[NA-Discuss] [At-Large] FW: Informationonrespectful communication

[Garth Graham]

In general, I consider postings to lists that merely say "me too!" to  
be abusive of privilege.  I say that to underline the strength of the  
"ditto" I'd like to add to Dharma Dailey's points below.

Yes, because of the importance of understanding how the issues of  
Internet Governance emerge into public policy, I'm still lurking on  
the ALAC, NARALO and IGC lists.  I do this in spite of the degree to  
which they often degenerate into "process" instant messaging systems  
to support those able to participate in the face-to-face interaction  
provided by their attendance at ICANN and IGF meetings.  But, after  
shepherding Telecommunities Canada's elevation to the higher realms  
of ALS, and thus catalysing to some degree the formation of the  
NARALO,  and after the experience of hosting an ALAC "outreach"  
meeting at TC's expense, I consciously drew back from active  
participation.  I acted, and with some success, but rated the cost as  
much too high for me to keep pushing.  I still believe there is a  
"payoff" for both ICANN and TC from TC participation.  TC is one of  
the few "open" vehicles in Canada for sharing experience of the  
impact of Internet use on community development.  It's a counter- 
balancing voice needs to be at the table.  But, personally, this kid  
isn't going to touch that hot stove more than once.

I'm going to end by noting what you already know.  There is an  
enormous gap between the realities of daily life online and ICANN's  
highly technical agendas.  Correct action for an ALAC in the longer  
term, whatever that might be, is probably in the gap and not at the  
end points.

GG

On 29-Oct-07, at 8:20 PM, Dharma Dailey wrote:

> Therefore, if there is value to
> recruiting "people like me" into the ICANN process, the structure
> leaves little incentive for me to be involved because 1) the
> structure doesn't allow much lateral interaction  2) I'm not learning
> much about how ICANN policies affect the issues I care about  3) It's
> not fun to participate.   In short, there is no payoff.