Re: [ga] Maintenance and Management of the GA

[George Kirikos <gkirikos@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hello,

> At this point, IMO, the burden of proof resides on those
> wanting to
> self-organize.  This can be done via a private list
> unaffiliated with
> ICANN. I don't think ICANN should be seen as blessing such
> an effort
> because having the list hosted by ICANN would appear to
> give it a
> stature that it in fact does not have, i.e., would in
> effect continue
> the current situation we already have.

That would be a loss, in my opinion (but would serve the interests of those 
staff who don't care the public), because this list has been the "canary in the 
coal mine" on many serious issues in the past, like the WLS debate, SiteFinder, 
the entire issue of tiered pricing, as just a few examples. That's I think one 
of the reasons people still lurk. Others do it for the "entertainment factor" 
as you suggested, but often the "colosseum" at least in the past, has served a 
great purpose:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladiator#Outline_of_the_games

"The amphitheatre was the one place in which the execution of justice was 
uniquely visible to all classes, and in which all classes were mutually 
visible.....In the encircling stands, crowd and editor could assess each others 
character and temperament, and freely express their mutual pleasure or 
displeasure – for most spectators, a unique opportunity (theatralis licentia). 
Petitions could be submitted to the editor (as magistrate) in full view of the 
community. Factiones and claques could vent their spleen on each other, and 
occasionally on Emperors."

has allowed the champions/gladiators of each side to vigorously debate various 
issues. If one reads the GNSO council mailing list, that doesn't really happen 
much over there. And often workgroup mailing lists are very dead.

I recall the days when I could email Vint, and he'd reply back 10 minutes later 
(that's how we realized the flaws in the biz/info/org contracts). The Board 
responded (sometimes in the background) since some of them read this list. 

If Beckstrom wants to apply the principles of his book to ICANN:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Starfish_and_the_Spider

perhaps he can step up with some suggestions (no, I've not read it). Wikipedia 
likely doesn't tell folks to "buzz off, create your own list" as an example (or 
maybe they do, I don't have an account with them). Some minimum 
"infrastructure" is provided within the "ecosystem." Same with eBay, etc. 

Sincerely,

George Kirikos
http://www.leap.com/