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From User: Jeremy

"I don't think the report is true, but these crises work for those who want to make fights between people." Kulam Dastagir, 28, a bird seller in Afghanistan

Salon.com Technology | Esther Dyson defends ICANN
Topic: Politics and Law 2:12 pm EDT, Jul 28, 2002

In response to the Gilmore interview, Salon received an angry letter from ICANN's chief counsel, Joe Sims, and was also approached by Esther Dyson, who sought an opportunity to explain some of the "nuances" of ICANN's operations.

Dyson: You've got structures that make elections real, and one argument against them is -- I've heard from members who say "In my country we've had too many elections where you just go out and round up a few hundred thousand peasants and you pay them and get votes." And that's what the ICANN board in part is scared of.

... Let's get real. In the scheme of things, the amount of money involved here is kind of piddling. A lot of people that talk about this think a million dollars is a big deal.

I'm going to venture a guess that ICANN feels that the elections had too high a percentage of "hackers" participating, and this lead to the election of "hackers" to their board, whom they don't feel represent the real user community. They probably have no idea how to get the people they feel are the user community interested enough to participate, so they have concluded that elections don't work.

Its interesting that Dyson is trying to distance herself from ICANN, while still supporting it. Playing both sides? Or maybe she feels that the end may come, and doesn't want to be swept away with ICANN when it happens.

Salon.com Technology | Esther Dyson defends ICANN


Smart Mobs: The Next Social Revolution, by Howard Rheingold
Topic: Society 2:16 pm EDT, Jul 26, 2002

Howard Rheingold has a new book coming out in October. (Amazon claims it will be November.) Included here is Howard's summary of the concept. There are links to a recent NYT article and a longer article at Edge.org. Also included is the table of contents for the new book. There is an entire chapter on "the evolution of reputation."

Smart mobs emerge when communication and computing technologies amplify human talents for cooperation. The impacts of smart mob technology already appear to be both beneficial and destructive.

The people who make up smart mobs cooperate in ways never before possible ...

Media cartels and government agencies are seeking to reimpose the regime of the broadcast era. Are the populations of tomorrow going to be users or consumers?

Smart Mobs: The Next Social Revolution, by Howard Rheingold


Scientists Worry Journals May Aid Terrorists
Topic: Science 2:03 pm EDT, Jul 26, 2002

The president of the American Society for Microbiology has sought the advice of the National Academy of Sciences on whether scientific journals should withhold information that may aid bioterrorists or countries contemplating biological warfare.

He wrote, "We are now being asked to allow authors to withhold critical information because of concern that significant data could be misappropriated or abused."

Don Kennedy, editor at _Science_, argues against such a proposal.

For the record, the computer security industry has already covered this problem. There may be some lessons there.

1. People often publish for the purpose of recognition. When you are dealing with sensitive subjects some responsibility must be taken. Publish your results to those who need to know, and make them more public if you feel the public needs to know.

2. When publishing to the public, make sure that you alter your directions in such a matter that experienced scientists can replicate your results, but inexperienced scientists won't be able to figure them out.

3. Uphold ethical/moral standards in your profession.

4. Do not create unreasonable barriers to entry for people who just want to learn.

5. Do not allow capable, creative people to wind up in a situation where the easiest path to economic security or intellectual freedom is by working for the enemy. Cases in point: Bolivian virus writers, Russian nuke scientists, the Canadian guy who built long range cannons for Iraq after the U.S. fired him...

It is possible for us to act responsibly, and this IS a two way street. There is a balance that can be obtained which provides barriers to terrorists without creating barriers to free thought. The difficulty is in getting everyone to agree on what enlightened self interest consists of. Frankly, scientists are more likely to "get it" then many other communities. However, this will be hard.

Scientists Worry Journals May Aid Terrorists


Who Really Cooks the Books?
Topic: Finance & Accounting 12:47 pm EDT, Jul 24, 2002

Warren Buffett chastises the nation's CEO's in today's NYT.

There is a crisis of confidence today about corporate earnings reports and the credibility of chief executives. And it's justified.

Without blushing, almost all CEO's have told their shareholders that options are cost-free.

