Post by @artnacrea@mastodon.ie

2026-03-12 06:28 UTC

30 years ago when this was set up and I was one of those who set it up that was the last thing that was needed. The world has changed. Back then the Internet was too important to have govt involved. Now it's too important not to. The questions are how and when? 3/3 @isaacfreeman @psdavey

Replies (3)

@isaacfreeman@cloudisland.nz 2026-03-12 07:41

@artnacrea Thanks! My gut feeling is that I wouldn't feel any safer with the government more involved, as I've seen so many foolish decisions to privatise or award dodgy contracts when governments are led by parties allied to the FSU. However, I appreciate that you'll have given it much more thought than I have. While you're right that we need strategy as well as tactics, I'm pretty sure I don't have the experience for strategy here. So if I'm focused on keeping the FSU out in the short term, it's because it's what I can offer, not because it's the only thing. @psdavey

Open ##1556592
@nzlemming@mastodon.nz 2026-03-13 04:55

@artnacrea @artnacrea Back when you and I were on the ISOCNZ council, I made it my job(as a government employee) to keep the government's hands off .nz because I knew there was no entity within government that had any idea what to do with it except regulate it, and I preferred (mostly) the ISOC approach of letting it breathe and grow organically. Now, I think I agree with you that the government probably needs more involvement to stave off wombats like the FSU/TPU/Farrar Axis of Evil. Because if the government doesn't do it, then a corporation will buy its way in. @stephen @isaacfreeman @psdavey

Open ##1556593
@nzlemming@mastodon.nz 2026-03-13 04:56

@artnacrea Also, 30 years! Fuck. @isaacfreeman @psdavey

Open ##1556594