Thursday, August 5, 2010

The End Of The Internet As We Know It

Excerpted from an article in the Huffpost by Josh Silver.


For years, Internet advocates have warned of the doomsday scenario that will play out on Monday: Google and Verizon will announce a deal that the New York Times reports "could allow Verizon to speed some online content to Internet users more quickly if the content's creators are willing to pay for the privilege." 

The deal marks the beginning of the end of the Internet as you know it. Since its beginnings, the Net was a level playing field that allowed all content to move at the same speed, whether it's ABC News or your uncle's video blog. That's all about to change, and the result couldn't be more bleak for the future of the Internet, for television, radio and independent voices. 

How did this happen? We have a Federal Communications Commission that has been denied authority by the courts to police the activities of Internet service providers like Verizon and Comcast. All because of a bad decision by the Bush-era FCC. We have a pro-industry FCC Chairman who is terrified of making a decision, conducting back room dealmaking, and willing to sit on his hands rather than reassert his agency's authority. We have a president who promised to "take a back seat to no one on Net Neutrality" yet remains silent. We have a congress that is nearly completely captured by industry. Yes, more than half of the US congress will do pretty much whatever the phone and cable companies ask them to. Add the clout of Google, and you have near-complete control of Capitol Hill.

This is a serious mega-money takeover folks.  It won't be long before it's like network television only this time, you will be paying to see commercials.  Don't know who to complain to but your local congressman is a good start.

14 comments:

  1. I hate Verizon, so it figures. I have been thinking about the comment you left on my page. I should address it there.

    For what it's worth, I complained to my congressman, senator, president and anyone else who wore a suit about the bailout. So did everyone else I know. If business and big money want it, we will be ignored.

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  3. "Don't know who to complain to but your local congressman is a good start."
    I can not think of greater waste of time and energy.
    Anyone recomemding contacting congressmen to help the little guy is just not paying attention.
    (1st just too tacky)

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  4. I am with you Punch. A total waste of time. I can't tell you how many times I was blown off by Ben Nelson's office during the "health care" debate debacle. "Yes, thank you sir for calling, we will relay your message to the senator". Uh huh.

    Plug up your bung holes fellow bloggers, and don't bend over...the corporate rape squad is standing in the wings.

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  5. I hope that this doesn't happen. What a shame that would be.

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  6. Congress people react to numbers. An email doesn't take much time and you never know. Or, email some other congressperson, like Alan Grayson. Whatever.

    One thing's for sure, doing nothing accomplishes nothing.

    Glad you deleted the first comment Punch. It's had to imagine a bigger asshole than the comment you left.

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  7. So true, Mr. Charleston. Doing nothing accomplishes nothing. Scary stuff here, scary. What the hell is the FCC for???!

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  8. Complain to your banks. especially if you do like they want and do all of your banking on line. Pit the second biggest lobbyists against the third biggest lobbyists. Unless of course your bank is going to now start charging you for going paperless and using atms and shit that use the internet to save them employee costs. Fuck 'em all. I can still go to a teller for free and I lived forty five years without the internet.

    I hate to say it but it is true President Obama is a pussy when it comes to a fight. His shit would get smoked in the D. His motorcade would get jacked and he'd try to talk reason to the thugs beating his ass.

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  9. The Owners are counting on our apathy and despair so business can continue to have their way with us. Pitting lobbyists against each other sounds like a fine idea since that's the way the game is played.

    Years ago, people said, "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem." I think ACT UP said it better in the 70's with:
    Silence = Death

    Further, no matter what Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin have to say, Libertarian Teabaggers are not going to support paying money for shit they already get for free. Net Neutrality is not the same kind of issue as War and Health Care.

    But if we don't speak up, we lose for sure.
    Silence = Death

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  10. Thought of you
    http://www.alfranken.com/index.php/splash/netneutrality

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  11. Not everyone thinks petitions work but I think they have an influence - if there are enough signatures. Bold Progressives, MoveOn and several other organiztions have joined forces to petition for Net Neutrality.

    http://act.boldprogressives.org/cms/sign/google_evil/?source=auto-e&referring_akid=1812.336358.fDozhw

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  12. I would agree with Mr. Charleston that it helps to email as well. As he says, numbers count.

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  13. oh God, whats next? our rights to breathe?

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