Net Neutrality is extremely important, but it's not yet established. If you don't want to pay more for less service read on further, or jump down to WHAT YOU CAN DO! Wiki definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_neutrality Comic for picture learners: http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=8799039 Basically, ISPs (Comcast, TimeWarner, Cox, Verizon, etc.) will be able to control the type of content you have access to and charge services you love (Netflix, Pinterest, Steam, Facebook, your website) more in order to get "preferential" treatment - in other words, they will have to pay the ISPs to not be blocked or slowed down to a useless crawl when you use those sites when they don't want you to. This will result in ALL OF US having to pay more (once simply to gain internet access, and again to then access sites we love quickly and clearly). And as the quality and scope of technology continues to become more prevalent in our lives, we'll need more broadband usage in the future. The FCC recently proposed a "fast lane" option - named after the lanes on the highway where, after you already payed to build and maintain the highways in taxes, if you have more money, you can avoid other traffic and go faster (http://gizmodo.com/to-be-honest-this-is-the-way-pricing-should-work-und-1523927357). DATA IS NOT A FINITE RESOURCE, unlike water or oil. To compare the internet to a highway again, the telecom companies are trying to squeeze more(data) traffic onto (broadband cable) roads that they did not completely pay for to gain more profit. And instead of building or improving current roads (broadband networks) that they got at a discount, they are just trying to squeeze the public for more money. The internet is destined to become a nightmare metropolitan traffic jam where telecoms are the toll collectors with little to no restrictions on who they collect from and why. How it started: http://www.wired.com/2013/11/so-the-internets-about-to-lose-its-net-neutrality/ Quotes from the article (emphasis mine):"The CEO of AT&T told an interviewer back in 2005 that he wanted to introduce a new business model to the internet: charging companies like Google and Yahoo! to reliably reach internet users on the AT&T network. Keep in mind that users already pay to access the internet and that Google and Yahoo! already pay other telecom companies — often called backbone providers — to connect to these internet users. [Disclosure: I have done legal work for several companies supporting network neutrality, including Google.] But AT&T wanted to add an additional toll, beyond what it already made from the internet. Shortly after that, a Verizon executive voiced agreement, hoping to end what he called tech companies’ “free lunch”. It turns out that around the same time, Comcast had begun secretly trialing services to block some of the web’s most popular applications that could pose a competitive threat to Comcast, such as BitTorrent." "...the FCC would be unable to stop cable and phone companies from taxing innovators or providing worse service to some sites and better service to others. Since we know internet users tend to quit using a website or application if it loads even just a few seconds slower than a competitor’s version, this no-blocking rule would essentially have enabled the phone and cable companies to discriminate by picking website/app/platform winners and losers." The reality is that much of the infrastructure for internet was payed for and subsidized by taxpayers, but then exploited by telecommunications companies. It was intended to bring quality access and affordability to rich, poor, urban and rural communities. Short Summary of how WE payed for the internet they are now charging us more for: http://www.newnetworks.com/ShortSCANDALSummary.htm. Many of you have already conceded to your wireless provider (Verizon, AT&T, etc.) that you're willing to pay more for less internet access (how often do you have to decide whether to use the $200+ phone and service you already paid for, or wait until you get home to use the $400+ computer and internet that you already paid for? How much more are you willing to pay just to decide which one you'll have to use less?). Bandwidth caps aren't meant for what they say: http://socialmediacollective.org/2011/12/05/bandwidth-hogs-dont-exist/ & http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20...caps-have-nothing-to-do-with-congestion.shtml. What you need to know is that bandwidth caps (overage charges past a certain number of GB of data you use) are not in place because it costs the ISPs more money, it simply MAKES THEM MORE MONEY. Just like text messages (which cost them almost NO money, but cost us A LOT of money: http://www.topclassactions.com/laws...d-destroying-evidence-text-pricing-collusion/) A book on the matter: http://www.amazon.com/The-300-Billi...qid=1392356378&sr=8-1&keywords=Bruce+Kushnick & some snippets: http://www.newnetworks.com/broadbandscandals.htm PBS interview: http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2007/pulpit_20070810_002683.html More here: http://gigaom.com/2012/10/01/data-caps-chart/ Tired of deciding whether google maps or your email is more important when you're running out of data? Go here: http://stopthecap.com/ WHY DOES THIS MATTER?: The internet in its current form is mostly free and open. Just as everyone needs a phone line to participate in our modern society, everyone needs access to the internet to function as well. If we don't work together to establish better rules for the internet then our middle class, low income, rural, small businesses, churches and more will have less access to the vital communications and services that the internet currently offers. Everyone will simply be charged MORE for LESS service. WHAT YOU CAN DO: Sign the Petition to tell the FCC that "fast lanes" won't work for net neutrality (you'll have to sign up with whitehouse.gov - a good thing for future issues!): https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/pe...ct-freedom-information-united-states/9sxxdBgy ALSO: Go to OpenCongress & type in your zipcode. Pick up the phone and call each of the these folks. Believe it or not, someone will answer the phone, and phone calls make a difference. Tell them to "Have the FCC classify internet as a Title II common carrier." Ask them to repeat what they wrote down. Optional step: Call the FCC commissioners on their personal lines & tell them the same thing. Be polite. Calling them directly seems to be making an impact. Do it Today: The FCC is voting to kill net neutrality this Thursday, and they stop listening to public comments this Wednesday at midnight. Make sure you call before Wednesday. Live near D.C.? Attend the meeting!
