Columnist: Slap Beta Tag on New Laws

Should the implementation of legislation be handled similarly to the release of software or a website?

An article in the latest issue of Wired suggests that new laws be rolled out in beta form in order to limit the “cost of failure” while granting an ability for fine tuning before a final release.

Aza Raskin, the article’s author and the head of user experience at Mozilla Labs, explained the impetus behind his innovative idea:

The start-up world is ruled by the mantra "Release early, release often". We embrace the uncertainty of the unpredictable wants, whims, and whimsy of the people that ultimately determine the success of our products. No amount of market research or focus groups give you the insight gained by simply releasing your product.

He continued:

In both software and hardware, we allow time for iteration because we know we will get it wrong. We should give our government the leeway to do the same for laws and social policy.

Raskin then proclaims World of Warcraft creator Blizzard as the best practitioners of “highly-iterated, fully-tested public policy,” and added, perhaps tongue in cheek, that if they (Blizzard) ran for office, they would get his vote.