>Caitlin asked: > >However, isn't this a political discussion? > >The technical issues are whether you can have a single name >space without a single algorithm/authority for resolving >conflicts, and the mechanism(s) for distributing that >information. > >Debating the first point quickly resembles discussions of >square circles and perpetual motion machines. Everytime it >is pointed out that the lack of a single algorithm/authority >would mean that there was no longer a single name space the >topic shifts and has a tendency to focus on the *identity* >of those currently in charge of that namespace. > >All of which is irrelevant. > >I would suggest that those who believe ICANN is a problem >should spend their time writing their congressisonal >representatives. It is not a technical issue. Larry Lessig has shown his books Code and Other Laws of Cyberspace and in the Future of Ideas that you attempt to pretend that laws and politics and economics have no effect on technical issues at your peril. You may want to study your Lessig before you tell the rest of us to write our congress critters. But look, I can't impose ideas on anyone so I really don't wish to debate the issue. it quickly turns into way too much of a black hole for gobbling up time. After four years of observing ICANN I will say that we are now seeing sea change in the attitudes of many people who have long been willing to give ICANN the benefit of the doubt and now are no longer willing to do so. -- ======================================================== The COOK Report on Internet, 431 Greenway Ave, Ewing, NJ 08618 USA (609) 882-2572 (phone & fax) cook@cookreport.com Subscription info & prices at http://cookreport.com/subscriptions.shtml Summary of content for 10 years at http://cookreport.com/past_issues.shtml Here Comes Asset Based Telecom A 120 page - Aug Sept issue available at http://cookreport.com/11.05-6.shtml ========================================================