Between the editors

Abstract

This chapter contains a crossing of swords and thoughts between the editors, who come from different disciplinary backgrounds and different philosophical traditions, but nevertheless occupy much common ground. The conversation is too short to enable the cutting edge of Occam’s razor (pun intended), but refers to other work with more extensive argumentation. We agree on a great deal. In particular, we share a precautionary approach that requires proactive consideration of how one’s experimental business models or progressive politics may impact others. However, as the reader will see, at that point we part company! The ensuing dialogue has been illuminating for us, and hopefully will whet the reader’s appetite for the excellent chapters that follow. Topics discussed are: the Onlife world; legal protection by design; data, knowledge and information; affordances; the digital unconscious; the mode of existence of modern positive law; conservatism and the quest to preserve plurality and natality.