Response to Tom Galvin & the Digital Citizens Alliance: permission to copy granted.
Tom Galvin and his Digital Karens Alliance just released a masterpiece of misinformation, fear-mongering, and lazy assumptions masquerading as a “report.” Let’s be clear: this isn’t research, it’s a hit job on domain investors, small entrepreneurs, and digital pioneers who built the internet’s real estate from the ground up.
They lump domains in with ticket scalpers and slumlords, seriously? That’s like comparing owning Manhattan penthouses to selling fake Rolexes out of a trunk.
Galvin claims that domain investors “hoard” domains and create “scarcity.” Here’s a dose of reality: domains are not scarce. There are over 1,500 extensions (TLDs) available, with INFINITE variations. Anyone who wants a domain can register one for $10. But if you want premium beachfront property—like Hotels .com or BestOdds .com—you’re going to pay a premium. That’s called capitalism, Tom!
They cite junk “survey data” and inflate numbers like a used car lot balloon. Let’s unpack that:
They estimate domainers hold 15 to 25 million names. And? That’s out of over 350-400 million registered domains. That’s not hoarding, it’s investing.
Their supposed “63% of Americans” want to ban domain investing? That’s funny, since the same public just dropped billions buying digital JPEGs and crypto tokens. Spare us the outrage.
And let me tell you, I've done my own survey over 30 years. When I tell people what I do, there is not one regular person that didn't love the idea and think it was brilliant. Not one!! they all say the exact same thing. “I wish I would've thought of that.”
And of the same 30 years, the only ones that felt differently were usually SEO and techies! The Tom’s of the world that missed the boat. Meaningless guys that didn't have the vision and now they're all sour about it. Maybe they're just cheap bastards, that sounds like a bigger possibility!
Then there’s the hilarious example of someone registering a papal name like PopeLeoIV .com as if it’s some sort of Internet war crime. Newsflash: that’s how you stay ahead of the curve. It’s not unethical—it’s visionary. It’s called being early.
And yes, I’m proudly quoted in the report. They mention that I sold BestOdds .com for $1 million and pulled $12 million in one week. You’re damn right I did. Why? Because I had the foresight, the balls, and the patience to wait 30 years for the right moment. You don’t like it? That’s your problem Tommy boy, not mine.
Galvin’s beef isn’t about consumer protection, it’s about control. He and his cronies want gatekeepers who decide what’s “fair” based on bureaucratic fiat, not market forces. That’s not the internet I helped build.
So, Tom, take your fake numbers, your anti-capitalist screed, and your tech illiteracy and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine. Domain investors aren’t the problem. We’re the reason the digital economy exists.
And we’re just getting started.
This is a fight I relish. They want to make our assets even more important and more valuable and accelerate their understanding.
Let's go for it Tommy! You're my new best friend and I'm going to eat you alive and in the process, thank you for allowing us to have this rumble.
Coke needs Pepsi. McDonald's needs Burger King. Ali needed Frazier. And Tommy, I need you! You are MY digital piñata.
– Rick Schwartz
The Domain King
DomainKing.com: Home of The Domain King®, Rick Schwartz.
