Editorial 22/11/2017 - Net Neutrality
Wow. It's been a long time since I've done one of these.
To be honest, I've been wanting to get back to these, but I've never really found a good opportunity to do so. Trying to find topics of discussion that can bring a common ground for both artists and scientists alike is pretty tough, especially in college where they are actively trying to funnel you in towards one or the other. Fortunately, something came up this week that everyone reading can agree upon. Unfortunately, it's THIS topic.
I may not have been a big fan of this current presidency's policies beforehand, but the upcoming decision on ending net neutrality might be the worst thing they could do to the American public.
For those of you who don't know, net neutrality is essentially freedom of information across the internet. While internet providers like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast can charge small fees for accessing the internet in general, they are required so far to do so with respect to every single one of their customers, meaning they can't block any sites they don't like, charge different people different rates, provide different speeds (as far as the technology will allow), or capitalize on their users' private information. Sure, there are some loopholes available in this system already, but it's what has turned the internet into such a goldmine of ideas and a fantastic way to connect people from around the world.
Of course, that may all change on December 14th. Yesterday morning, Ajit Pai, chairman of the board of the Federal Communications Commission, announced plans to dismantle this system entirely. He announced it with pride and to the applause of many large business owners, saying that he thought it was an example of Government control, and repealing these regulations would allow more innovation in internet provision. Naturally, a majority of the public are against this decision, and the office has already gotten over 22 million complaints against it, but Pai has also stated that he doesn't care for them and will not consider them when the vote comes next month.
I probably don't have to explain why this is a bad thing, but I will anyways in the hope that someone will firmly explain this to him.
Net neutrality is not government control. In fact, it's everything that's keeping the internet as a place of freedom of speech and not just another business commodity. Sure, these repeals don't necessarily guarantee a total corporate takeover of our lives, but only in the same way leaving your car door unlocked doesn't guaruntee that it will be carjacked. The internet is just too important in our lives to risk it being capitalized like that. Many people, including myself, are living off of an incredibly tight budget and are looking to the internet as a way to look for employment, exposure, and connection to loved ones. If these regulations are repealed, we are placed in very real danger of losing those connections. If only the internet providers are allowed to control what people see, what exactly does that mean for our freedom of speech?
Thankfully, we still have at least three weeks before the final vote on this decision is passed, which means there is time to change people's minds. If you like the internet as it is, or if you think there are better ways to change it, contact your local government representatives to let them know that we want to keep information free. Again, from a rational standpoint, this won't throw us over that edge, but we can't afford to go much closer to it. And Pai- if you're reading this, I can understand your want to stimulate the economy. I just want to know if you're doing it for the American people, or for your friends in the upper class.
Sources:
https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/ending-net-neutrality-will-destroy-everything-makes-internet-great-ncna823301
https://techcrunch.com/2017/11/21/the-fccs-craven-net-neutrality-vote-announcement-makes-no-mention-of-the-22-million-comments-filed/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/11/21/the-fcc-has-unveiled-its-plan-to-rollback-its-net-neutrality-rules/?utm_term=.8b9a7f46c94b
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/21/technology/fcc-net-neutrality.html
To be honest, I've been wanting to get back to these, but I've never really found a good opportunity to do so. Trying to find topics of discussion that can bring a common ground for both artists and scientists alike is pretty tough, especially in college where they are actively trying to funnel you in towards one or the other. Fortunately, something came up this week that everyone reading can agree upon. Unfortunately, it's THIS topic.
I may not have been a big fan of this current presidency's policies beforehand, but the upcoming decision on ending net neutrality might be the worst thing they could do to the American public.
For those of you who don't know, net neutrality is essentially freedom of information across the internet. While internet providers like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast can charge small fees for accessing the internet in general, they are required so far to do so with respect to every single one of their customers, meaning they can't block any sites they don't like, charge different people different rates, provide different speeds (as far as the technology will allow), or capitalize on their users' private information. Sure, there are some loopholes available in this system already, but it's what has turned the internet into such a goldmine of ideas and a fantastic way to connect people from around the world.
Of course, that may all change on December 14th. Yesterday morning, Ajit Pai, chairman of the board of the Federal Communications Commission, announced plans to dismantle this system entirely. He announced it with pride and to the applause of many large business owners, saying that he thought it was an example of Government control, and repealing these regulations would allow more innovation in internet provision. Naturally, a majority of the public are against this decision, and the office has already gotten over 22 million complaints against it, but Pai has also stated that he doesn't care for them and will not consider them when the vote comes next month.
I probably don't have to explain why this is a bad thing, but I will anyways in the hope that someone will firmly explain this to him.
Net neutrality is not government control. In fact, it's everything that's keeping the internet as a place of freedom of speech and not just another business commodity. Sure, these repeals don't necessarily guarantee a total corporate takeover of our lives, but only in the same way leaving your car door unlocked doesn't guaruntee that it will be carjacked. The internet is just too important in our lives to risk it being capitalized like that. Many people, including myself, are living off of an incredibly tight budget and are looking to the internet as a way to look for employment, exposure, and connection to loved ones. If these regulations are repealed, we are placed in very real danger of losing those connections. If only the internet providers are allowed to control what people see, what exactly does that mean for our freedom of speech?
Thankfully, we still have at least three weeks before the final vote on this decision is passed, which means there is time to change people's minds. If you like the internet as it is, or if you think there are better ways to change it, contact your local government representatives to let them know that we want to keep information free. Again, from a rational standpoint, this won't throw us over that edge, but we can't afford to go much closer to it. And Pai- if you're reading this, I can understand your want to stimulate the economy. I just want to know if you're doing it for the American people, or for your friends in the upper class.
Sources:
https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/ending-net-neutrality-will-destroy-everything-makes-internet-great-ncna823301
https://techcrunch.com/2017/11/21/the-fccs-craven-net-neutrality-vote-announcement-makes-no-mention-of-the-22-million-comments-filed/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/11/21/the-fcc-has-unveiled-its-plan-to-rollback-its-net-neutrality-rules/?utm_term=.8b9a7f46c94b
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/21/technology/fcc-net-neutrality.html
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