ruderman billed herself as a 'former Microsoft manager' when in fact she briefly held the title of Program Manager, had no engineering responsibilities and had only two direct reports, both of them temporary employees.) I suspect that one reason we have a significant number of ex-Microsoft types here is that they have the money - the majority of the ex-Microsoft crowd partially or completely funded their own campaigns. But the majority of them worked in non-technical roles. -- Ian On Sun, Feb 26, 2017 at 7:17 AM, Julie Cohn <cohnconnor@comcast.net> wrote:

Tangentially related to this discussion, some of you may already be familiar with a new PAC called 314 Action - focused on promoting fact-based policies and the candidacies of individuals coming out of the STEM professions:

http://www.314action.org/home

-Julie

***************************** Julie Cohn, Ph.D. Research Historian Center for Public History University of Houston 315 McElhinney Hall Houston, TX 77204-3007 cohnconnor@comcast.net

On Feb 25, 2017, at 4:34 PM, Evan Koblentz <evan@vcfed.org> wrote:

...

...

a name that also pops up in connection with Ayyadurai's announcement is Jeff Giesea, a venture capitalist and "executive coach"

Whoa. I used to work for Jeff. He founded a (real) tech news site called Fierce Markets in 2001. Hired me in 2004; I stayed until 2006. He sold it in 2009. We never talked politics though. ------------------------- Evan Koblentz, director Vintage Computer Federation A 501(c)3 educational non-profit

Evan@vcfed.org (646) 546-9999

www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation _______________________________________________ This email is relayed from members at sigcis.org, the email discussion list of SHOT SIGCIS. Opinions expressed here are those of the member posting and are not reviewed, edited, or endorsed by SIGCIS. The list archives are at http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ and you can change your subscription options at http://lists.sigcis.org/ listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org

_______________________________________________ This email is relayed from members at sigcis.org, the email discussion list of SHOT SIGCIS. Opinions expressed here are those of the member posting and are not reviewed, edited, or endorsed by SIGCIS. The list archives are at http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ and you can change your subscription options at http://lists.sigcis.org/ listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org

-- Ian S. King, MSIS, MSCS, Ph.D. Candidate The Information School <http://ischool.uw.edu> Dissertation: "Why the Conversation Mattered: Constructing a Sociotechnical Narrative Through a Design Lens Archivist, Voices From the Rwanda Tribunal <http://tribunalvoices.org> Value Sensitive Design Research Lab <http://vsdesign.org> University of Washington There is an old Vulcan saying: "Only Nixon could go to China."

Andrew made this comment: "This gets at an interesting aspect of the computer industry -- when is a figure a "tech" person, and when just a "business" person? The way John Sculley from Pepsi is slotted into the Steve Jobs/Apple narrative suggests there is a difference. A figure like Ross Perot seemed to straddle the difference when he sold himself as a businessman and a technologist when running for president. " It is key. I would further add to the mix the fact that the technologist billionaire class is highly influential on US and world policy to a profound degree, while not ever having been elected by the people - I suppose unless you happen to be a shareholder. I look forward to talking about these issues with all of you at the meeting. I would, again, be interested in gathering with others to have a conversation on the specifics of this new candidacy (Tom has provided some...disturbing information, if true as reported), and on Silicon Valley political power, in general. If you're interested, please let me know. --Sarah --- S a r a h T. R o b e r t s, P h. D. Assistant Professor University of California, Los Angeles Department of Information Studies Graduate School of Education & Information Studies https://is.gseis.ucla.edu/ Blogging periodically at http://illusionofvolition.com

On Feb 25, 2017, at 10:30 AM, Thomas Haigh <thomas.haigh@gmail.com> wrote:

This gets at an interesting aspect of the computer industry -- when is a figure a "tech" person, and when just a "business" person? The way John Sculley from Pepsi is slotted into the Steve Jobs/Apple narrative suggests there is a difference. A figure like Ross Perot seemed to straddle the difference when he sold himself as a businessman and a technologist when running for president.

