I support SRI's proposal for .geo tld.The web's greatest
value is promoting democracy in culture, politics, education, health, environment
and commerce. It does so by enabling and empowering communication worldwide,
not only in the US and Europe.
One of the defining aspects of any individual and
her or his materialization in the world of family and friends, culture, entertainment,
politics, education, health, environment and commerce is their location. If
we breath, think and do, we do so in a certain place and it is a defining element
of our existence. While there are purely virtual and digitizable activities
and experiences to be had, what defines us is who we love, the music of our region,
the politics of the day, our local educational (mis)matches, the smell of our surroundings
and how we do business. There is certainly more to this.
Unless the person
or group I would be communicating with on the Internet is dealing with purely virtual
and digitizable activities and experiences, I want to know about their physicality,
be able to search for everybody on a geographic basis as well. The .geo proposal
aims to deliver on this issue and to humanize the Web. Its objective and ideas
are very important for local communities, in particular outside the US, and to some
extent Europe.
The implications are important for sustainable development, cultural
and biological diversity and assisting communication between people outside the US
and Europe. Criticism has been tabled in this discussion and I am sure SRI
greatly appreciates these as they can only improve its ambitions.
.geo should
be given the opportunity to succeed (as well as to fail).
ICANN: lets give it a
shot!
Best regards
Dimo
Disclaimer: Dimo Calovski works with the United Nations
in Geneva. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the United Nations
or any of its bodies.