[governance] Another view on TLDs

[Karl Auerbach]

Norbert Bollow wrote:

> The difference is that while disagreements on issues like what kinds
> of content are morally acceptable or unacceptable for non-technical
> reasons don't cause technical problems for aircraft, such
> disagreements do cause technical problems for the internet.

I disagree.  The example you gave (.xxx) caused local cultural problems, 
not global technical problems.

And if we are intending to establish bodies to resolve that kind of 
cultural difference then we are not engaging in *internet* governance 
but, instead are establishing world governance (and also, as a second 
order effect, creating a subtle pressure pushing the internet to reflect 
only the lowest common denominator cultural values.)

You suggest that (in the case of .xxx) that the potential blocking of a 
TLD by some countries turns TLD semantics into a technical issue.  I 
find that rather a stretch of logic and would argue that such blocking 
is a local matter that should have no effect on global internet 
governance, just as international flight rules are not affected because 
some nations might deny landing rights to aircraft bearing tail logos 
they find offensive.

I would suggest that we take care to hew close to technology and be 
careful not to characterize social and economic matters as technological 
matters in order to slip them into the tent.  Otherwise there are few 
limits to what could be done under the heading *internet* governance. 
For example, perhaps France might ban a TLD for California winegrowers 
because some growers here use names that the French consider their own.

Let us leave local issues as local issues with local solutions.

And let us deal with those matters that cross borders only with regard 
to those aspects that have direct and compelling links to a technical 
foundation.

		--karl--
____________________________________________________________
You received this message as a subscriber on the list:
     governance at lists.cpsr.org
To be removed from the list, send any message to:
     governance-unsubscribe at lists.cpsr.org

For all list information and functions, see:
     http://lists.cpsr.org/lists/info/governance