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<div class="moz-cite-prefix">On Saturday 27 January 2018 01:09 PM,
Ian Peter wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:27CEA0ED6B2D454086C10E46227C5BED@LAPTOP93L8QKEK">Well
worth a read. After a few paragraphs dealing with other
substantive issues, Soros hones in on the monopolistic powers of
Google and Facebook and the threats they pose. He doesn't mince
words</blockquote>
<br>
Yes, he doesn't mince words, but unfortunately those who need to be
the real watchdogs, the sectoral or IG civil society, does.... and
that is the biggest problem... There is big funding in CS from the
same monopolistic powers, and revolving doors with them too... And
if one speaks up, there are enough direct and subtle ways to shut
her/him up... Hope one day the IG CS will really look back upon
itself, introspect and begin doing what its legitimate role is...
Ian, as a respected IG CS elder, I'd invite you to begin this
exercise, and many of us will cooperate all we can...<br>
<br>
In the below quote from Soros's speech, he compares digital
monopolies with oil companies -- but lets ask ourselves, can in the
environment (or any other social) movement the civil society have
the same cosy relationship as the IG CS has with these exploitative
digital companies.... But that precise question is most
unmentionable, even when everyone knows it is just about emperor's
clothes that everyone really knows fully well about, and the
corridors are agog with whispers. There could even be repercussions
on me for saying this again -- I am already imagining some. .... <br>
<br>
<font size="-2">QUOTE<br>
</font>
<blockquote><font size="-2"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);
font-family: chaparral-pro, Georgia, serif; font-size: 24px;
font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal;
font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing:
normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;
text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2;
word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;
background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style:
initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline
!important; float: none;">Companies earn their profits by
exploiting their environment. Mining and oil companies exploit
the physical environment; social media companies exploit the
social environment. This is particularly nefarious because
social media companies influence how people think and behave
without them even being aware of it. This has far-reaching
adverse consequences on the functioning of democracy,
particularly on the integrity of elections.</span></font><br>
<br>
QUOTE ENDS<br>
</blockquote>
And then he says;<br>
<blockquote><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family:
chaparral-pro, Georgia, serif; font-size: 24px; font-style:
normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps:
normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2;
text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none;
white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;
-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255,
255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color:
initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">They claim
they are merely distributing information. But the fact that they
are near- monopoly distributors makes them public utilities and
should subject them to more stringent regulations, aimed at
preserving competition, innovation, and fair and open universal
access.</span><br>
</blockquote>
<br>
QUOTE ENDS<br>
<br>
Well, it so happens that Just Net Coalition said the same thing
exactly 4 years back, in its <a
href="https://justnetcoalition.org/delhi-declaration">founding
principles</a> .... But the dominant CS was all tch tch . (No
matter that most progressive groups from most other areas of global
CS joined in.... ) They wont touch that kind of thing with a barge
pole.... Most did not collaborate, and till today JNC, while it does
a lot of work, it is all voluntary, and with not a single paisa of
funding .... This is "structure" my dear....<br>
<br>
And hold on, JNC also seem not been able to get even one guy into
IGF MAG, even when one or more have always been forwarded as a
nominee for CSCG. Often JNC nominee is the only one refused.. Bad
guys JNC folks are, right! And then people will clap at Soros's bold
speech ,and then conveniently go back to their works... <br>
<br>
Sorry for the cynicism, my critique is also entirely structural,
merrily and happily made, and no personal offence to anyone
please....<br>
<br>
parminder
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:27CEA0ED6B2D454086C10E46227C5BED@LAPTOP93L8QKEK"> - and
he doesn't underestimate the societal impacts of what is going on.
<br>
<br>
Ian Peter
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.georgesoros.com/2018/01/25/remarks-delivered-at-the-world-economic-forum/">https://www.georgesoros.com/2018/01/25/remarks-delivered-at-the-world-economic-forum/</a>
<br>
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</blockquote>
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