Meet the Guy (Actually) Passing Tech Laws

Okay, so most people

think

that tech should be more regulated than it is.

I think that's like a general consensus.

The people that try... to regulate tech oftentimes are kind of pessimistic about being able to do it well.

And there's kind of a feeling that like, it's so important.

And also we couldn't possibly do it in a way that doesn't lead to all kinds of secondary effects that are bad and more harmful than not doing anything at all.

You like pass laws regularly as part of your work.

And I feel like you're kind of like lapping this community of people that is talking about doing regulation.

And that's one of the reasons I want to talk to you.

But also what you're doing is not just tech laws.

So I don't know if you want to take us through a couple of examples that you have successfully passed laws recently, but I think it's kind of

cool.

Yeah.

I mean, I think... let me just start by saying that that pessimism is earned.

There's a reason why people don't think it's possible because it often fails.

Right.

But the problem is, is like, there's a self-fulfilling prophecy there, which is like, you look at the a hundred thousand bills that Congress introduces and you look at the 1000 that become law and you're like, Oh wait, they're all post office renamings.

And there's a part of you that says, well, This isn't going to happen.

Like, all we're going to do is introduce a bill.

Right.

If you're using a bill, it's hard.

It's like, that's all we're going to do.

And you get sort of a learned helplessness from that.

Right.

Okay, so most people

think

that tech should be more regulated than it is.

I think that's like a general consensus.

The people that try... to regulate tech oftentimes are kind of pessimistic about being able to do it well.

And there's kind of a feeling that like, it's so important.

And also we couldn't possibly do it in a way that doesn't lead to all kinds of secondary effects that are bad and more harmful than not doing anything at all.

You like pass laws regularly as part of your work.

And I feel like you're kind of like lapping this community of people that is talking about doing regulation.

And that's one of the reasons I want to talk to you.

But also what you're doing is not just tech laws.

So I don't know if you want to take us through a couple of examples that you have successfully passed laws recently, but I think it's kind of

cool.

Yeah.

I mean, I think... let me just start by saying that that pessimism is earned.

There's a reason why people don't think it's possible because it often fails.

Right.

But the problem is, is like, there's a self-fulfilling prophecy there, which is like, you look at the a hundred thousand bills that Congress introduces and you look at the 1000 that become law and you're like, Oh wait, they're all post office renamings.

And there's a part of you that says, well, This isn't going to happen.

Like, all we're going to do is introduce a bill.

Right.

If you're using a bill, it's hard.

It's like, that's all we're going to do.

And you get sort of a learned helplessness from that.

Right.