ICANN is the USSR of the internet - Karl Auerbach speaks out

[Sir Regalot]

It is amazing how much ICANN resembles the old USSR. ICANN is very much like central bureaucracy that is drawing up five year plans for the internet. And like the USSR that had a never ending problem with getting the right products to customers, ICANN has warped internet innovation in the domain name space with enough red tape to choke a Godzilla or two.


Full article at:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/04/24/icann_auerbach_interview_lisbon/

 

[JMJ]

A great read thanks for posting. While I've known all of what he said to be true as many have you don't see it written about in public places enough. If this was printed in every local newspaper people might understand whats really going on behind closed doors as far as the internet and even big business is concerned. There's a reason they broke up the monopoly of Bell long ago. Has anyone noticed what a monopoly AT&T has become lately? I don't think there's any coincidence the keywords 2000, USSR, Iraq, 5 year plans, .xxx and U.S. Gov were brought up in his writings.

 

[briman1970]

This needs to be stickied. What an excellent and informative article. ICANN is such a pile of dung.

 

[labrocca]

Did anyone else feel sick to their stomachs reading that?

Yes this should be a sticky till it's read by everyone.

ICANN needs to end. I am starting to think a world body taking ICANN over isn't such a bad idea at this point. Obviously the US government isn't controlling ICANN and when a top level insider makes these remarks you basically should start an investigation immediately from the senate level..immediately! ICANN has been allowed to become a governing body without checks and balances to the people it serves.

I really wonder how we can end this.

 

[briman1970]

Anyone else vote for this to be a sticky? ICANN needs some more (bad) exposure.

 

[seeker]

People always complain about the UN heading the Internet instead of ICANN(t).
Under these circumstances, the UN would do a MUCH better job.
ICANNt is a loose cannon, and this needs to end.

 

[Ronald Regging]

Obviously the US government isn't controlling ICANN and when a top level insider makes these remarks you basically should start an investigation immediately from the senate level..

The government is controlling them though. Maybe not on an operational level, but I dont think the government cares about that. Like he pointed out in the article and like I've said before, the only thing the government cares about is the power associated with having military control over all of the world's internet communications... The US government will NEVER let the Internet be governed by a world organization, unless it's just for show and they continue to hold the real power. They possibly have the means to data mine for intelligence as was pointed out in the article, and as I have said before, they could essentially shut down the internet for and entire country or region if need be. It's one of the most powerful information/electronic warfare weapons in the US arsenal. They won't give that up ever.

 

[Mark]

I thought of closing the thread until I read the article ... While I do see the points made by the Author (Trust me - I'm not wearing a "I love ICANN T-shirt") - The references to the USSR seem to me to be over the line a little. I'm sure someone will be or is offended on that part. Also the "West Virginia trailer park" portion ...


As I stated - I do agree with some of his points .... But he comes off as just a bit Arrogant.

 

[Ronald Regging]

You should check out NoPrimary.com. It's the site of a local (my town) political commentator who compares the heads of the local GOP to old USSR because they essentially pushed other GOP candidates out of the race in order to eliminate a primary election and cheat the voters out of having a choice. I think this is essentially the same concept that Karl was trying to express, because ICANN has essentially closed itself off to the Internet users and gives them no say in the governing process of the Internet. I personally don't see how it is offensive to make a historical/political comparison between two governing bodies.

I agree though, the WV trailer park bit might have been a bit much, but I grew up in a trailer park and I wasn't offended, so unless someone here specifically grew up in a WV trailer and is offended, I think we're relatively safe

 

[iNod]

Well Mark, maybe using them type of words is what people need. People didn't start looking at Global Warming until somebody said we are all going to die within the next 30 years if we don't change our ways. ( And we still didn't )

However referencing USSR was abit uncalled for, there are many other words that would have been less um... against a country that the word USSR.. However the principles he is trying to make come across clear when he does reference the USSR.

- Steve

 

[Mark]

We need these type words ? To get a point across ?

Some people live in Mobile Homes by choice (I've seen them sell for over a million bucks in Florida) .... MOST Don't ..... It's what they can afford !

Why Belittle a large portion of the population to make a point about ICANN Sucking ?


It's great to go against ICANN IMO ~ But not act like a Arrogant ass while doing so.

 

[Ronald Regging]

I agree that the guy probably is a bit arrogant, but at the same time, he wasn't appointed to his board position, he was voted in. And he also maintained an open connection with the public, rather than just shutting them out, so in that sense, he had been far less arrogant than other board members Either way, the guy has been in the thick of it and knows what he's talking about, so you cant allow yourself to discount his statements based on a questionably offensive comment. I'm not real big into the PC thing though... If a guy knows what he's talking about, he knows whats he's talking about, regardless of how he comes across.

 

[DotSauce]

Great read. I wrote a feature on this interview on my domain magazine.