A story in Monday's WSJ called France Puts Internet on G-8's agenda contained a gem of a quote which captures an attitude toward government intervention that is widespread in Europe:
"The Internet has become something essential in our lives, yet there is no governance of it," says Stephane Richard, chief executive of telecom operator France Télécom SA, who will be attending the conference. "There is an absolute necessity to find some form of global economic governance of the Internet," Mr. Richard said.
You think maybe the fact that the Internet has so rapidly become such an essential part of modern life could maybe, just maybe be BECAUSE of the lack of governance? Thankfully, the French efforts to push for greater governance of the Internet at the G-8 meetings this week appear to have been largely fruitless. At least for now.
