Re: [ICANN-EU] Increasing representativeness

["Constantine S. Chassapis" <cschassapis@acm.org>]

Dear Thomas,


> > Lets find an intelligence and fair way to self-organize in a
> > level a little bit higher than a mail-list.
> 
> I'm absolutely not convinced that this would be the right way to go.
> 


How one can draw mass-media attention and coverage through
an e-mail list. If you have the naswer, then, we should immediately
apply it in respect to this wonderful email list that you maintain.


> > For example 1, a think-tank may be formed, but a little more
> > organized than a simple mail-list, maybe some intelligent
> > technology is needed or some intelligent people, where the
> > discussions will be more organized, presented threaded,
> > interlinked, maybe a search engine, maybe a specialized site for
> > the group.
> 
> Mh...  Did yo look at this list's archive site?  It's threaded, a
> search engine could easily be added.  (Personally, I tend to prefer
> local mail archives, and use my mail user agent's abilities to
> browse the archive.  However, YMMV.)


Threads are good but don't help always. If you can add some
software that could for example answer questions of the type:
"+Roessler +(ideas|opinions) -attacks" I would be glad. Hey,
what YMMV means?


> 
> > Maybe some external people will be invited to express ideas,
> > people from academia, or industry. 
> 
> This certainly sounds reasonable.
> 
> > The people in this body, I call it "eubody", I imagine they will
> > work a little more through their answers or their questions, they
> > will have the time to work some material during for example the
> > week-ends, nobody will press someother for answer, there will be
> > no elections. 
> 
> Which of these points can't be guaranteed on a mailing list?


ok, you are correct on this!


> 
> > Some intelligent organizational scheme is needed, some bylaws
> > will guarantee that we will be self-protected from governmental,
> > industrial or other hidden influence, , ... ok, I stop now.
> 
> You're running into a trap, here, I believe.
> 
> What you are calling "high-level organization" involves considerable
> transaction costs, and structure.  This implies that funding is
> needed, which may in turn lead to dependencies and influence from
> funding parties.  On the other hand, using ressources readily
> available without explicit costs, and keeping structure as simple as
> possible would avoid such hidden influences to a large extent
> without adding the complexity of explicit bylaws and the like.


Yes, but if you need media coverage, you need something more.

Another thing. If a rich man comes, and says, I donate you that
amount of money, under no obligation, but to promote your
ideas and to get self-organized. Should we say no? 


> 
> > For example 2, a european group that may even publish a magazine.
> 
> Magazines require work.  Who's going to do it?
> 
> > Then maybe a book. Then maybe, with support from enough members,
> > we may even become a respectable pressure group. If you have a
> > respectable number of people from all over europe, not only
> > mass-media will get interested, but also, we will have rights
> > related to the european uinon.
> 
> Good point.  However, I'm not sure if a formal pressure group could
> reach as far as a "community-building" effort could.  With a formal
> pressure group, possibly involving a certain amount of power and
> influence on others' decisions, members will have to ask themselves
> whether or not they want to support the direction in which this
> influence is exercised.


Are you afraid to exercise influence if you are capable of doing
it?


> 
> On the other hand, an informal community can easily accomodate very
> rough consensus-building models, minority opinions, and whatnot.  I
> believe this would be more fruitful, and is closer to what we really
> need today.


OK. and next? I mean, when our brilliand ideas arrive at a point
of equilibrium after a lot of boilling, where they will land? How we
will spread the word?


> 
> > For example 3, Greece is a good place for summer vacations, maybe
> > we may organize an open forum each year in some Island of Greece.
> > Maybe we may even invite some rock or jazz groups, and do
> > something of a happening. You know, that, among other things,
> > draws publicity.
> 
> There are other nice places in Europe, too. ,-)


Of course!


> 
> However, physical meetings lead to expenses, effort, and the need
> for funding, with all the disadvantages I talked about above.


Yes, in matters of financing it has always been very hard for me
to balance your rightful attacks!

Sincerely,
Constantine Chassapis