[ga] CRAI MDR meeting

[Hugh Dierker <hdierker2204@xxxxxxxxx>]

Well I confirmed a few conceptions regarding this process in MDR.
 
"Staff" are very nice, seemingly professional and their only dilemmas faced are 
regarding how best to keep their jobs. If doing the right thing was ever 
remotely considered they hid it with the talent of a master spy. Honesty as 
opposed to diplomacy is clearly not in their lexicon. Again though they are 
very nice, bright and "helpful".
 
Those with an motivation to speak were so clearly self promoting that it could 
have been irritating if not so satirically humorous. I have neither read nor 
heard anyone whose interest in the process is "so it will work". It is all 
about who will benefit from doing it one way or the other. I know that a 
brainchild conceived in such an environment is destined to fail or do evil.
 
All this egotistical self interest is wonderful and why not? However doing the 
right thing for the sake of doing the right thing is further away from their 
reality than the onetime planet Pluto (which was discovered in my hometown of 
Flagstaff by Perciful Lowell -- actually he did not discover it so much as 
prove it's existence. Relevant because we will not discover societal best 
interest in ICANN but someone may surprise us and prove it exists) is from 
Earth.
 
I like those who propose that they speak with some kind of historical, 
intellectual and educational authority. Because you can immediately discount 
what they are trying to convince you of and instantaneously recognize their 
benefit if things go their way. 
 
Perhaps the system can change and develop processes that will combine to create 
consensus of what is right. But probably our only hope is if the people change. 
(however you chose to read that)
 
Eric