[rpd] PDWG Co-Chairs communication regarding observed behavior on AFPUB-2026-ASN-001-DRAFT02

[Fundiswa Nadia Maseko]

Dear colleagues,

I agree that repetitive posts and list flooding should be moderated.
However, I don't think the use of AI should, on its own, determine how a
contribution is viewed.

AI is simply a tool. The participant is still responsible for reviewing,
understanding, and standing behind what they submit. In the end, what
matters is whether the argument is clear, relevant, and technically sound.

If moderation is needed, it should be based on conduct and the quality of
participation, not on the tools someone used to draft their message.


Kind regards,
Fundiswa Nadia Maseko


On Thu, 23 Jul 2026, 16:44 , <rpd-request at afrinic.net> wrote:

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> Today's Topics:
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>    1. Re: PDWG Co-Chairs communication regarding observed
>       behavioron AFPUB-2026-ASN-001-DRAFT02 (Mike Burns)
>    2. Fw: PDWG Co-Chairs communication regarding observed behavior
>       on AFPUB-2026-ASN-001-DRAFT02 (NP Petronella)
>    3. Re: PDWG Co-Chairs communication regarding observed
>       behavioron AFPUB-2026-ASN-001-DRAFT02 (Noah)
>    4. Re: PDWG Co-Chairs communication regarding observed
>       behavioron AFPUB-2026-ASN-001-DRAFT02 (Mike Silber)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:38:45 -0400
> From: "Mike Burns" <mike at iptrading.com>
> To: "'Frank Habicht'" <geier at geier.ne.tz>,      <rpd at afrinic.net>
> Subject: Re: [rpd] PDWG Co-Chairs communication regarding observed
>         behavioron AFPUB-2026-ASN-001-DRAFT02
> Message-ID: <020d01dd1aa0$33beba50$9b3c2ef0$@iptrading.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="us-ascii"
>
> HI Frank,
>
> Thanks for playing Devil's Advocate, I think that is a worthwhile effort.
>
> I agree that swamping the list should be subject to moderation, and it
> already is.
> But the more important question to me, is if Claude comes up with a winning
> argument, should we ignore or discount it?
>
> I think the verbosity and repetition of these posts will work against them
> in the long run as effective use of AI tools.
> But if they can shorten and clarify their arguments, and resist the urge to
> repeat them slightly differently, I would listen to them.
>
> Regards,
> Mike
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Frank Habicht <geier at geier.ne.tz>
> Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2026 12:37 AM
> To: rpd at afrinic.net
> Subject: Re: [rpd] PDWG Co-Chairs communication regarding observed
> behavioron AFPUB-2026-ASN-001-DRAFT02
>
> Hi,
>
> On 7/22/2026 8:53 PM, Mike Burns via RPD wrote:
> [snip]
> > I say, who cares if Claude is posting, or ChatGPT, or any other AI.
> >
> > Give them a seat at the table and address their arguments.
> >
> > Giving them a veneer of humanness through identity appropriation is
> > not the way forward.
> >
> > Again, I am interested in hearing other perspectives.
>
> I'd like to hear what should happen if then two Claudes are arguing at
> 5000 email per hour and eventually one Claude wins the argument, and
> AfriNIC
> will have to implement a policy that e.g. bans you from posting here?
>
> Frank
> Devil's advocate
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> RPD at afrinic.net
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>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:30:13 +0000
> From: NP Petronella <NPertuniaPetronella at outlook.com>
> To: "Rpd at afrinic.net" <Rpd at afrinic.net>, "mike at iptrading.com"
>         <mike at iptrading.com>
> Subject: [rpd] Fw: PDWG Co-Chairs communication regarding observed
>         behavior on AFPUB-2026-ASN-001-DRAFT02
> Message-ID:
>         <
> VI2PR09MB7139828F4B931D6A9D51C9F1A4C02 at VI2PR09MB7139.eurprd09.prod.outlook.com
> >
>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: NP Petronella
> Sent: Thursday, 23 July 2026 15:25:26
> To: rpd-request at afrinic.net <rpd-request at afrinic.net>; mike at iptrading.com
> <mike at iptrading.com>
> Subject: [rpd] PDWG Co-Chairs communication regarding observed behavior on
> AFPUB-2026-ASN-001-DRAFT02
>
>