It's pretty ridiculous that ISPs are trying to do this. If this happens I have a feeling that Darknets will become immensely popular, I.E. I2P, Retroshare, Freenet. America the home of the bought out politicians.
When will people start to realize that there is no such thing as freedom or free in this world. People freaking out... called "Internet freedom" is lease our worries.
^^ there bloody well is... it's called 'the freedom to choose'... but i get the statement clearly. can't really choose if there's no choice?! this is something that's plaguing the ordinary user, they can still go online, or not. if they choose 'not' that means the telecom companies lose that head of income, the more individuals that get raped by gvt sponsored $$$ launderers, they more of them walk. (could be the internet is reduced overall? hell, if i was a ruling monarch or gvt agency, i can see this fitting the plan, disconnect as many folks from the digital grid by any means available, charging for services that's fuckall to do with them, then down comes the hammer of dominion) ... on the other hand, if ISP's are allowed to, in effect, STEAL money from folks charging for a service that's not theirs, i can see a MASSIVE backlash. sadly, the powers that be already accepted that and have a contingency plan to make money if that fails, we ALL know what that is?! further more, the bills were paid in advance by the customer, if this is allowed, they'll be a dangerous example set, one of which means 'crime pays, DO IT OR WE DO YOU!' and i doubt that would go down too easy... still, living in this shithole has taught me NEVER to rule out what the power of influence and $$$ can do! time will tell, but i'm over half way on the side that it WON'T happen! (60% positive, the 40% remains, other)
You got to understand that people like us are nothing because we not important, we are bait to them. We have been used because they want our money. It all about Money and power! This world runs by money! As long money is involved then you will never have a REAL freedom unless you are mega rich and therefore they will give you their respect and power. Nobody gives a fuck about us and families. It is sad but true.
It is called Troll, You shouldn't have feed me. Let get down to the point This news is pretty old now. whole thing about neutrality been going quite some time now.
You people worry too much. It's good, of course (the discussion). The vast majority of people that doesn't care need this kind of information (from this "side"). But don't need to worry that the thing will become so dramatic. If everything fails, some politics will come with a project of "state internet", just like some energy/water/postal distribution are in some places. And they can be elected for that. The ISPs just can't be so greedy like some people portrait. Internet can be considered essential, and the government will have to do something.
How about get off the computer, smartphone and TV and spend time traveling around the world. All your worries and stress are free.
Or you can just play Flight Simulator and travel the world. No worries and stress at all. It's unlikely that the government will be logging everytime you download the real time weather of Washington or New York...
Haha nice one. I never tried the flight simulation video game, closest thing I ever done is skydiving in reality. I highly recommended anyone should do it. Amazing!
You're from Brazil where they just passed net neutrality into law. Do you even know how US government works? The cable companies are lobbying hard for this, and the head of the FCC used to work for Comcast! No joke! SOPA and PIPA didn't go through because not only did the populace protest, but so did the corporations. Many sites put up banners and informed people. This is not drumming up as much backlash and is moving forward.
I don't know if you're trolling, but the business worshiping conservatives got corporations this large and manipulative. I do not identify with any party though, and people who just insult the opposite party are just doing pop politics which is kids' shit.
I'm no troll, libs are the ones who started this idea. Even though there are some who oppose it there are still more libs than any other group/party doing it. I take no sides either, just call it how I see it. I could say more about it, but that kind of talk would probably result in a ban, and finally it's not worth being banned for a simple conversation. To sum it up without breaking any rules: The government,media,Hollywood and most schools are connected with how they think and what they do.
I don't understand why people still use the incredibly transparent "I don't take sides" ploy when everything anyone says is biased in some way.
