[governance] Internet - whether to regulate it or not

[Barry Shein]

If we just equate funding with funding then, sure, one can make the
argument that with few exceptions people are funded to participate by
some method, often other than their own pocket.

I don't know IGF, never been to a meeting. Been to quite a few ICANN
meetings however. I think it's safe to say many on this list know me,
in some cases quite well and for many years, decades even.

My take is that this is a misleading equation.

By and large ICANN meetings (and processes) are heavily dominated by
people representing organizations (companies) with a vested interest
in the outcome.

Specifically registries, registrars, and people who make their living
from the same such as the various lawyers and consultants.

To my observation I don't see how you avoid this in a so-called
multi-stakeholder model. ICANN certainly hasn't, quite the opposite.

Almost the entire working agenda seems to be dominated by
registry/registrar issues. To the point that even sessions etc which
might on first glance appear to be focused on other issues in fact are
dominated by registry/registrar issues.

For example as an ISP I would drop in on the single ISP session to
find they are primarily (that's a nice way of saying "only") talking
about issues such as website take-downs for trademark/copyright
violations. That does affect them but for example what about the
IPv4/IPv6 transition?  Or network neutrality? Or policy issues
relating to CGN? Security and integrity issues? I don't think I've
ever seen more than a momentary nod to any of those topics. One
meeting in Brussels was completely taken up by how to fill in the new
travel expense forms, or at least I left after 45 minutes of the hour
devoted to that topic since I don't get travel expenses.

Yes there are a few activities which are exceptions and no doubt in a
defensive context they would be marched out much like the tardy
drunken husband showing he did in fact pick up milk & eggs as
promised.

I really don't get this "multi-stakeholder" model and don't see how it
can lead to anything but what I describe.

I'm sure this won't make me popular in some circles but at some point
someone has to ask whether they are hallucinating or is the emperor in
fact naked?


-- 
        -Barry Shein

The World              | bzs at TheWorld.com           | http://www.TheWorld.com
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