I think that the general understanding is that the individual internet user is exactly that - a person who uses the Internet (in a personal capacity). Which is the global population (or will be) Very large group. So, we deal with aggregates of users, and groups that serve the interests of these individuals. So both of your cases would fit. Issues that affect these users are the issues of interest to the AtLarge. I disagree that it is without content just because it means anyone... Jacqueline -----Original Message----- From: Michael Gurstein [mailto:gurstein@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 11:49 AM To: 'Jacob Malthouse'; 'NA Discuss'; governance@lists.cpsr.org Subject: [governance] RE: [NA-Discuss] ALAC and NCUC Hi Jacob, I don't mean to be a pest about this but has there been any "official" interpretation on what precisely is meant by the term "individual Internet user" as below... There was no response to my two cases from yesterday -- one, that of (more or less anonymous) cybercafe frequenting I-users and the other, folks clustered in various groupings "using" the Internet via telecentres (or community networks as per Michael Maranda's interventions). On the principle that silence is consent, if my argument is valid then could I suggest that the notion of "individual internet user" in fact is more or less without content as it could either mean anyone, since anyone could be an anonymous cybercafe or cell phone Internet surfer (or no one in particular--who would know or could make any judgements in this regard); or it should necessarily include some sorts of collective groupings i.e. families, communities etc. (individuals as collectives hmmm...-and then who speaks for them and how are the "interests" of these collectives to be represented, as collectives or as collections of individuals etc.etc.). In a global environment where on the one hand Internet "use" is becoming more or less pervasive and on the other where the notion of who or what constitutes "the individual" is highly culturally (and even politically) determined, could I humbly suggest that some other mode of delineating participation in this aspect of Internet governance be formulated. MG -----Original Message----- From: na-discuss-bounces@atlarge-lists.icann.org [mailto:na-discuss-bounces@atlarge-lists.icann.org] On Behalf Of Jacob Malthouse Sent: April 19, 2007 6:36 AM To: NA Discuss Subject: [NA-Discuss] ALAC and NCUC From: http://alac.icann.org/ ICANN's At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) is responsible for considering and providing advice on the activities of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), as they relate to the interests of individual Internet users (the "At-Large" community). ICANN, as a private sector, non-profit corporation with technical management responsibilities for the Internet's domain name and address system, will rely on the ALAC and its supporting infrastructure (At-Large groups all over the world) to involve and represent in ICANN a broad set of individual user interests. From: http://www.ncdnhc.org/ The Noncommercial Users Constituency (NCUC) is the home for civil society organizations in ICANN's Generic Names Supporting Organization (GNSO). With real voting power in ICANN, it develops and supports Internet policies that favor noncommercial communication and activity on the Internet, and it participates in the selection of ICANN Board members. _______________________________________________ NA-Discuss mailing list NA-Discuss@atlarge-lists.icann.org http://atlarge-lists.icann.org/mailman/listinfo/na-discuss_atlarge-lists .icann.org --- Draft MoU with ICANN: http://www.icannwiki.org/NA_RALO_MOU Draft Operating Principles: http://www.icannwiki.org/NA_RALO_OP !DSPAM:2676,4627709c273381703595249! ____________________________________________________________ You received this message as a subscriber on the list: governance@lists.cpsr.org To be removed from the list, send any message to: governance-unsubscribe@lists.cpsr.org For all list information and functions, see: http://lists.cpsr.org/lists/info/governance -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.5.4/768 - Release Date: 4/19/2007 5:32 AM -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.5.4/768 - Release Date: 4/19/2007 5:32 AM