Net Neutrality

I figured I should add my blogging voice to the growing cacophony in the so-called blogosphere about the subject. I’m sure that most of you have heard about the debate, but I doubt that any of you could really explain what it is all about. Granted, its not your fault. The mainstream media really has no clue as to what this all means, thus, they can’t hardly describe it in any sort of way that makes sense. Really, what this boils down to is that big companies want to have faster access to the internet than regular old joe schmoe. Of course, this completely ignores one of the best features of the internet is its egalitarianism. Every bit of data is treated equally. From the most important piece of email to the least important video clip of someone getting kicked in the balls. It doesn’t matter. A bit, is a bit, is a bit. But, the major corporations want to tell you that THEIR traffic is more important than your traffic. They want to create a tiered internet, with only the exalted few (read: those willing to pay huge fees) will get priority access over all other traffic.

I have a couple clips for you to see, compliments of the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. It is amazing that although his job is to mock the absolute insanity of our elected officials (of which, there is MORE than enough to go around), he does so in such a way that really makes you see just how asinine some of these people are. First up is a clip about Sen. Ted Stevens, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman, ranting about the ‘internets’. You might have seen this already, but its worth another look.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uuJh4bv-fg

Here is another piece from the Daily Show. More about the net neutrality debate in congress.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc06y7iaZ20

The little inside joke about the PC is that Mac commercial that is on TV… this guy plays the ‘PC’ computer that freezes up.

Anyway, this is a very important issue. This bill wants to fundamentally change the way the internet works. Apparently, what they don’t realize is that the very reason the internet grew so quickly and so successfully is its openness. Another good analogy of this debate can be found here: Paying by the Stroll. This puts the neutrality debate in terms that everyone can understand… a sidewalk.

Anyway, on any one of about a million blogs out there you can find every argument under the sun as to why this is a bad deal. I’m going to defer to people who are far smarter than I am, yet who I agree with. This is a bad idea. Call your congressman and hope they have more technical understanding than your grandpa does.