Re: [ga] Esther Dyson..... - a modest clarification

[Esther Dyson <edyson@edventure.com>]

To quote the Register more fully:

"We want public input into ICANN", she said. "We've got a mechanism where 
it can have a seat on the task forces, liaisons to working groups, be part 
of the policy making process - I see that in many ways as more important 
than having a seat on the board."

That part in fact is accurate (though I couldn't swear to it word for 
word).  I do in fact believe this.  The ability to have input *when policy 
is made* - rather than later when it is voted on by the board - is very 
important, I believe.  The board's votes are usually fairly general; all 
the details and nuances happen in the implementation, either in the 
policies that are put *to* the board, or the ones that are created 
afterwards at its direction.  (PS- This is not new, from me, anyway.)  I 
think it's fair to say that much of what distresses people about ICANN is 
not the board votes, but how they are implemented.

Having seats on the board is *also* a good thing, to be sure, and one that 
matters, but a few seats on the board would probably make less difference 
than some active involvement in committee work.

Note: I did not say "in all ways."  nor did I say "meaningless input" (as 
in the ICANNwatch headline). The kind of input I mean is input that has an 
impact, because it is delivered by credible individuals making good points 
in the face-to-face conversations where policy details and compromises are 
hammered out.

What I *did* say was more focused on the importance of fixing ICANN rather 
than abandoning it, and some of the difficulties of doing so.  (plus some 
history!)

Esther



At 05:06 PM 2/8/2003, Michael Froomkin - U.Miami School of Law wrote:
>Meanwhile, corrections to
>http://www.icannwatch.org/article.pl?sid=03/02/06/2324259&mode=nested
>would be welcomed -- that quote didn't sound like you...
>
>On Sat, 8 Feb 2003, Esther Dyson wrote:
>
> >
> > Two:  Don't believe everything you read. What I actually said was quite
> > different, and not that new.  Please do read Oxford's precis of the
> > conference when it is posted.  Or you can read what I wrote for the Wall
>
>--
>                 Please visit http://www.icannwatch.org
>A. Michael Froomkin   |    Professor of Law    |   froomkin@law.tm
>U. Miami School of Law, P.O. Box 248087, Coral Gables, FL 33124 USA
>+1 (305) 284-4285  |  +1 (305) 284-6506 (fax)  |  http://www.law.tm
>                         -->It's warm here.<--



Esther Dyson                    Always make new mistakes!
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