> Hi Mike,
>
> I think that is a fair approach. A strong argument should not be
> discounted because a tool helped express it, just as a weak argument should
> not gain weight merely because someone typed it unaided.
>
> The 2020 experience offers a useful distinction. Where voting was
> involved, eligibility controls were considered because votes are counted.
> Policy discussion is different: rough consensus should assess distinct
> arguments, not subscription dates or the number of similar messages.
>
> Repeated points can be consolidated, and actual list-swamping can already
> be moderated. At the same time, newer participants and AI-assisted
> contributions should still be judged on clarity, relevance, and evidence.
>
> That seems the balanced position: moderate conduct, not tools; reduce
> repetition, not participation; and keep the focus on the argument rather
> than the author.
>
> Regards,
> Nonhlanhla
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 17:03:02 +0300
> From: Noah <noah at neo.co.tz>
> To: Mike Burns <mike at iptrading.com>
> Cc: pdwg-chairs at afrinic.net, rpd List <rpd at afrinic.net>
> Subject: Re: [rpd] PDWG Co-Chairs communication regarding observed
>         behavioron AFPUB-2026-ASN-001-DRAFT02
> Message-ID:
>         <
> CAEqgTWZVdRe+kfxUjevob2w4PurLzzY4r8DjNKq1-wABf8S0gQ at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> On Wed, 22 Jul 2026, 8:53?pm Mike Burns, <mike at iptrading.com> wrote:
>
> >
> > It?s not like Claude will be elected to any parliament.
> >
> > But this unique governance form for a global asset provides the
> > opportunity.
> >
> > I say, who cares if Claude is posting, or ChatGPT, or any other AI.
> >
> I care that the AFRINIC rpd list is not turned into waste land of AI
> powered trolls
>
> Give them a seat at the table and address their arguments.
> >
>
> How many valid argument have been made in the past week or you mean a
> single argument repeated through AI generated texts send by single persons
> using multiple different email address or same group saying the same thing
> over and over feeding the troll....
>
> I have not experienced this behaviour on the ARIN or RIPE lists or even
> APNIC for which we are both participants..
>
> Why are you advocating for it in the AFRNIC service region....?
>
> Cheers,
> *.**/noah*
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> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2026 16:43:25 +0200
> From: Mike Silber <silber.mike at gmail.com>
> To: rpd at afrinic.net
> Subject: Re: [rpd] PDWG Co-Chairs communication regarding observed
>         behavioron AFPUB-2026-ASN-001-DRAFT02
> Message-ID:
>         <
> CAE-cm4LvzxAERypoy2a16SUniYQA_+heXqPnC-YG6gNYtUvp7Q at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
>
> Hi Mike B
>
> On Thu, Jul 23, 2026 at 2:39?PM Mike Burns via RPD <rpd at afrinic.net>
> wrote:
>
> >
> > I agree that swamping the list should be subject to moderation, and it
> > already is.
> >
>
> Indeed - but I think clearer parameters for moderation will be helpful to
> avoid accusations of partiality.
>
>
> > But the more important question to me, is if Claude comes up with a
> winning
> > argument, should we ignore or discount it?
> >
>
> Definitely not. I have no issue with AI generated or supplemented / edited
> positions.
>
> >
> > I think the verbosity and repetition of these posts will work against
> them
> > in the long run as effective use of AI tools.
> > But if they can shorten and clarify their arguments, and resist the urge
> to
> > repeat them slightly differently, I would listen to them.
> >
>
> I agree that the current verbose and repetitive positing is not endearing
> these posters to the community or showing any compelling arguments. The
> simplistic view is that this is an unsophisticated campaign using various
> sockpuppet accounts to try to create the perception of large scale dissent.
>
> But what if it is actually a sophisticated campaign to drown out other
> participation, cause list members to unsubscribe or withdraw in frustration
> that can then lead to the "capture" of the process by hollowing out
> positive contributions?
>
> Mike S
>
> >
> >
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