[AlexanderHanff]

I agree, even having used and worked in the internet industry for over 16 years it is still not a substitute for personal interaction and I hope it never will be. It is a tool, an incredibly valuable tool admittedly, which has changed and continues to change our global society in dramatic ways, but it is not a substitute for living.

Life is about communicating, developing and improving the world in which we live and our understanding of it. One of greatest gifts we have a species is how we manage to communicate on so many different levels.

The Internet and related technologies is an amazing feat (which is hopefully why we are all trying to protect our rights to privacy in the first place) and I am one of it's biggest fans, I am passionate about technology and communications, to see technology break down national boundaries that have existed for centuries and allow people to communicate and learn about different cultures. I strongly believe that it can even help to increase tolerance and understanding, build global democracies and improve the world in which we live. But I would not want to give up the real spirit of living, the ability to interact, enrich and be enriched by others.

Alexander Hanff

---------- Post added at 05:07 ---------- Previous post was at 05:01 ----------

I would like to proudly announce that I have been invited to take part in the meeting as a guest speaker. I say proud because I get the opportunity to represent all of you and everyone else in the country who has expressed concern and campaigned against this technology.

I would also like to thank Simon for allowing the general public to be represented at the meeting. I think it is a very important step in the right direction and I will do my best to raise the concerns many have expressed over the last 2 months.

Alexander Hanff