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ICANN is just a symptom and manifestation of a
greater fascism. It is very sad. There is so much prospect and opportunity, so
much potential for real outreach to others and meaningful participation. Instead
of which we have - the need to control, the need to hold onto power, the fear of
open dialogue, the fear of open process and debate.
What an extraordinary thing - in a world which
desperately needs communication and reconciliation - that this great instrument
of communicating has become the domain and fiefdom of a small group of insiders,
fallen under the control of a small sect acting on behalf of more powerful
people, with little transparency, unresponsive to outside concerns and advice,
creating facades of participation but expelling the real advocates of
involvement from its Board.
In truth - this ICANN quango is a profound
disappointment. It could do so much to involve thousands of people from hundreds
of countries. It could open up its processes. It could engage. It could
*network*.
Instead of which, all it really seeks to do is
"retain control". That is what ICANN is for. It was created by USG for that
purpose.
There is such a paucity of vision, such a lack of
imagination, such a subordination and subservience to a greater authority.
Meanwhile, the individuals, the fellow human beings, the ordinary internet
users, are locked out. Marginalised.
As Eric points out in his thought-provoking
analogy, it is exactly this marginalising of others' interests which creates the
seeds of terror.
ICANN is part of a culture and mentality which
seems unable to see over the horizons of its own beleaguered
stockades.
There is a whole world and humanity beyond - but
ICANN's community seems stuck in the past, unwilling to open up and allow
democratic participation and the inspirational dialogue and critique that comes
from involvement and open debate.
There is a whole world and humanity beyond - and
ICANN should be FOR the People, and OF the People - it should and could be
the inspirational advocate of individual involvement, of the People's Net, and
it should reach out by opening its own processes to transparent dialogue and
democratic representation.
There is a whole world and humanity beyond - and if
ICANN does not evolve it will become a relic, something routed round, or
overlaid... something that could have been...
so much better!
"Where there is no vision, the People
perish!"
Yrs,
Richard Henderson
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