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

[Gene Marsh <marshm@anycast.net>]

Esther,

I believe there is more angst about how ICANN reached its "consensus" 
during policy creation.  The input stream is largely seen as pouring water 
into sand, while the board accepts policies for vote based on apparent fiat 
or influenced views.

Gene...

-----Original Message-----
From:	Esther Dyson [SMTP:edyson@edventure.com]
Sent:	Sunday, February 09, 2003 8:09 PM
To:	Michael Froomkin - U.Miami School of Law
Cc:	ga@dnso.org
Subject:	Re: [ga] Esther Dyson..... - a modest clarification

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.<--



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