Frank Lautenberg, Senator from New Jersey, was CEO of ADP. And of course there was Ross Perot. Sent from my iPhone On Feb 25, 2017, at 9:41 AM, Deborah Douglas <ddouglas@mit.edu<mailto:ddouglas@mit.edu>> wrote: Depending on how liberal a definition of software industry one uses, another example is: Tom Massie, now a Representative from Kentucky, invented PHANTOM while at MIT (he won the Lemelson Student Prize for this) and founded SensAbleTechnologies. http://lemelson.mit.edu/winners/thomas-massie http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2012/05/17/from-mit-entrepreneur-to-tea-party-... http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2012/11/meet-representative-thomas-massie-con... https://massie.house.gov/about Debbie Douglas On Feb 25, 2017, at 10:41 AM, Andrew Meade McGee <amm5ae@virginia.edu<mailto:amm5ae@virginia.edu>> wrote: As a follow up to Ayyadurai's candidacy -- have there been any previous instances of people who identify with the software industry running for major political office in the United states or internationally? --Andrew -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Andrew Meade McGee Corcoran Department of History University of Virginia PO Box 400180 - Nau Hall Charlottesville, VA 22904 On Sat, Feb 25, 2017 at 10:37 AM, Andrew Meade McGee <amm5ae@virginia.edu<mailto:amm5ae@virginia.edu>> wrote: Continuing with the ongoing saga of V. A. Shiva and his claims regarding the invention of e-mail, that gentleman has just announced his candidacy for the United States Senate. https://twitter.com/va_shiva/status/835420061993218048 As several SIGCIS contributors noted earlier this month, this nicely parallels the upcoming SHOT themes of technology and democracy. "Alternate facts" about the history of technology will play a major public element of this campaign next year. --Andrew _______________________________________________ This email is relayed from members at sigcis.org<http://sigcis.org>, the email discussion list of SHOT SIGCIS. Opinions expressed here are those of the member posting and are not reviewed, edited, or endorsed by SIGCIS. The list archives are at http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ and you can change your subscription options at http://lists.sigcis.org/listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org Deborah G. Douglas, Ph.D. • Director of Collections and Curator of Science and Technology, MIT Museum • Room N51-209 • 265 Massachusetts Avenue • Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 • ddouglas@mit.edu<mailto:ddouglas@mit.edu> • 617-253-1766 telephone • 617-253-8994 facsimile • http://web.mit.edu/museum • http://museum.mit.edu/150 _______________________________________________ This email is relayed from members at sigcis.org<http://sigcis.org>, the email discussion list of SHOT SIGCIS. Opinions expressed here are those of the member posting and are not reviewed, edited, or endorsed by SIGCIS. The list archives are at http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ and you can change your subscription options at http://lists.sigcis.org/listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org

Thanks for this suggestion, Debbie. I will look into this Massie fellow with great interest -- it would be fascinating to see how a technology background would shape an incredibly retail politics level of campaigning like for the House. Thanks, Andrew -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Andrew Meade McGee Corcoran Department of History University of Virginia PO Box 400180 - Nau Hall Charlottesville, VA 22904 On Sat, Feb 25, 2017 at 11:41 AM, Deborah Douglas <ddouglas@mit.edu> wrote:

Depending on how liberal a definition of software industry one uses, another example is:

Tom Massie, now a Representative from Kentucky, invented PHANTOM while at MIT (he won the Lemelson Student Prize for this) and founded SensAbleTechnologies.

http://lemelson.mit.edu/winners/thomas-massie http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2012/05/17/from-mit- entrepreneur-to-tea-party-leader-the-thomas-massie-story/ http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2012/11/meet-representative-thomas-massie- constitutional-conservative-mit-pedigree https://massie.house.gov/about

Debbie Douglas

On Feb 25, 2017, at 10:41 AM, Andrew Meade McGee <amm5ae@virginia.edu> wrote:

As a follow up to Ayyadurai's candidacy -- have there been any previous instances of people who identify with the software industry running for major political office in the United states or internationally?

--Andrew

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Andrew Meade McGee Corcoran Department of History University of Virginia PO Box 400180 - Nau Hall Charlottesville, VA 22904

On Sat, Feb 25, 2017 at 10:37 AM, Andrew Meade McGee <amm5ae@virginia.edu> wrote:

...

Continuing with the ongoing saga of V. A. Shiva and his claims regarding the invention of e-mail, that gentleman has just announced his candidacy for the United States Senate.

https://twitter.com/va_shiva/status/835420061993218048

As several SIGCIS contributors noted earlier this month, this nicely parallels the upcoming SHOT themes of technology and democracy. "Alternate facts" about the history of technology will play a major public element of this campaign next year.

