Question: In a perfect www, does ICANN exist? Currently, it appears (nominee claims to the contrary)uncertainty (fear)anticipating release of new TLD's have created a perception of ICANN as govenment. Please project limitations/strengths of ICANN's role in models (as per above).

Nominee Replies

Emerson Tiller, J.D., Ph.D. - posted on 2000-10-08 20:46:28 On the one hand, ICANN is weak as an authority because it is still seeking legitimacy. The global elections of at large members is an important step in bringing legitimacy. On the other hand, ICANN has power over DNS and in that sense it has lots of authority. But the bigger issue is about legitimacy (and not strictly in the legal sense). Lyman Chapin - posted on 2000-10-08 15:44:52 ICANN exists at least in part because perfect worlds don't - different people have different ideas about what a perfect world would look like. Because it is the first organization to take on the Internet governance question, it draws many more hopes and fears than it deserves. Introducing new TLDs will change the Internet. No one knows exactly what the consequences will be (that's a good definition of uncertainty). For better or worse, ICANN will be the focal point of the debate, despite the fact that it has no authority to change any of the fundamental parameters. Lawrence Lessig - posted on 2000-10-07 14:51:52 The greater the number and diversity of TLDs, the less need there is for policy making by ICANN. That is my strategy for minimizing ICANN as government.