[governance] Internet as a commons/ public good

[Kerry Brown]

I've been watching this discussion develop with interest. I've been quiet so far because I wanted to see where it was going before speaking up. I think the attempt to define the Internet as anything more than a communications medium will be too limiting at some future date. I would prefer something very simple like:

"The Internet is a communications medium that allows communications between endpoints with all endpoints being equal in their potential to communicate with all other endpoints."

This does not limit any future changes to the way the communications happen or what is communicated. Trying to include content and purpose may at some point limit innovation. Defining the Internet this way doesn't exclude us from discussing content, commons vs. public good etc. It just ensures that the medium itself is separate from what the medium is used for. Both will change over time. If they are linked by definition it may stifle innovation.

Kerry Brown

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