--Andrew

_______________________________________________ This email is relayed from members at sigcis.org, the email discussion list of SHOT SIGCIS. Opinions expressed here are those of the member posting and are not reviewed, edited, or endorsed by SIGCIS. The list archives are at http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ and you can change your subscription options at http://lists.sigcis.org/ listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org

Deborah G. Douglas, Ph.D. • Director of Collections and Curator of Science and Technology, MIT Museum • Room N51-209 • 265 Massachusetts Avenue • Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 • ddouglas@mit.edu • 617-253-1766 <(617)%20253-1766> telephone • 617-253-8994 <(617)%20253-8994> facsimile • http://web.mit.edu/museum • http://museum.mit.edu/150

All the examples so far are people from the business side. Not many true techies get into politics. Google search for "emgineers in Congress" returns a few. Not sure of the accuracy but I've read that Lincoln was the only president -- then or since -- to hold a U.S. patent. ------------------------- Evan Koblentz, director Vintage Computer Federation A 501(c)3 educational non-profit Evan@vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation

Thanks for those reminders, Sarah. The way that in both instances tech business backgrounds proved the basis of their candidacies is fascinating. It will be interesting to see how the media covers (and hopefully dissects) Ayyadurai's claims now that he has thrown his hat into the ring of public scrutiny. I may have to forward some of Tom H.'s pieces to political journalists in the Bay State. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Andrew Meade McGee Corcoran Department of History University of Virginia PO Box 400180 - Nau Hall Charlottesville, VA 22904 On Sat, Feb 25, 2017 at 12:26 PM, Sarah T. Roberts <sarah.roberts@ucla.edu> wrote:

- Carly Fiorina, folks. She just spoke at CPAC.

- Meg Whitman, eBay. Lost CA gubernatorial election.

Both Republicans. Both lost (obviously).

Any chance we could discuss this Ayyadurai matter at the meeting next month?

Guy's playing the long game, obviously.

With thanks, Sarah ---

S a r a h T. R o b e r t s, P h. D.

Assistant Professor University of California, Los Angeles Department of Information Studies Graduate School of Education & Information Studies https://is.gseis.ucla.edu/

Blogging periodically at http://illusionofvolition.com

On Feb 25, 2017, at 9:18 AM, Andrew Meade McGee <amm5ae@virginia.edu> wrote:

Thanks for this suggestion, Debbie. I will look into this Massie fellow with great interest -- it would be fascinating to see how a technology background would shape an incredibly retail politics level of campaigning like for the House.

Thanks, Andrew

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Andrew Meade McGee Corcoran Department of History University of Virginia PO Box 400180 - Nau Hall Charlottesville, VA 22904

On Sat, Feb 25, 2017 at 11:41 AM, Deborah Douglas <ddouglas@mit.edu> wrote:

...

Depending on how liberal a definition of software industry one uses, another example is:

Tom Massie, now a Representative from Kentucky, invented PHANTOM while at MIT (he won the Lemelson Student Prize for this) and founded SensAbleTechnologies.

http://lemelson.mit.edu/winners/thomas-massie http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2012/05/17/from-mit-entreprene ur-to-tea-party-leader-the-thomas-massie-story/ http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2012/11/meet-representative- thomas-massie-constitutional-conservative-mit-pedigree https://massie.house.gov/about

Debbie Douglas

On Feb 25, 2017, at 10:41 AM, Andrew Meade McGee <amm5ae@virginia.edu> wrote:

As a follow up to Ayyadurai's candidacy -- have there been any previous instances of people who identify with the software industry running for major political office in the United states or internationally?

--Andrew

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Andrew Meade McGee Corcoran Department of History University of Virginia PO Box 400180 - Nau Hall Charlottesville, VA 22904

On Sat, Feb 25, 2017 at 10:37 AM, Andrew Meade McGee <amm5ae@virginia.edu

...

wrote:

...

Continuing with the ongoing saga of V. A. Shiva and his claims regarding the invention of e-mail, that gentleman has just announced his candidacy for the United States Senate.

https://twitter.com/va_shiva/status/835420061993218048

As several SIGCIS contributors noted earlier this month, this nicely parallels the upcoming SHOT themes of technology and democracy. "Alternate facts" about the history of technology will play a major public element of this campaign next year.

