[governance] Google's Fight the ITU/WCIT website

[Fahd A. Batayneh]

I think this is where Internet Diplomacy comes in hand.

Fahd

On Sat, Nov 24, 2012 at 2:36 PM, michael gurstein <gurstein at gmail.com>wrote:

> I think there is a need for some multi-cultural balance here... think
> about the shouting "fire" in the crowded cinema restriction on "free
> speech"... that is, these things are contextual and while "fire" may be an
> outer limit of what is (free speech) acceptable in one context, it may be
> something different in another cultural context and given that we are
> engaged in a necessarily multicultural context we need to find some balance
> between contending forces/freedoms... I'm not sure quite how to do that but
> I know for sure that trying to impose one set of restrictions (or absence
> of restrictions) unilaterally across cultures is not the way to go.
>
> All that being said, Sala is trying to find that middle ground, perhaps
> with only human limitations as to a deep knowledge of the various cultural
> contexts from which we all spring.
>
> So, rather than criticizing her well meant efforts we might identify what
> the limits are or should be in our particular multicultural space and
> recognize that she has the unenviable task of riding herd on stampedes
> running in multiple directions at the same time some of which unfortunately
> may be wandering over a cliff or potentially causing damage to one or
> another of our fellows.
>
> And certainly pointing us back to the already in place rules of procedure
> as McTim has done is one very useful way to proceed.
>
> M
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: governance-request at lists.igcaucus.org [mailto:
> governance-request at lists.igcaucus.org] On Behalf Of Karl Auerbach
> Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2012 12:40 AM
> To: governance at lists.igcaucus.org
> Subject: Re: [governance] Google's Fight the ITU/WCIT website
>
> On 11/22/2012 08:02 AM, Salanieta T. Tamanikaiwaimaro wrote:
> > Dear Suresh,
> >
> > Please refrain from using words like "Nazi" on this list. Dialogue on
> > any of the Internet Governance issues and topics. This discussion has
> > escalated off the relevant issues. Any more warnings and I will remove
> > you from the list. Let this serve as a reminder to all to keep the
> > discussions on Internet Governance issues.
>
> Really?  What about words like "Taliban" or "Klu Klux Klan" that describe
> groups with similar characteristics or goals?
>
> During the late 1930's and early 1940's many of my family members and
> people bearing my family name suddenly vanished in the areas that are now
> Poland, Ukraine, and Germany.  The evidence suggests that they died
> - were murdered - at the hands of the group that, by your rule, shall not
> be named.
>
> So I figure that I have a rather strong right to object to the word in
> question.
>
> Yet I refuse to object to that word when it is used to describe a regime
> or mode of thinking.
>
> I do, however, object to censorship.
>
> Censorship comes in many colors.
>
> One color is the kind of censorship in which those of delicate
> sensibilities try to insert a gag into the mouths of those with more robust
> vocabularies.
>
> In my nearly two decades of wandering through the world of internet
> governance I have seen this form of censorship taking root.
>
> We Americans tend to use words as hard as canon balls - it is our culture.
>  We are often rather proud of it.
>
> There are other cultures on this planet that use softer tones and greater
> indirection.
>
> Neither form is superior to the other - these are simply differences.
>
> Those of us from strong-word cultures do need to respect those who speak
> more softly or deferentially.  I, as is the case with many Americans, have
> not always carried my responsibility in that regard.  Hopefully, in time we
> will learn.
>
> However, the road runs both ways.  Those from cultures with softer modes
> of expression ought not to use their values as reasons to suppress those of
> us who chose more colored modes.
>
>         --karl--
>
>
>
>
>
>
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