What is a browser? « More shameless remarks by Larko

What is a browser?

Saturday, June 30, 2007 at 17:09 | In Germany, computer, internet | Leave a Comment

The German public television ARD had a video in their breakfast show the other day with children interviewing politicians about their use of computer and the Internet. It turned out that the politicians have less than satisfying knowledge in the IT area. One of the child reporters is captured in a moment of frustration wispering to her fellow reporter that they had better skip the rest of their questions since the politician does not seem to be at home using his computer.

Another politician was asked by the kids to name a couple of browsers. She did not manage the task. She returned a question: “What is a browser?”

Medienrauschen blog writes (via Schott’s Blog) that when you are dealing with legislation about such topics as governmental trojans, software patents and hacker statutes, it would obviously be unreasonable to demand politicians to have such expert knowledge as knowing what a browser is. I absolutely agree. Politicians are better off not understanding the issues they are asked to decide. Otherwise they might rebel against the party whip.