--Andrew

_______________________________________________ This email is relayed from members at sigcis.org, the email discussion list of SHOT SIGCIS. Opinions expressed here are those of the member posting and are not reviewed, edited, or endorsed by SIGCIS. The list archives are at http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ and you can change your subscription options at http://lists.sigcis.org/listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org

Deborah G. Douglas, Ph.D. • Director of Collections and Curator of Science and Technology, MIT Museum • Room N51-209 • 265 Massachusetts Avenue • Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 • ddouglas@mit.edu • 617-253-1766 <(617)%20253-1766> telephone • 617-253-8994 <(617)%20253-8994> facsimile • http://web.mit.edu/museum • http://museum.mit.edu/150

_______________________________________________ This email is relayed from members at sigcis.org, the email discussion list of SHOT SIGCIS. Opinions expressed here are those of the member posting and are not reviewed, edited, or endorsed by SIGCIS. The list archives are at http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ and you can change your subscription options at http://lists.sigcis.org/ listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org

It’s a “late entry” but I would include Ed Zschau as a techie who later ran for the House of Representatives and won; later for the Senate and narrowly lost; and later as VP  for a third party From: Members <members-bounces@lists.sigcis.org> on behalf of "NOVEMBER, JOSEPH" <NOVEMBER@mailbox.sc.edu> Date: Saturday, February 25, 2017 at 10:40 AM To: "Sarah T. Roberts" <sarah.roberts@ucla.edu>, Andrew Meade McGee <amm5ae@virginia.edu> Cc: "members@sigcis.org" <members@sigcis.org> Subject: Re: [SIGCIS-Members] Email "inventor" claimant to run for U.S. Senate -- alternative facts about technology and democracy collide I wonder if "former video game developer" Curt Schilling is still planning to run against Warren. Would Schilling and Ayyadurai face each other in a primary race? Joe Joseph November Associate Professor and McCausland Fellow Department of History University of South Carolina 223 Gambrell Hall Columbia, SC 29208 november@sc.edu From: Members [members-bounces@lists.sigcis.org] on behalf of Sarah T. Roberts [sarah.roberts@ucla.edu] Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2017 12:26 PM To: Andrew Meade McGee Cc: members@sigcis.org Subject: Re: [SIGCIS-Members] Email "inventor" claimant to run for U.S. Senate -- alternative facts about technology and democracy collide - Carly Fiorina, folks. She just spoke at CPAC. - Meg Whitman, eBay. Lost CA gubernatorial election. Both Republicans. Both lost (obviously). Any chance we could discuss this Ayyadurai matter at the meeting next month? Guy's playing the long game, obviously. With thanks, Sarah --- S a r a h T. R o b e r t s, P h. D. Assistant Professor University of California, Los Angeles Department of Information Studies Graduate School of Education & Information Studies https://is.gseis.ucla.edu/ Blogging periodically at http://illusionofvolition.com On Feb 25, 2017, at 9:18 AM, Andrew Meade McGee <amm5ae@virginia.edu> wrote: Thanks for this suggestion, Debbie. I will look into this Massie fellow with great interest -- it would be fascinating to see how a technology background would shape an incredibly retail politics level of campaigning like for the House. Thanks, Andrew -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Andrew Meade McGee Corcoran Department of History University of Virginia PO Box 400180 - Nau Hall Charlottesville, VA 22904 On Sat, Feb 25, 2017 at 11:41 AM, Deborah Douglas <ddouglas@mit.edu> wrote: Depending on how liberal a definition of software industry one uses, another example is: Tom Massie, now a Representative from Kentucky, invented PHANTOM while at MIT (he won the Lemelson Student Prize for this) and founded SensAbleTechnologies. http://lemelson.mit.edu/winners/thomas-massie http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2012/05/17/from-mit-entrepreneur-to-tea-party-... http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2012/11/meet-representative-thomas-massie-con... https://massie.house.gov/about Debbie Douglas On Feb 25, 2017, at 10:41 AM, Andrew Meade McGee <amm5ae@virginia.edu> wrote: As a follow up to Ayyadurai's candidacy -- have there been any previous instances of people who identify with the software industry running for major political office in the United states or internationally? --Andrew -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Andrew Meade McGee Corcoran Department of History University of Virginia PO Box 400180 - Nau Hall Charlottesville, VA 22904 On Sat, Feb 25, 2017 at 10:37 AM, Andrew Meade McGee <amm5ae@virginia.edu> wrote: Continuing with the ongoing saga of V. A. Shiva and his claims regarding the invention of e-mail, that gentleman has just announced his candidacy for the United States Senate. https://twitter.com/va_shiva/status/835420061993218048 As several SIGCIS contributors noted earlier this month, this nicely parallels the upcoming SHOT themes of technology and democracy. "Alternate facts" about the history of technology will play a major public element of this campaign next year. --Andrew _______________________________________________ This email is relayed from members at sigcis.org, the email discussion list of SHOT SIGCIS. Opinions expressed here are those of the member posting and are not reviewed, edited, or endorsed by SIGCIS. The list archives are at http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ and you can change your subscription options at http://lists.sigcis.org/listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org Deborah G. Douglas, Ph.D. • Director of Collections and Curator of Science and Technology, MIT Museum • Room N51-209 • 265 Massachusetts Avenue • Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 • ddouglas@mit.edu • 617-253-1766 telephone • 617-253-8994 facsimile • http://web.mit.edu/museum • http://museum.mit.edu/150 _______________________________________________ This email is relayed from members at sigcis.org, the email discussion list of SHOT SIGCIS. Opinions expressed here are those of the member posting and are not reviewed, edited, or endorsed by SIGCIS. The list archives are at http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ and you can change your subscription options at http://lists.sigcis.org/listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org _______________________________________________ This email is relayed from members at sigcis.org, the email discussion list of SHOT SIGCIS. Opinions expressed here are those of the member posting and are not reviewed, edited, or endorsed by SIGCIS. The list archives are at http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ and you can change your subscription options at http://lists.sigcis.org/listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org

