[governance] URGENT: IGF Workshop Proposal on behalf of IGC

[George Sadowsky]

It seems to me that this global homogenisation was already pretty far along already based upon satellite television, movies (Hollywood), jet air travel and a variety of homogenisation factors.  All airports look pretty much alike to me.  McDonalds restaurants exist in every country I visit.  The stores in the GUM Department Store in Moscow are the same ones I find in most shopping malls in the United States.

If anything, the Internet allows a display of variety that physical "shelf space" (in a general sense) is not limited.  Cyberspace is nearly infinitely stretchable, and the search mechanisms for what you want are enormously better than in physical space.

I would turn the topic around  --  the preservation of diversity (and the need to nurture it) via the Internet, in contrast to existing forces for homogenisation.

George  



> On May 29, 2016, at 12:20 PM, Mueller, Milton L <milton at gatech.edu> wrote:
> 
> Arsene
> Here are some suggestions and comments:
>   <>
>           Erosion of identity or homogenisation by internet - IS it important? Should it be prevented? Can it be prevented? How?
>  
> MM: This idea needs better definition. What kind of identity are you talking about? Ethnic? Linguistic? National? Gender? I think the idea that global communication technologies “homogenize” culture is a long-running debate in the communication field, going back to the advent of satellites in the 1970s. it is clear that some smaller languages are declining, but Internet’s research and coordination capabilities often help to preserve them. The idea that technology would lead to a single, homogenized global culture has been completely discredited as far as I can see, but perhaps there are some people who still believe that. Generally, the homogenization charge comes from national elites whose monopoly control of state-based cultural institutions is threatened by the new technology. Many of the threats to minority identities come from these very same elites seeking to achieve a homogenized national culture.
>  
> However, in terms of the substantive issues it raises, this one is potentially the most interesting, if you can formulate some more specific questions you want to address. 
> 
> 
> -          A critical reflexion on the role of civil society in the Internet governance context
> 
> MM: another theme we have debated for a long time. I think you would need some more specific issues or questions you would want to discuss.
>  
> -         ICT for development: Harnessing the role of civil society for access, finance and knowledge city
>  
> MM: does “knowledge city” mean what we call “smart cities” here in the U.S.?  Those are interesting issues, and often intersect with what is called Internet of Things, but the linkage to _global_ internet governance is very weak. What would be the global angle on this topic?
> 
> 
> At this point, I am requesting members of the community to:
> -          Make comments on the suggested topics,
> -          Help agree on ONE topic (we will not wait for consensus but I just want to feel the room)
> -          Help rephrase or reorient (if appropriate) the wording on the chosen topics,
> 
> 
> After we agreed on the above, I will send another call for speakers, panelists, onsite/remote moderators, rapporteurs, etc. Please do get ready if you are planning to be in Mexico to be involved in this workshop in any form. We will need your expertise and experience to share during the workshop.
> 
> 
> Once this is done, then we will submit the workshop proposals to the IGF, using the online form at the IGF Website. Given the remaining time, we have less than 5 days to complete this so that by June 4th, we can submit the proposals for consideration to the IGC.
> 
> 
> I really count on your contributions within time so we can conclude this process.
> 
> 
> Regards,
> Arsene
> ------------------------------------------------------
> Arsène Tungali,
> IGC Co-Coordinator,
> Co-founder & Executive Director, Rudi International <http://www.rudiinternational.org/>
> Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/arsenebaguma> - Twitter <http://twitter.com/arsenebaguma> - LinkedIn <http://www.linkedin.com/pub/arsene-tungali/40/825/344/>
> Internet Governance - Blogger - ISOC Ambassador - ICANN Fellow - Child Online Protection Evangelist.
> Democratic Republic of Congo
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