This is what will happen if the telecom lobbyists and John McCain get their way, more or less:
As Congressman Markey said today on a conference call with bloggers, "We’re now faced with a choice: Can we preserve this wildly creative network? Or do we allow network operators to change how the Internet has historically functioned."
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Unfortunately Jason, I think this graphic (and post) are pretty much spot on if McCain and the TelCos/ISPs get their wishes fulfilled.
I don’t know if defending “creativity” and the “history of the Internet” is compelling enough for this incredibly important issue.
What alarms me is not the higher cost (and that is an issue) but control of access to information. Imagine living in Tibet or Iran when the govt shut down the internet access to the outside world. This is govt control of information and communication, further damaging a key component of DEMOCRACY.
It takes power away from people and everyone knows this.
I think that’s a great point, and certainly the other side of this coin.
My thinking goes straight there when this issue comes up. One reason I suspect this is such a hot topic right now is not because of p*rn, or other legal issues, and not because it’s a “business opportunity” but because TPTB need to control the bloggers and silence their voice.
Most true investigative reporting is happening on the Internet. Nothing can go “viral” if access is split up into little tiny pay/per/view pieces.
Also note the passive TV type model of communication that seems to be injecting itself into the debate. It isn’t called the WEB for nothing. This isn’t traditional broadcasting from one point to many other points like a shotgun. All points are activated and the message ricochets around in all directions and back and forth.
Just some thoughts.
I see both. Clearly, privacy is a big issue here. But the creativity argument brings in huge powers for our side as well. That’s why Google is on our side, and tons of the other silicon valley companies. They took advantage of the open nature of the Internet to build their businesses, and now they have money and clout to help with this issue.
Oh yes, there are lots of issues in just one hot topic!
My comments are intended more as brainstormy “this is what comes to mind for me” type comments, and not arguments against any other points made. ;]
nice to know there are some heavy hitters ready to go to bat.