[ExI] remote embassies

[William Flynn Wallace]

On Fri, Oct 23, 2015 at 5:04 PM, Anders Sandberg <anders at aleph.se> wrote:

> On 2015-10-23 21:35, spike wrote:
>
>
>
> As I read over some of the transcripts of the congressional hearings about
> the attack on the US embassy in Libya, a big question keeps coming to mind:
> why do we need ambassadors?
>
> Ever tried to get a US visa or citizenship?
>
> The US insists on people physically showing up for interviews in order to
> prove that they are the people they claim to be, to have biometrics taken,
> and respond to questions without coaching.
>
> Of course, embassies do much more. The Vienna Convention states:
>
> The functions of a diplomatic mission consist, inter alia, in representing
> the sending State in the receiving State; protecting in the receiving State
> the interests of the sending State and of its nationals, within the limits
> permitted by international law; negotiating with the Government of the
> receiving State; ascertaining by all lawful means conditions and
> developments in the receiving State, and reporting thereon to the
> Government of the sending State; promoting friendly relations between the
> sending State and the receiving State, and developing their economic,
> cultural and scientific relations.
>
> Note the clause about protecting nationals within international law,
> ascertaining and reporting on what is going on, as well as promoting
> relations. Many embassies are nexuses of social activity of expats and
> business.
>
> Sure, one could do this without a central office. But economies of scale
> (and defence) apply.
>
>
> --
> Dr Anders Sandberg
> Future of Humanity Institute
> Oxford Martin School
> Oxford University
>
> ​Why don't companies do selling and negotiations, and any other business
> by video conferences​
> ​? Why must we fill the airplanes with business people?  One reason is to
> make things personal (huge reason).  Another is to be able to read
> emotional expressions and body language of your potential customers etc.
> (also a biggie).
>

​bill wallace​


> ​
>
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