"The wealthy, not only by private fraud but also by common laws, do every day pluck and snatch away from the people some part of their daily living. Therefore, when I consider and weigh in my mind these commonwealths which nowadays do flourish, I perceive nothing but a certain conspiracy of rich men in procuring their own commodities under the name and authority of the commonwealth.

They invent and devise all means and crafts, first how to keep safely without fear of losing that which they have unjustly gathered together, and next how to hire and abuse the work and labor of the people for as little money and effort as possible."

Thomas More, Utopia

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

The Internet's Uncertain Future

If we let them, the big telecommunications giants and internet service providers (along with their vassals in Congress) will irrevocably alter the internet as we now experience it. If you think the telecoms and ISPs have given up on their mission to slay net neutrality, I'd suggest that you think again. Pass this on... often.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the info, Coldie!

I like how the folks in the video said they met with their representatives in the European Union. I doubt our "representatives" in Congress would sit down for a chat on this subject.

Like it was said in "1984"
"Power is tearing human minds apart and putting them back together in new shapes of your own choosing."

"leftisthebest"

Coldtype said...

That's the truth. I'm optimistic that people will wake up in time since they're stating to feel the pinch.

Coldtype said...

Maybe even STARTING to feel the pinch

Maladjusted said...

What's somewhat interesting is that the "internet" has already been subjected to, and survived such an attack. In the mid 1990s there were two large ISPs (America OnLine and Compuserve) that would limit basic subscribers to "local" content only. If I recall correctly, a premium could be paid for access to the open net.

Both models failed. The net remained accessible from smaller dialup sites. Back then it took a small notion more computer saavy to access the wider network, but it was doable.

What concerns me more than this is that several major ISPs have announced new pricing schemes based primarily on download counts. Essentially hooking a "water meter" on your connection. It is a simple fix and could end up costing users enormously.

You don't need to create your own "infrastructure" as the gentleman in the video states - launching your own satellites and such - remember there IS NO SINGLE INTERNET. That's exactly why it works, it is a series of interconnected networks. In reality it belongs to nobody because nobody does or can own the infrastructure.

oh well...

Coldtype said...

These are very good points and the main issue is, as you have indicated, the ISPs setting themselves up as gatekeepers thereby determining what content receives high bandwidth, etc. In essence the internet experience of the telecom's dreams would bear striking resemblance to cable/satellite t/v where the consumer is given a range of largely pre-selected products from which to choose for their entertainment/distraction.

Anonymous said...

OT:If The United States had not entered WWI, it would have ended in a stalemate and a more equitable cease-fire that would have split the war debt equally. Instead The United States provided the tipping point for the allies and levied the entire amount of the war debt on Germany, damning it to ruin, and allowing the bitter humiliation to ferment and plant the seeds for the rise of the Nazi Empire. WWII would not have happened at all if the United States had not entered the war.

The United State's influence in WWII was much more pronounced. Not necessarily in terms of boots on the ground, but in American industrial might. The Soviet Union would have fallen easily without America's industrial and logistical support. Aside from Tanks and rifles, Americans supplied them with pretty much everything else, including locomotives, oil, technology, and jeeps (in the era before computers, jeeps played a critical part of battlefield logistics). It is highly speculative, but the allies would have been at a considerable disadvantage if they didn't enjoy the producive prowess of the United States.

Coldtype said...

"The United State's influence in WWII was much more pronounced"

In truth Russia is primarily responsible for the defeat of Germany--at the cost of 20 million Russian lives. The overwhelming majority of Germany's forces were deployed in the Eastern Front, and it was the Russians who crushed them. It was Russia, not Britain or the US who captured Berlin, the Nazi capital, 'nuff said.

Anonymous said...

Hey Coldie!

Why did you take down the, ah, buxom, young lady who was first posted for this thread. I know her contribution was minimal, but what the heck!

Coldtype said...

Actually that wasn't my doing, I clicked on to my site and saw the dude there--quite a shock. I assume it to be a glitch in YouTube.