Thanks a lot, Luke, for these interesting observations. Two things come to my mind: 1) "that tools are more important than politics; they eventually morph into code and then into law." looks like a good expression of technical determinism. It fits with the now widespread belief that "Law must adapt to Technology". 2) I don't know it is relevant to your query on the civic orientation of engineers, but years ago we had a good doctoral dissertation defended at the Sorbonne about Engineers in French Parliament since the mid-XIXth century. It revealed that Engineers had been most present in the French Parliament during the 2nd Empire (Napoleon III, 1852-1870), an authoritarian regime which favored the creation of technical schools, the development of railways and telegraph, and the industrial revolution in general. Engineers in this context had considerable leeway to push their agenda. Their number decreased sharply during the following 3rd Republic, which was ruled mainly by lawyers, local notabilities and professors. Best, Pierre Mounier-Kuhn PS : Sorry not to be able to join you all at the SHOT & SIGCIS meetings next month: We are opening a Turing exhibition at the new Museum of Computing, in Namur (Belgium) – a must-see for SIGCIS members travelling in Europe, by the way. CNRS & Université Paris-Sorbonne https://cnrs.academia.edu/PierreMounierKuhn http://www.centrerolandmousnier.fr/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/CV-de-Pierre-M... http://koyre.ehess.fr/docannexe/file/2183/mounier_kuhn_cv_anglais_2016.compr... De: "Luke Fernandez" <luke.fernandez@gmail.com> À: "Chuck House" <housec1839@gmail.com> Cc: "members" <members@sigcis.org> Envoyé: Lundi 18 Septembre 2017 23:13:31 Objet: Re: [SIGCIS-Members] Email "inventor" claimant to run for U.S. Senate -- alternative facts about technology and democracy collide The parallel question, of course, is *why* are there so few software engineers in politics? The flip answer is that standing up in front of a crowd is many engineer's personal version of hell. Below though, are two observations by silicon valley pundits that might also explain why engineers often avoid the hustings:

From [ https://youtu.be/B5kQYWLtW3Y | https://youtu.be/B5kQYWLtW3Y ] (A Panel Discussion on "From Counterculture to Cyberculture: The Legacy of the Whole Earth Catalog"):

