So, apparently...
The specific process and timeline I proposed in August, which attracted a number of endorsements and approvals, has no time in any agenda in Hamburg. Instead there'll be some kind of amorphous discussion of "At-Large TNG" or whatever at the anniversary, involving the same kind of never-ending discussion of definitions and navel-gazing that my proposal explicitly attempted to reduce.
It's hard to come to a conclusion other than At-Large prefers endless introspection and unfocused participation over concrete focus and specific action in service of its bylaw mandate. I consider the reaction to my proposal an act of bad faith and will not be participating in whatever happens Wednesday.
Never let it be said that I have only been negative. But when I come up with something constructive and specific that even seems to be met with broad agreement and interest in participation, it gets binned without explanation and replaced by the status quo. As currently constituted, this environment once again demonstrates that it is incapable of improving itself, let alone the rest of ICANN.
- Evan