The Race is not to the Swift

In the UK we agonise over any legislative changes. Two examples to follow.

The introduction of photo ID requirements in UK elections has been a subject of both support and controversy. Proponents argue that such measures are essential to safeguard the integrity of the voting process, preventing voter fraud and ensuring that only eligible individuals cast their ballots. They contend that photo ID is a common-sense requirement, similar to the need for identification in various other aspects of modern life.

However, critics raise concerns about potential disenfranchisement, particularly among marginalized communities. They argue that not everyone possesses a photo ID, and requiring one could disproportionately affect certain groups, such as the elderly, low-income individuals, and minorities. Critics also point out the limited evidence of in-person voter fraud, suggesting that the solution may be disproportionate to the problem it aims to address.

The introduction of photo ID in UK elections thus sparks a crucial debate between the principles of electoral integrity and ensuring equal access to the ballot box, underscoring the importance of striking the right balance to maintain trust in the democratic process.

Also in the UK a judge has come under scrutiny for using AI to summarise his ruling in a case about intellectual property law. He found it “jolly useful” and said it reflected his own opinion. It certainly saves time as the three paragraphs above attest; they were written by ChatGPT. A useful balanced summary – better than I could have written – but it does not tackle the issue. namely is it worth requiring photo ID to combat the very few instances of voter impersonation? I think not. It will discourage attendance at polling stations and lead to voters without photo ID being turned away. It is an unnecessary interference.

Another instance of tampering with the fragile web of our democracy is nesting bricks for swifts. I asked ChatGPT to “tell me about nesting bricks for swifts”.

Nesting bricks in Swift typically refers to the concept of creating data structures or collections where one data type is contained within another, creating a hierarchical or nested structure. Commonly used data structures for nesting bricks in Swift include arrays, dictionaries, and custom data types like structs and classes.

So I will have to tell you myself. Local authorities, there are 455 of them in England, have the power to make builders put nesting bricks into new houses. Only five have implemented this policy. It costs virtually nothing and will, hopefully, reverse the decline in the swift population coming to England during the summer – down about 60% since 1998. Incidentally these bricks may be used by house martins, great tits, house sparrows and starlings. Not sure I want to share my house with starlings but, not withstanding the murmuration I saw in Brighton, they are endangered.

Legislation is being drafted in the House of Lords, a body that has the time and appetite for such things, to make nesting bricks in new housing compulsory throughout England. Of course the devil is in the detail but it makes sense to me. “Laws are like cobwebs, which may catch small flies, but let wasps and hornets break through” (Jonathan Swift).