[ALSC-Forum] Mistake in methodolgy

[Christian.Ahlert]

Hi Pindar, hi all:

Although I support your approach - and I pledge to volunteer to  
organize an At-Large (yes even political scientists can be of help;)-
I want to point out a dangerous mistake in your and Mikes approach 
(although yours seems to have a different goal):

There is and there has been interest around the globe in ICANN. But 
remember the At-Large was never allowed to start their own mailing 
list on the ICANN website. Hence many volunteered around the 
globe and started maling lists, websites, forums etc. to inform and 
dicsuss about ICANN. I just read on Bret Faussetts ICANN-blog that 
in the last 6 months over 13 000 unique IPs from over 78 countries 
have visited something obscure as a site devoted to news about 
ICANN. Do you get my point? People out there are frustrated with 
ICANN and to simply ask them "do you want to volunteer" will not get 
a huge response rate, instead the very limited number of people who 
still follow the dicsussion will ask: Volunteer for what?

Remember also that in the biggest and greatest democracy of the 
world less than 50 % vote in presedential elections and much less 
are political active!

BTW Mike: I never heard the argument before that you pay taxes for 
voting - even in your country. We had that concept ..... in the 19th 
century!

Activism only happens when people have the feeling they can 
change something. 

What I mean is: When I will hear in Accra the argument that not 
many people seem to be interested in an At-Large, or ICANN and 
that the proof for this argument is low participation on the ALSC's 
mailing list and in the survey and therefore we need no At-Large IT 
IS WRONG : Simply posting a survey on a website does not proof 
anything!

Remember Times magazine search for the man of the century? 
Somehow a journalist in Turkey became aware of the survey and 
wrote about it. End of the story was that Kemal Ataturk the founder 
of modern turkey dominated all categories. He became scientist, 
painter, actor etc. of the century. Public interest is a strange animal.

Best
Ch     
    

   



Date forwarded: 	Thu, 21 Feb 2002 13:36:30 -0500
From:           	"Jeanette Hofmann" <jeanette@medea.wz-berlin.de>
Organization:   	Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin
To:             	"Hans Klein" <hans.klein@pubpolicy.gatech.edu>,
       	"Pindar Wong" <pindar@pacific.net.hk>, <forum@atlargestudy.org>
Date sent:      	Thu, 21 Feb 2002 19:36:02 +0100
Subject:        	Re: [ALSC-Forum] Re: Keeping score 
Forwarded by:   	forum@www.atlargestudy.org


On 21 Feb 2002, at 12:18, Hans Klein wrote:

 
> Pindar,
> 
> As I noted in an earlier Email to you, I am happy to help collect names.
> 
> However, I have to express some skepticism or even surprise at this 
> approach.  ICANN needs to comply with its agreements with the US Department 
> of Commerce, 

I think these agreements are not that much worth these days. It would be naive for us to 
rely on them. 


and I think it is a matter of more than just people collecting 
> donations.
> 
> I think we need to keep cognizant of the seriousness of this issue.

To get the ball rolling right now might be the last chance for the At Large. Remember, 
Hans, to keep the At Large alive needs a change of bylaws. 
That is why I support Esther's and Pindar's efforts. 

jeanette
> 
> Hans
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> At 12:19 AM 2/22/2002 +0800, Pindar Wong wrote:
> >Greetings!
> >
> >If sending an email out to thousands of  lurkers on the forum list has you
> >slightly worried...
> >If the prospect of getting burnt to a toast unnerves you ...
> >
> >Please  send your pledge of time, money etc. privately to HK
> >
> >[i.e. Hans Klein]
> >
> >We all like Hans don't we :)
> >
> >... *and* he's willing to keep track of the tally
> >
> >[...while those of us who feel the urge to post pursue our misguided sense
> >of challenge ;)]
> >
> >He can be reached at
> >
> >hans.klein@pubpolicy.gatech.edu
> >
> >Hans:  ready ... steady ... GO!
> >
> >Thanks man,
> >
> >p.
> >
> >PS: For those of you don't want to post in English... please post in local
> >language and we'll find a way to take it from there.
> >For those of you who can't read English... Hmmm... talk with you friendly
> >cctld administrator.
>