what problem are we solving? (was Re: ICANN opens up Pandora's Box of new TLDs)

[billn at billn.net (Bill Nash)]

On Fri, 27 Jun 2008, Scott Francis wrote:

> perhaps somebody with more insight can explain the rationale to me
> (DRC?) - is there a purpose served here aside from corporate/legal
> interests?

It strikes me as fomenting another gold rush. The notion that disputed 
TLDs go up for auction sounds like a request for a nice, high quality 
money printing device. I may have skimmed over it, but where does the 
money from these auctions go? At the risk of invoking Ron Paul, this will 
turn TLDs into a fiat currency, and devalue the rest of them. A small 
subset of people will profit, and everyone else loses.

Off the top of my head, I can see some high dollar fist fights breaking 
out for .sex, .porn, .games, .hotel, etc. It'll be like the .alt tree on 
usenet for people with money. There may also be an actual fist fight over 
TLDs like .irc, .leet, .goatse, and .krad. Maybe not .krad.

I agree with Scott, I'd rather see ICANN spend time on current problems 
instead of making new ones.

- billn