Net Neutrality

[Paul Tao]

Just wondering what people's thoughts are on Net Neutrality and any possible Net Neutrality legislation that could be passed.

Here are links to arguments for and against, for those of you unfamiliar with the topic:

General:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_neutrality
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB114839410026160648-l8Cd7lakn_8givyNOVIeReUDNLw_2007052 3.html?mod=rss_free

Opposing:
http://handsoff.org/
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/50745.html?u=crbuys&p=ENNSS_0be3a1d63b951703605297a4550 9e5e9
http://www.onlyrepublican.com/orinsf/2006/04/net_neutrality__2.html

Advocating:
http://www.savetheinternet.com/
http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/EPO0607.pdf
http://telephonyonline.com/regulatory/news/bell_internet_coalitiion_042406/

[Lueda Alia]

Is this about Networks (your ISP) choosing what websites you browse? Basically, they'll let you browse only websites that pay them? Or am I completely off track?

[Paul Tao]

Is this about Networks (your ISP) choosing what websites you browse? Basically, they'll let you browse only websites that pay them? Or am I completely off track?
Well, sort of, but not really. Basically, without net neutrality, in the future, service providers can give websites who pay them more faster websites, and net neutrality legislation wants to keep them from doing that (but at the same time, this means the government will start regulating the internet, which has been a big no-no for a long time). You should read the wikipedia article and the other ones to learn a bit more though... that's why I posted links :)

[Paul Tao]

I would have thought that, for an internet community, there would be more discussion of this topic.

[matty-xo]

I think that for an guy who uses the internet, you would realize that no one wants to go through a list of 10+ links and research about the subject. Probably would have been better off to have summarized what net neutrality is all about, the opposing, and advocating arguments.

[preppyak]

I think that for an guy who uses the internet, you would realize that no one wants to go through a list of 10+ links and research about the subject. Probably would have been better off to have summarized what net neutrality is all about, the opposing, and advocating arguments. Except then you have the typical biased, bullshit debate that always happens...with uninformed people on each side. Instead, he is giving people a start to being informed before they debate...apparently a novel idea

Especially since the line of debate is so small in this one...some sides are even claiming the same things

[A picasso blue]

I would have thought that, for an internet community, there would be more discussion of this topic.
i think it was posted in the news section

[Paul Tao]

i think it was posted in the news section

Yeah. It was posted after this thread was made.

Except then you have the typical biased, bullshit debate that always happens...with uninformed people on each side. Instead, he is giving people a start to being informed before they debate...apparently a novel idea

Especially since the line of debate is so small in this one...some sides are even claiming the same things

Yeah exactly. Imagine that, informing people with arguments from experts on both sides without trying to inject my personal bias. Hmmmm.

[mutualaddiction]

This thread needs bumped. Why doesn't anyone seem to care about Net Neutrality?

https://secure.freepress.net/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=356

[GeeBee]

Because it's a dead topic.

[Praetor]

I am quite scared about Republican opposition to this bill. I mean, the bill itself will probably get passed, but still.

[saysmydoctor]

I'm not sure how you can oppose this.

[MyNameIsRoss]

booo china

[Jason Tate]

I am quite scared about Republican opposition to this bill. I mean, the bill itself will probably get passed, but still.
This.

What the hell.

[Mitch]

I think many people opposed to net neutrality simply have no idea what it actually means. Take Beck and Kerpen for example. (http://thinkprogress.org/2009/10/20/beck-kerpen-net-neutrality/)

[mutualaddiction]

I think many people opposed to net neutrality simply have no idea what it actually means. Take Beck and Kerpen for example. (http://thinkprogress.org/2009/10/20/beck-kerpen-net-neutrality/)


I hate how republicans/big business use the word freedom. "Net neutrality is an attack on YOUR freedom" noooo net neutrality protects OUR freedom FROM big business and power hungry republicans.

[Ryan Imhof]

Just started educating myself on this topic.. I feel like we should just leave the internet alone. It's thriving, and it really has become something amazing. Once you start to get corporate businesses involved, you will begin to kill the little guy, killing all of these smaller websites that are able to attract a niche online, and letting the bigger and already developed sites become larger. It's all about taking the choice away from the consumer when corporations get involved. I like to make my own decisions. I see no upsides to allowing ISP's to determine where I go and monitor what I do or/and how much megabytes I can use a month when looking at this from a consumer point of view. If anyone wants to enlighten me, feel free..

[bernie16wb]

Just started educating myself on this topic.. I feel like we should just leave the internet alone. It's thriving, and it really has become something amazing. Once you start to get corporate businesses involved, you will begin to kill the little guy, killing all of these smaller websites that are able to attract a niche online, and letting the bigger and already developed sites become larger. It's all about taking the choice away from the consumer when corporations get involved. I like to make my own decisions. I see no upsides to allowing ISP's to determine where I go and monitor what I do or/and how much megabytes I can use a month when looking at this from a consumer point of view. If anyone wants to enlighten me, feel free..
That's what the legislation is for, it makes it so that companies can limit or throttle your use based on what your using it for.

Time Warner can't slow or block me from viewing CNN or something just because CNN is owned by Verizon. (all hypothetical).

The idea is to keep it free and open.

[thursday727]

Well, sort of, but not really. Basically, without net neutrality, in the future, service providers can give websites who pay them more faster websites, and net neutrality legislation wants to keep them from doing that (but at the same time, this means the government will start regulating the internet, which has been a big no-no for a long time). You should read the wikipedia article and the other ones to learn a bit more though... that's why I posted links :)
I guess i'm for Net Neutrality , but what are the implications of goverment regulation of the internet?

[Praetor]

I guess i'm for Net Neutrality , but what are the implications of goverment regulation of the internet?
It's not really government regulation of the internet, it's government regulation of corporate regulation of the internet. I understand your concern but let's be logical here.