Call to arms, yada, yada, yada

[ca9i]

Net neutrality.

I know this communtiy isn't a soap box for one's personal political slant and message boards as a forum(no pun intended) to promote politics are of a debatable use. However if one person reads this and votes for a net neutrality throughout the US it would be a good thing.

Is there anything I can say to sell this on these boards?

Can't

Comments

[ilana_gefen]

I agree with you on this subject, but I have to nitpick...

The down side?

...

And it might even encourage the next generation of hackers... apart from that I can't think of a thing?How does net neutrality encourage hackers? Net neutrality (or lack thereof) has little to nothing to do with computer security

The reverse is true IMO

[prezzey]

I'm pretty sure a lack of network neutrality would encourage hackers, after all they do want to make their data reach the desired endpoints and vice versa, and that might be seriously endangered. I'm not a hacker, but it would encourage even me to try and, um, find ways around stuff (especially since I am not a big company, so I would probably be at a disadvantage in this probable future).

[tyrsalvia]

Speaking as the founder and co-maintainer of this community... it would really help me if someone could write a really good explanation of net neutrality and why it's a big deal, and add in some links as to what we (as laypersons) can do to support it (orgs we can give money to? legislators to write to? etc

[persephoneflame]

"Network Neutrality" -- the First Amendment of the Internet -- ensures that the public can view the smallest blog just as easily as the largest corporate Web site by preventing Internet companies like AT&T from rigging the playing field for only the highest-paying sites.

Save the Internet: What is Net Neutrality?

Network neutrality is the principle that Internet users should be in control of what content they view and what applications they use on the Internet. The Internet has operated according to this neutrality principle since its earliest days. Indeed, it is this neutrality that has allowed many companies, including Google, to launch, grow, and innovate. Fundamentally, net neutrality is about equal access to the Internet.

Google Help Page on Net Neutrality

Network neutrality (equivalently "net neutrality", "internet neutrality" or "NN") refers to a principle applied to residential broadband networks which provide Internet access, telephone service, and television programming
Wiki article on Network Neutrality

Here's a start,

[ilana_gefen]

Here's a bit more information at Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_Neutrality). Bold face added by me: Network neutrality (equivalently "net neutrality", "internet neutrality" or "NN") refers to a principle applied to residential broadband networks which provide Internet access, telephone service, and television programming. Precise definitions vary, but a broadband network free of arbitrary restrictions on the kinds of equipment attached and the modes of communication allowed would be considered neutral by most advocates, provided it met additional tests relating to the degradation of various communication streams by others. Arguably, no network is completely neutral, hence neutrality represents an ideal condition toward which networks and their operators may strive.

And this is under the "Monopolies and competition versus Network Neutrality" heading in the same article:
Generally, a network which blocks some nodes or services for the

[tyrsalvia]

Thanks!

So what would a non-neutral internet look like? Would it mean that because I use Earthlink, I might not be able to access content published by a Cox Cable subscriber? Would it mean that there would be some email I wouldn't be able to read with Firefox?

I think I get the concept of what net neutrality *is* - but now it's hard to understand what it would be like without it.

[prezzey]

Um, well, I support network neutrality and I'm an Orthodox Jew. Why would "orthodox religions" be against it? I don't think there is anything in Judaism that would make net neutrality especially abhorrent. (Same goes for the other orthodox religions, I guess.)

I also think a government would be for it rather than against by default (especially if it's somewhat left-wing), but I've noticed we in Europe expect a government to do different things than Americans. (no offense intended! I simply mean that European countries are usually much bigger on playing "welfare state", more equality for citizens, less freedom for companies, more regulated economy. Which can be good if you're an employee, bad if you're an entrepreneur, it all depends on your POV.)

[ca9i]

'prezzy' sez:
"Why would "orthodox religions" be against it?... I also think a government would be for it rather than against by default"

Good questions that I should of answered when I posted this topic.

I'm not suggesting a distopian future. This is already happening. Some muslim countries in the middle-east have censored access to the internet as have countries in the far east, china amongst them. Also the US senate almost let one bill in last year that would of finished net neutrality. Net neutrality in the US is the best guarantee of free speech in the 'global village'.

[ca9i]

I don't know. It was a throw away comment because I was a little embrassed about posting up what was more or less political spam but...

That's a bit like saying a lack of saw, hammer & nails is likely to encourage kids to become carpenters.

However I do see your point. If an network reworked to benefit only the rich came about many would get pissed at this ineqaulity and hack.
But the problem with that logic is like telling kids today that have far less civl rights today than you did at thier age. They didn't grow up with it so they don't feel the loss.