Net Neutrality is Mumbo Jumbo.

[Garr123]

http://www.ncta.com/ContentView.aspx?ContentID=3526

Thanks Cable Corporations for clearing that up so well! I'm glad you threw those subtle jabs at Google in, I'm sick of giving them my money!


I laugh so as not to cry.

[Drazus]

Re: Net Neutrality is Mumbo Jumbo.

Um... wuh?

[Caciss]

Re: Net Neutrality is Mumbo Jumbo.

They don't even explain the issue, so clevah.

[Magus]

Re: Net Neutrality is Mumbo Jumbo.

Yo **** the consumer's a babe!

[The Toecutter]

Re: Net Neutrality is Mumbo Jumbo.

Yeah! Free speech, competition, and free press are all just a bunch of mumbo jumbo! Corporate profit is the only thing worthy of attention!

[Czechs Mex]

Re: Net Neutrality is Mumbo Jumbo.

I don't even remember where I originally got this, but I've found it to be a pretty clear explanation of the importance of net neutrality.

When discussing "The Internet" it is important to take into account both the actual backbone of the global network, and the various methods of accessing it. It is the latter that I intend to address.

Broadband Internet access is received like any other utility, and in fact travels over the same medium (Your phone line, your cable, perhaps one day your power-hookups). The exception to this is satellite.

The means of making a high-speed connection to the Internet is, therefore, solely owned and controlled by the utility company that owns your phone line, cable, what have you. You cannot, except in certain specialized circumstances, negotiate for a different company to come hook you up. The sole benefit you receive for the Utility's use of your property (for the purpose of running their infrastructure) is the privilege of paying them for their service. They do not discount your bill, nor do you get a break on your taxes for your charitable contribution. This is government regulation that favors the utilities, and it is good, because if the free market ruled, infrastructure would be out of control.

Now here is the sticky wicket: Because my choices of broadband internet access are limited to a handful of providers, I am effectively at their mercy. They control the Market, rather than vice versa. And so, if they choose to downgrade the priority of packets from a popular web service -- such as Google -- unless that company pays their extortion fee, then I, the consumer, am the one who will suffer. Because even if Google buys their own ISP and provides the highest quality access to themselves, there is simply no guarantee I will be able to purchase their service.

Forgoing broadband access entirely does not place any market pressure on broadband providers, it's the capitalist equivalent of staying home on election day. If I'm a non-voter, I don't matter.

The implication that the Free Market will somehow sort things out is a fallacy, because broadband Internet access is not a free market, but one controlled by monopolists (natural and other).

Google pays what I'm sure is a king's ransom for Internet access to their provider(s). I am paying my broadband provider for access -- UNIMPEDED -- to the entirety of the Internet.

There is one final, relatively unrelated point I feel should be made. As of now, broadband ISPs are what is referred to as "Common Carriers." That means that they do not control, or take responsibility for, the data that travels over their networks. If they begin to pick and choose which packets cross their routers, and when, they are placing their status in jeopardy. With such a policy in place, they are opening themselves to meddling from governmental bodies and special interest groups who would like to see certain kinds of information traffic stopped altogether.

So far, those who favor freedom of information are ahead of those who would sacrifice such out of desire to wring a bit more profit out of the networks they have built on land owned by private citizens. Join the fight. Notify your representatives of your endorsement for network neutrality.

Fin.

[The Toecutter]

Re: Net Neutrality is Mumbo Jumbo.

You cannot, except in certain specialized circumstances, negotiate for a different company to come hook you up. The sole benefit you receive for the Utility's use of your property (for the purpose of running their infrastructure) is the privilege of paying them for their service. They do not discount your bill, nor do you get a break on your taxes for your charitable contribution. This is government regulation that favors the utilities, and it is good, because if the free market ruled, infrastructure would be out of control.

Good? They should be paying private citizens for use of their property.

If a real free market were allowed to take hold, the monopolists and dinosaur corporations wouldn't be able to exist. If a market were truly free, the consumers, employees, and communities affected by business decisions would have a share in the decision making process, and not just shareholders. People would be compensated for personal and property damage caused by business practices, or alternatively, corporations wouldn't be granted the rights of invidual people without the same responsibilities.

There is a reason the 'hacker' movement came into being. Government-controlled monopolies and gigantic conglomerates are outdated. It's time to put the individual person in control.

[Chrome Homura]

Re: Net Neutrality is Mumbo Jumbo.

I still wonder how someone could say anything like that with a straight face.

Wtf is this world coming to?