[9829] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Re: "F--- you," says Open Source Spook (Blanks Filled in)
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Clay Shirky)
Sat Jan 22 10:47:02 1994
From: Clay Shirky <clays@panix.com>
To: com-priv@psi.com
Date: Sat, 22 Jan 1994 10:46:18 -0500 (EST)
Cc: rothman@netcom.com, com-priv@psi.com, steeler@well.sf.ca.us,
In-Reply-To: <Pine.3.85.9401211847.A20822-0100000@netcom3> from "Arthur R. McGee" at Jan 21, 94 06:49:47 pm
> (2) I do not see a reason why this discussion needs to be conducted on so
> many different mailing lists. Would it offend anyone, including you
> David, if we tried to limit it to say COM-PRIV?
I have trimmed the headers on this reply.
> (5) Finally, if we're going to start questioning motives, or if we're
> wondering where the "heart" is, then we might as well bring up all the
> other touchy subjects as well: Has the EFF sold out? Why has the EFF
> appeared to have abandoned the grassroots? [.....]
A word in EFF's defense - During last Jan/Feb's fabulous flame-fest on
comp.org.eff.talk about these various subjects, EFF made the judgement
that since the telecommunications situation was changing both on the ground
and on the national level, and since they could not cover both beats with
complete effectiveness, they determined that they could do the best work
inside the beltway. From my point of view if their "Open road" proposal
succeeds, they will have been correct in that assessment.
Furthermore, in a very net-like move they decided their relations with
grassroots organizations should be one of association rather than a
heirarchical national chapter-regional chapter model. Caveat lector,
I am on the board of the Society for Electronic Access in NY, but speaking
for myself, our relationship with EFF and with other regional groups
is more satisfying than if we had been (as we originally formed to be)
merely the NYC chapter of EFF.
--
Clay Shirky
