When the user runs her own root, she can make tld's "disappear" by editing a text file. She can also create new ones. Similarly "ICANN" can "create" tld's by

When the user runs her own root, she can make tld's "disappear" by editing a text file. She can also create new ones. Similarly "ICANN" can "create" tld's by editing a text file. As we all know, most users choose(?) to use dns caches run by someone else and the admins of those caches point them at ICANN's roots. I would guess most users are not even aware they are making that "choice". In either case, the cost of editing a text file^W^W^W^Wproduction of a tld is next to nothing. (Maintaining a network of globally reachable servers and coercing dns cache admins at ISPs and elsewhere to use these servers is a separate matter.) Yet ICANN can charge exorbitant sums for "creating a new tld", i.e., editing a text file. With relatively little work this strange "not for profit" organization can put most YC startups to shame: 1. Edit text file 2. Profit. How is this possible? Here is my guess: Because most users do not know how to run their own root let alone their own cache. Here is my opinion: It is not difficult. 14 years ago djb made it very simple. Of course, it is April Fools Day. Maybe I am joking and there really is something more to it?