R: [governance] Nobel Prize for The Internet
Brett Solomon
brett at accessnow.org
Thu Sep 16 08:02:02 EDT 2010
Hi,
Good discussion!
If you look at the manifesto put forward by the proposers (
internetforpeace.org) it's pretty clear that the award is not for the
infrastructure or the person, but for the global web of users:
*We have finally realized that the Internet* is much more than a network of
computers. It is an endless web of people. Men and women from every corner
of the globe are connecting to one another, thanks to the biggest social
interface ever known to humanity.
Digital culture has laid the foundations for a new kind of society. And this
society is advancing dialogue, debate and consensus through communication.
Because democracy has always flourished where there is openness, acceptance,
discussion and participation. And contact with others has always been the
most effective antidote against hatred and conflict. That's why the Internet
is a tool for peace. That's why anyone who uses it can sow the seeds of
non-violence. And that's why the next *Nobel Peace Prize should go to the
Net. A Nobel for each and every one of us.*
I understand that people who would then receive the award would be the
'founders' of the internet including Vint Cerf, Tim Berners-Lee and a few
others on 'our' behalf.
On balance, I would argue that many of the key drivers of conflict have been
weakened as a result of the internet. Whilst it is used for violent or
aggressive purposes, the internet has contributed significantly to the
'fraternity between nations' (peace prize criteria), to create political
stability, to protect and promote human rights and to allow for cross border
relationships.
I dont feel overly strongly about this, but it is certainly a discussion
starter, and waves the flag for the power of the internet to achieve peace
and understanding, and serves as a warning that an open internet is worth
fighting for.
Brett
On Thu, Sep 16, 2010 at 2:26 PM, Jeanette Hofmann <jeanette at wzb.eu> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I realize I could have said a word more or two to explain why I don't
> support the nobel prize suggestion. One of the reasons has been brought up
> several times. The Internet is not a human being and therefore the wrong
> entity to receive this prize. The second reason is that the Internet is
> clearly collective achievement that can hardly be attributed to a single
> person. It would not be the first time that an individual gets honored for
> the achievements of a group of people. However, I don't understand why we
> would support such a practice.
>
> I apologize for my blunt statement last night. I probably thought somebody
> should better say no to this idea before it has a chance to catch on.
>
> jeanette
>
>
> On 16.09.2010 10:41, Avri Doria wrote:
>
>> hi,
>>
>> I initially read it that way and though that Internet related sciences
>> might be an interesting category. Not sure what the right name for the
>> category would be.
>>
>> then i realized that this is probably not what the original sender meant.
>>
>> so I thought of the Internet in its role of bringing people together and
>> fostering community and making the world much smaller and enabling an access
>> to knowledge that was unthinkable for most of world history. I was not sure
>> that this was enough to merit a Nobel prize yet because there was still so
>> much to do and still so may warts on the Internet that needed to be fixed.
>> but Obama got the prize for peace making before he had done anything, so I
>> figured that maybe the Internet and the multitude of people who invested
>> their lives into building this thing we all depend on (whether we curse it
>> out or bless it), deserved it more than he did at the time. but i was still
>> not convinced.
>>
>> then i saw the messages of this list and got very afraid of having an
>> opinion on the topic.
>>
>> so please forget i said anything.
>>
>> a.
>>
>>
>>
>> On 16 Sep 2010, at 12:29, shaila mistry wrote:
>>
>> Hi all
>>> I saw it very differently. I saw the Internet as anothe category. Such as
>>> literature and science. Etc. In this context the Nobel prize would still be
>>> given to an individual. For their exceptional contributions in the field.
>>>
>>> In a skeptical note , when I look at some tecie
>>>
>>> From: Benedek, Wolfgang (wolfgang.benedek at uni-graz.at)<
>>> wolfgang.benedek at uni-graz.at>;
>>> To: governance at lists.cpsr.org<governance at lists.cpsr.org>; parminder<
>>> parminder at itforchange.net>;
>>> Subject: Re: R: [governance] Nobel Prize for The Internet
>>> Sent: Thu, Sep 16, 2010 1:49:49 AM
>>>
>>> May I endorse the thoughts of Parminder, I do not see what can really be
>>> gained by the nobel prize for the internet, different from giving it to
>>> UNHCR, AI etc to point out their good work as a model for humanity and
>>> support their concerns.
>>>
>>> Wolfgang Benedek
>>>
>>>
>>> Am 16.09.10 10:17 schrieb "parminder" unter<parminder at itforchange.net>:
>>>
>>> I am sorry, but I hate to give human status to any artifact.... even the
>>> Internet... And Nobel prize is for human beings, maybe the best among them
>>> or whatever..... Next we may hear is that 'the Internet has rights'..... not
>>> at all going in good directions if you ask me :)
>>>
>>> (At a recent conf i was given this T shirt - dont think what the Internet
>>> can do you you - think what you can do to the Internet -- this kind of
>>> expressions almost scare me, and make me feel belittled as a human being in
>>> front of a 'system'... Well if we are insistent on going down that path then
>>> lets give noble prize to the 'system' instead, the all powerful one)
>>>
>>> parmindr
>>>
>>> On Thursday 16 September 2010 01:26 PM, Fiorello Cortiana wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> We have to be pragmatic, the Nobel Prize to the net could be useful to
>>> recognize it as a commons, the wider public space in the human history,
>>> not
>>> a new infrastructure after telegraph, telephon, radio, television and
>>> PC. This is why we need an extension of the rights in
>>> a new way: multilevel and multistakeholder. I know what I say under
>>> Berlusconi's Government the freedom of expression on the net is in
>>> peril.
>>> With Stefano Rodotà and many other we gathered 400.000 signatures under
>>> an
>>> appeal against an awful proposal of law and this time we won. Ready to
>>> the next one :)
>>>
>>> Fiorello
>>>
>>> -----Messaggio originale-----
>>> Da: Carlos A. Afonso [mailto:ca at cafonso.ca]
>>> Inviato: giovedì 16 settembre 2010 9.30
>>> A: governance at lists.cpsr.org; Jeanette Hofmann
>>> Cc: Shahzad Ahmad
>>> Oggetto: Re: [governance] Nobel Prize for The Internet
>>>
>>> I of course agree with Jean, although perhaps I would not phrase it as
>>> bluntly :)
>>>
>>> --c.a.
>>>
>>> On 09/15/2010 07:20 PM, Jeanette Hofmann wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I think this is a real rubbish idea and I am very much against sending
>>> any message to that effect.
>>> jeanette
>>>
>>> On 15.09.2010 16:05, Shahzad Ahmad wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I suggest that one of CS representative strongly raise the support
>>> for the Nobel Prize for the Internet either in the closing session or
>>> in regular interventions in the plenary. It will be good if IGF sends
>>> a strong message out on this.
>>>
>>> Best wishes and regards
>>>
>>> Shahzad
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
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> ____________________________________________________________
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--
Brett Solomon
Executive Director
Access
accessnow.org
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