To clean up their act, CEO's don't need "independent" directors, oversight committees or auditors absolutely free of conflicts of interest. They simply need to do what's right.

CEO's ... should quit talking about some bad apples and reflect instead on their own behavior.

[CEO's] talk principle, but, for most, their motive is pocketbook.

Who Really Cooks the Books?


Regional Bell Giants No Longer Invulnerable
Topic: Telecom Industry 12:20 pm EDT, Jul 24, 2002

Shortly after BellSouth, the nation's No. 3 local phone company, sent its stock plunging yesterday by saying it would fail to meet its financial targets for 2002, one analyst released a report titled, "It's Official -- There Is No Place to Hide."

In some ways, the pronouncement was as startling as it was apt. While the carriers fought each other and CLECs withered, RBOCs could sit back with their near-monopolies and reap growth, profits and the adulation of investors.

Or so the story went.

The Bells' problems keep mounting.

Asked about growth prospects, a Verizon rep said, "We see long-term growth on the wireless side, and also a great opportunity to offer wireless services to our enterprise customers."

He made no mention of plain old telephone service.

Nothing about POTS, but also nothing about profits. Growth is not cheap in these markets, and the new customers remaining to be won are not particularly valuable.

BellSouth shares lost 18% yesterday on news that net income was down 67% for the quarter. That's a four year low. If you thought the RBOCs' cash flow immunized them against the telecom collapse, think again.

Regional Bell Giants No Longer Invulnerable


Investors May Have Repudiated the Internet, but Consumers Have Not
Topic: Tech Industry 5:53 pm EDT, Jul 22, 2002

"The Internet has turned out to be more of a souped-up telephone than a delivery vehicle for media and entertainment.

The most far-reaching impact lies in the rhythms and habits formed by daily use of the Web's interactive features.

"This is an audience that wants to make their own schedules."

"The move from passive to a more active paradigm in consumer behavior is where the new media has had the greatest impact.

"The media ... is very good at satisfying generic interests but isn't good at satisfying each individual's very unique, specific interest."

Investors May Have Repudiated the Internet, but Consumers Have Not


Bankruptcy at WorldCom Is the Largest in U.S. History
Topic: Telecom Industry 9:43 am EDT, Jul 22, 2002

WorldCom, plagued by the rapid erosion of its profits and an accounting scandal that created billions in illusory earnings, last night submitted the largest bankruptcy filing in United States history.

Shareholders, who owned what was once one of the world's most valuable companies, worth more than $100 billion at its peak, are expected to be virtually wiped out.

Largest. Bankruptcy. Ever. (At least for the next few months.)

Bankruptcy at WorldCom Is the Largest in U.S. History


Economist on the future of the Telecom Industry
Topic: Telecom Industry 3:49 am EDT, Jul 21, 2002

"Expect the telecoms revival to come riding on the back of an unexpected technology that nobody in the industry has yet heard of. "

Just read the last few paragraphs.

Economist on the future of the Telecom Industry


The problem with focusing on 'star performers.'
Topic: Management 2:30 am EDT, Jul 21, 2002

"The broader failing of McKinsey and its acolytes at Enron is their assumption that an organization's intelligence is simply a function of the intelligence of its employees. They believe in stars, because they don't believe in systems."

This is a really good article. It gave me a good deal of insite into alot of the experiences I had at iAsiaWorks. Its not light reading. Only if you are interested in thinking about how organizations work.

The problem with focusing on 'star performers.'


Scientists and Terrorists
Topic: Science 1:34 pm EDT, Jul 20, 2002

To the Editor:

Terrorists and torturers read the scientific literature in order to learn new ways of inflicting pain and avoiding prosecution. The scientists who created polio virus in their laboratory and published the results (front page, July 12) have played into the hands of state-sponsored perpetrators who have the intention of developing instruments of mass destruction.

The United States and the international community need a system of governance and public debate to monitor, curtail and punish those scientists who engage in this type of reckless behavior.

RICHARD F. MOLLICA, M.D.
Boston, July 14, 2002
The writer is director, Harvard Program in Refugee Trauma, Massachusetts General Hospital.

The new U.S. federal guidelines for proper and legal thought will be published next Wednesday...

Scientists and Terrorists


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