Fred Turner: Minute 17:15 You talk in the [Whole Earth] catalog about it being a place where people can get access to tools can you say a bit about what tools meant, what access meant in that time period? Stewart Brand: I was in the thrall of Buckminster Fuller who pretty much put out the idea that it's no use trying to change human nature, it's been the same for a long time and if you want to change behaviour don't try to change human nature don't bother with politics go after the tools tools make new practices and better tools make better practices. Kevin Kelly: I don't want to jump ahead but I think that point is fundamental; the tool view of the world; that tools are more important than politics; they eventually morph into code and then into law. I think that strand -- the way to change science, to change culture, to change politics is through the tools -- is one of those overarching connections between the hippies and Web 2.0. And, across the bay in Berkeley here's Lanier's take on it (from You Are Not A Gadget): BQ_BEGIN Technologists don't use persuasion to influence you -- or, at least, we don't do it very well. There are a few master communicators among us (like Steve Jobs), but for the most part we aren't particularly seductive.....We tinker with your philosophy by direct manipulation of your cognitive experience, not indirectly, through argument. BQ_END Of course, the above are just a couple of juicy introductions to a question that has a whole array of interesting answers. Since I'm about to teach a module on the civic orientation of engineers I'm curious how have other SIGCIS members introduced this question to students? Best, Luke [ http://lfernandez.org/ | lfernandez.org ] On Mon, Sep 18, 2017 at 11:59 AM, Chuck House < [ mailto:housec1839@gmail.com | housec1839@gmail.com ] > wrote: BQ_BEGIN It’s a “late entry” but I would include Ed Zschau as a techie who later ran for the House of Representatives and won; later for the Senate and narrowly lost; and later as VP for a third party From: Members < [ mailto:members-bounces@lists.sigcis.org | members-bounces@lists.sigcis.org ] > on behalf of "NOVEMBER, JOSEPH" < [ mailto:NOVEMBER@mailbox.sc.edu | NOVEMBER@mailbox.sc.edu ] > Date: Saturday, February 25, 2017 at 10:40 AM To: "Sarah T. Roberts" < [ mailto:sarah.roberts@ucla.edu | sarah.roberts@ucla.edu ] >, Andrew Meade McGee < [ mailto:amm5ae@virginia.edu | amm5ae@virginia.edu ] > Cc: " [ mailto:members@sigcis.org | members@sigcis.org ] " < [ mailto:members@sigcis.org | members@sigcis.org ] > Subject: Re: [SIGCIS-Members] Email "inventor" claimant to run for U.S. Senate -- alternative facts about technology and democracy collide I wonder if "former video game developer" Curt Schilling is still planning to run against Warren. Would Schilling and Ayyadurai face each other in a primary race? Joe Joseph November Associate Professor and McCausland Fellow Department of History University of South Carolina 223 Gambrell Hall Columbia, SC 29208 [ mailto:november@sc.edu | november@sc.edu ] From: Members [ [ mailto:members-bounces@lists.sigcis.org | members-bounces@lists.sigcis.org ] ] on behalf of Sarah T. Roberts [ [ mailto:sarah.roberts@ucla.edu | sarah.roberts@ucla.edu ] ] Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2017 12:26 PM To: Andrew Meade McGee Cc: [ mailto:members@sigcis.org | members@sigcis.org ] Subject: Re: [SIGCIS-Members] Email "inventor" claimant to run for U.S. Senate -- alternative facts about technology and democracy collide - Carly Fiorina, folks. She just spoke at CPAC. - Meg Whitman, eBay. Lost CA gubernatorial election. Both Republicans. Both lost (obviously). Any chance we could discuss this Ayyadurai matter at the meeting next month? Guy's playing the long game, obviously. With thanks, Sarah --- S a r a h T. R o b e r t s, P h. D. Assistant Professor University of California, Los Angeles Department of Information Studies Graduate School of Education & Information Studies [ https://is.gseis.ucla.edu/ | https://is.gseis.ucla.edu/ ] Blogging periodically at [ http://illusionofvolition.com/ | http://illusionofvolition.com ] On Feb 25, 2017, at 9:18 AM, Andrew Meade McGee < [ mailto:amm5ae@virginia.edu | amm5ae@virginia.edu ] > wrote: BQ_BEGIN Thanks for this suggestion, Debbie. I will look into this Massie fellow with great interest -- it would be fascinating to see how a technology background would shape an incredibly retail politics level of campaigning like for the House. Thanks, Andrew -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Andrew Meade McGee Corcoran Department of History University of Virginia PO Box 400180 - Nau Hall Charlottesville, VA 22904 On Sat, Feb 25, 2017 at 11:41 AM, Deborah Douglas < [ mailto:ddouglas@mit.edu | ddouglas@mit.edu ] > wrote: BQ_BEGIN Depending on how liberal a definition of software industry one uses, another example is: Tom Massie, now a Representative from Kentucky, invented PHANTOM while at MIT (he won the Lemelson Student Prize for this) and founded SensAbleTechnologies. [ http://lemelson.mit.edu/winners/thomas-massie | http://lemelson.mit.edu/winners/thomas-massie ] [ http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2012/05/17/from-mit-entrepreneur-to-tea-party-... | http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2012/05/17/from-mit-entrepreneur-to-tea-party-... ] [ http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2012/11/meet-representative-thomas-massie-con... | http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2012/11/meet-representative-thomas-massie-con... ] [ https://massie.house.gov/about | https://massie.house.gov/about ] Debbie Douglas On Feb 25, 2017, at 10:41 AM, Andrew Meade McGee < [ mailto:amm5ae@virginia.edu | amm5ae@virginia.edu ] > wrote: BQ_BEGIN As a follow up to Ayyadurai's candidacy -- have there been any previous instances of people who identify with the software industry running for major political office in the United states or internationally? BQ_END BQ_END BQ_END BQ_BEGIN BQ_BEGIN BQ_BEGIN --Andrew -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Andrew Meade McGee Corcoran Department of History University of Virginia PO Box 400180 - Nau Hall Charlottesville, VA 22904 On Sat, Feb 25, 2017 at 10:37 AM, Andrew Meade McGee < [ mailto:amm5ae@virginia.edu | amm5ae@virginia.edu ] > wrote: BQ_BEGIN Continuing with the ongoing saga of V. A. Shiva and his claims regarding the invention of e-mail, that gentleman has just announced his candidacy for the United States Senate. [ https://twitter.com/va_shiva/status/835420061993218048 | https://twitter.com/va_shiva/status/835420061993218048 ] As several SIGCIS contributors noted earlier this month, this nicely parallels the upcoming SHOT themes of technology and democracy. "Alternate facts" about the history of technology will play a major public element of this campaign next year. --Andrew BQ_END _______________________________________________ This email is relayed from members at [ http://sigcis.org/ | sigcis.org ] , the email discussion list of SHOT SIGCIS. Opinions expressed here are those of the member posting and are not reviewed, edited, or endorsed by SIGCIS. The list archives are at [ http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ | http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ ] and you can change your subscription options at [ http://lists.sigcis.org/listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org | http://lists.sigcis.org/listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org ] BQ_END Deborah G. Douglas, Ph.D. • Director of Collections and Curator of Science and Technology, MIT Museum • Room N51-209 • 265 Massachusetts Avenue • Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 • [ mailto:ddouglas@mit.edu | ddouglas@mit.edu ] • [ tel:(617)%20253-1766 | 617-253-1766 ] telephone • [ tel:(617)%20253-8994 | 617-253-8994 ] facsimile • [ http://web.mit.edu/museum | http://web.mit.edu/museum ] • [ http://museum.mit.edu/150 | http://museum.mit.edu/150 ] BQ_END BQ_END BQ_BEGIN _______________________________________________ This email is relayed from members at [ http://sigcis.org/ | sigcis.org ] , the email discussion list of SHOT SIGCIS. Opinions expressed here are those of the member posting and are not reviewed, edited, or endorsed by SIGCIS. The list archives are at [ http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ | http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ ] and you can change your subscription options at [ http://lists.sigcis.org/listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org | http://lists.sigcis.org/listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org ] BQ_END _______________________________________________ This email is relayed from members at [ http://sigcis.org/ | sigcis.org ] , the email discussion list of SHOT SIGCIS. Opinions expressed here are those of the member posting and are not reviewed, edited, or endorsed by SIGCIS. The list archives are at [ http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ | http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ ] and you can change your subscription options at [ http://lists.sigcis.org/listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org | http://lists.sigcis.org/listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org ] _______________________________________________ This email is relayed from members at [ http://sigcis.org/ | sigcis.org ] , the email discussion list of SHOT SIGCIS. Opinions expressed here are those of the member posting and are not reviewed, edited, or endorsed by SIGCIS. The list archives are at [ http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ | http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ ] and you can change your subscription options at [ http://lists.sigcis.org/listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org | http://lists.sigcis.org/listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org ] BQ_END _______________________________________________ This email is relayed from members at sigcis.org, the email discussion list of SHOT SIGCIS. Opinions expressed here are those of the member posting and are not reviewed, edited, or endorsed by SIGCIS. The list archives are at http://lists.sigcis.org/pipermail/members-sigcis.org/ and you can change your subscription options at http://lists.sigcis.org/listinfo.cgi/members-sigcis.org