Special Topic: Network Neutrality

If you have no idea to what this hot topic is about, you’re not alone. But because you are using the internet this debate over network neutrality is very relevant to you. In short, net neutrality is the determining factor on the content we consume, and the speed in which it gets to us. The crowd rolling with the idea wants the government to make sure that the web is open to everyone equally. This includes the freedom of content as well. Opposition of net neutrality mainly wants the keep the government out of internet regulations. And that internet providers have the right to control what comes out of the wires they own.

Naturally, this topic is divided in the politic world. That is maybe why I have not caught wind of this discussion until now. To be frank, I hate politics. This stems deeper than because I am young, and they are boring. Which both so happens to be true. Politics are ugly, and one idea is always better than the next. Resolutions that make both sides happy are few and far between. I may be picturing a place that is too good to be true, but that is how I make my decisions, so why can’t politicians. We live in a time where there are no definite yes or nos. Things get done in the grey area, at least they should. So being that my anti-political stance has been taken; the topic of net neutrality transcends it.

The father’s of the internet had the vision of a place to connect information freely. It was to be open for everything, for everyone. The controlling power of the internet was not established because it was never supposed to be. Being that the creators hand is off of their baby, a new controlling step dad (opposition to net neutrality, i.e. ISPs) is trying filter the baby’s (the internet) growth…I just need to step back a moment and digest my own analogy. Yeah, it makes enough sense.

Now, my understanding is that the already controlling ISPs wants to regulate the content and speed to which we and receive information. Or at least that would be a possible outcome of no network neutrality. This can easily lead to content much like a network TV station; uniformed, exclusive, and not that entertaining or informative. This cannot happen. The internet is a tool to connect people and ideas, no matter the opinion or the person. The platform is an equal stage for the average American, as well as the unrepresented minority anywhere in the world. That is the beauty of the internet. I can hear a voice I would not normally witness. And it does not matter about the social class or location.

This is a global medium, just not an American monopoly. This is the time where the definition and function of the web will be established. I cannot even begin to comprehend the thought process of wanting to limit the internet. (Of coarse is comes to the almighty buck). Other than the obvious benefit of the heads making more money, how would this benefit the internet itself? It’s original function is going to be replaced with a selfish money making venture. What a shame.

I can see why a government intervention is annoying. Why must the government step into another area of life to which it normally would have nothing to do with it? When people are robbed of a platform created for them, something must be done. Net neutrality will keep the power of information with the people. It is our right to choose how we exchange the information that is important to us. This medium was invented to transcend TV and radio, to connect ideas and people. There is no reason to use the same controlling format on this medium. It is different baby and should not be trying to be like it’s competing cousins. It was not made for filtered information, so why try and resemble the different models and are controlled.

So when it comes down to it, network neutrality will insure that the original function of the internet is maintained. So if some broke person chooses to read up on how to enjoy San Francisco on a budget, they can. And without the ISP dictating whether my blog is important enough to get through to the viewer. It is none of their business to what I enjoy ingesting. Their taste, I can promise you, would not by shared by me. But by all means, more power to them if they enjoy it. Just don’t make me watch it, and we will be just fine. The function of the internet serves a greater good than the ISPs are envisioning.
To get informed on the issue, read these.

Net neutrality advocates cheer AT&T concessions.

McCain comes out against Net Neutrality.

The Threat is Real.

House rejects Net neutrality rules.