Economic necessity argument
Modern economies require the use of at least some devices and technologies - such as mobile phones - that open up a world of information, so such technologies promote freedom.


Eric Schmidt video slice from 15:30 to 16:25 of the original.

Schmidt here makes the point that a modern dictatorship could possibly run without the internet, but not without other devices that open up a world of information such as mobile phones.

Elsewhere in this debate Schmidt challenges an analogy with radio in the 1930s, which was harnessed by tyrants, by pointing out that unlike radio the internet is not a command-and-control technology. But is this true of the devices - like mobile phones - that he says can be dispensed with. Wu challenges this view in an opposing argument added here.

There is at least a potential inconsistency between Schmidt's invocation of the mobile phone in his economic necessity argument and his rebuttal of the claim the internet is like radio. An Inconsistency cross-link has been added to express this.
Immediately related elementsHow this works
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Technology: Oppressor or liberator? »Technology: Oppressor or liberator?
Does the internet favor dictators or dissenters? »Does the internet favor dictators or dissenters?
Optimistic view »Optimistic view
Economic necessity argument
Phones are C&C »Phones are C&C
Internet not like radio »Internet not like radio
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