Question: Is it better to be outspoken and vocal about the problems with ICANN or is it better to quietly work for consensus within the system? Is it possible to do both? What would be your approach?

Nominee Replies

Lawrence Lessig - posted on 2000-10-09 20:34:30 It is best to do both, by standing for principles, and giving others the benefit of the doubt. Once. Barbara Simons - posted on 2000-10-09 18:20:23 If the at large community is to be adequately represented, then it will be necessary to attempt to reach consensus within the system, while reserving the option of being outspoken and vocal about problems that are not being adequately addressed. This is a very political game, and having an impact is going to require a delicate balancing act. My primary goal is to prevent the Internet from being tied, tamed, and turned into the equivalent of modern radio. I shall follow whatever combination of approaches appear to be the most effective in achieving this goal. Lyman Chapin - posted on 2000-10-09 17:43:21 Airing dirty laundry in public can be therapeutic, but it often has more to do with the ego of the outspoken and vocal person (hey, look at me, I'm not afraid to confront these high-and-mighty miscreants) than a genuine desire to improve the situation. I will never attempt to conceal or misrepresent problems with ICANN, and one of my most important responsibilities as a director will be to ensure that the at-large membership hears exactly what's going on inside ICANN, good or bad. But I bring many skills to the task of solving ICANN's problems - some of them are loud and direct, and some of them are quiet. Anyone who thinks that meaningful changes can be produced in an organization like ICANN simply by shouting loudly and indignantly at every opportunity is naively mistaken. Emerson Tiller, J.D., Ph.D. - posted on 2000-10-09 15:39:41 There is no doubt a time for each. As a candidate, we must be outspoken -- that's our job. As an actual board member, we have a greater responsibility to take part in remedying ICANN's problems. Sometimes that means biting your tongue, rolling up your sleeves, and working with others to get the job done. If ICANN becomes as transparent in its decisionmaking as most of us would like, there will be plenty of meaningful criticism coming from the at large membership. . Harris Miller - posted on 2000-10-09 11:33:15 I like to work from the inside out, but if progress is not being made internally, as my friends know, I have no reluctance to go public with my criticisms/comments. But I do not believe in shooting first, asking questions later. Karl Auerbach - posted on 2000-10-09 08:54:15 I beieve that it is necessary to be vocal about ICANN's problems. I, personally, have already compromised too many times with ICANN to be willing to compromise further. No, I shall not engage in any further back-room dealing that compromises away those few, those very few, democratic ideas that remain within ICANN. Nor will I engage in any compromises that continue ICANN's mission creep.