Watching the Digital Economy Bill 'debate'

[major_clanger]

Good grief. Not only has Tom Watson MP made what is probably the first use in Parliamentary debate of the word 'exabyte' but he's pretty much just invoked the Singularity as an argument against the DEB.

Oh, and now he's quoting Macauley!

Comments

[bibliogirl.livejournal.com]

Austin Mitchell apparently quoted Charles Stross earlier on...

[gmh.livejournal.com]

He did: read verbatim from Imbeciles.

[surliminal.livejournal.com]

yup followed by a ref to the long tail! thought Andres wd expire with delight!

[ciphergoth.livejournal.com]

I can find "exabyte" in Hansard, but not the Singularity?

[tregenza.livejournal.com]

My MP was noticeable for his absence in this debate.

Did this stage require an actual vote and is there any way of telling if my MP actually voted? I checked They Work For You but that had no indication a vote took place.

[major-clanger.livejournal.com]

I'm not an expert on Parliamentary procedure but I think what happens is that a vote only happens if someone formally objects to the motion to carry the Bill. Given that this involves a Division of the House, and that there was no doubt that the Government would have carried the motion, then given the sheer amount of business (I am amazed the debate actually went on for as long as it did - some five hours) I suspect that the LibDems decided it was not worth even making a show of opposing it. I look forward to hearing more analysis.

[covertmusic.livejournal.com]

Tom Watson is a sound bloke.