Comments on: Why ICANN Nairobi may be a blessing in disguise

By: kierenmccarthy

kierenmccarthy — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 01:38:10 +0000

So, that's a "no", then. Please go bother other tin-foil-hat-wearing nuts.

By: Jim Fleming

Jim Fleming — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 19:22:31 +0000

1. ICANN is no longer part of any future plans. It is over.

2. If you want to steer the future, then you should contribute something.

3. With ICANN baggage, you could do great damage to the on-line eco-system.

By: ICANN Meeting Venue in Nairobi Faces Direct Threat [updated] | Domain News, Videos and Domain Blogs

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 04:31:02 +0000

[...] McCarthy thinks these challenges may be a blessing in disguise helping to increase the ability for remote participation. In a letter addressed to the Chairman and [...]

By: kierenmccarthy

kierenmccarthy — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 23:45:51 +0000

Hi Rafik, Wrt reducing the number of meetings - that is almost a separate issue to the geographic rotation of meetings. The reality is that ICANN as an organization cannot function efficiently with three large international public meetings. The time between meetings is not sufficient to make decent progress, and the time demands on a volunteer community mean that the model is skewed toward vested interests. It is a lose-lose for 90 percent of the Internet community. I agree that it would be ironic if remote participation were improved only through the interaction of those that need it least. But ultimately, who cares? So long as remote participation tools do not exclude the majority of people, I say take improvement no matter how it comes about. Re: civility - I noted in the Board minutes (section "i") that some consideration was given to the Ombudsman report on this important issue. That said, there was a worryingly vague resolution that the Board would "consider the other proposals by the Ombudsman" - rather than promise to act. As you probably know, I think civility (as well as various other cultural issues such as forcing people to stand at a public microphone and talk to a desk above them) is a crucial issue with effective participation in ICANN. And I hope that the silent majority will get together to develop some basic rules that they can then hold the minority accountable to.

By: Rafik

Rafik — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 23:15:52 +0000

About remote participation, it is really ironic that who will probably use it are those aren’t primarily targeted by those tools.
I want to say also that all those discussions are insulting and offending (that which need really the “civility” conduct ), sounds that all meeting in developing country is problematic for ICANN community, in fact it is just a small proof among many others showing the reluctance of many to do progress on the geographical diversity in ICANN.
I disagree about running events because practical point: they will be probably held on DC or LA and many people cannot go or even enjoy the treatment provided by TSA to list of “VIP” countries citizens.
it is not clear what you are advocating for reducing the number of meetings?

Rafik

By: kierenmccarthy

kierenmccarthy — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:32:35 +0000

Okay, Jim. So here is a link to The Plan film; here is a book written by Obama's chief of staff called The Plan which is for America; and here's another The Plan - this time for dealing with oil. Is it any of these plans? Or is there a different plan? If so, could you provide a link similar to the three above?

By: Jim Fleming

Jim Fleming — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 21:15:05 +0000

Is this Plan sufficiently robust to withstand a public airing?

Bit of a weird comment, Kieren. Not sure what you’re getting at.

The Plan has been public for a long long time and continues to
withstand the diversions and distractions and delays of devils.

By: ICANN Meeting Venue in Nairobi Faces Direct Threat | Domain News, Videos and Domain Blogs

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:48:58 +0000

[...] Kieren McCarthy things these challenges may be a blessing in disguise. [...]

By: kierenmccarthy

kierenmccarthy — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:35:08 +0000

Bit of a weird comment, Jim. Not sure what you're getting at. Is this Plan sufficiently robust to withstand a public airing? If so, I'd be happy to contribute to anything that helps to strengthen the Internet and allow its revolution in communications to continue unhindered for years to come.

By: Jim Fleming

Jim Fleming — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:28:42 +0000

Kieren,

You are young and eventually may learn (who knows?) that there
is A Plan. ICANN is no longer part of any future plans. You could
make millions writing about the past. Future generations could
benefit greatly from a detailed history, person by person and day
by day history of the ICANN era. It is over.

With all due respect, attempting to use journalistic editorials
to steer the future is hopeless. If you want to steer the future,
then you should contribute something. It helps to know [The
Plan] to contribute something that will be a benefit to people.

There was once a dream that an ICANN-like structure would
be 100% on-line with 3D, TV, etc. You are correct, all of the
technology is there. The culture will never be there. We could
debate for hours why it is really a bad idea to try to mix, merge
or converge the two cultures. You could do great damage to
the on-line eco-system doing that. Do you consider the damage
you could do?