On equal access to knowledge for all… on net neutrality
Posted by Kris on April 20th, 2008
Some of my friends and colleagues may have heard me go on a rant or two about net neutrality or equal information access. Hopefully this post will describe my stance a bit better. Those who know me know that I stand strong for open knowledge and easily accessible information for all of us in the world. This includes upholding open document standards and the opposition of tiered-internet infrastructures. But most people that use computers these days, I am afraid, don’t think or feel that these ideals will affect their day-to-day computer usage that they partake in.
Well, I happen to think that it not only affects your daily pursuit of knowledge and you work in whatever field you are in, but it also greatly affects the way we work together as a society, create and bring new ideas into fruition, and nurture successful generations to follow.
Last Thursday, the FCC held a public hearing on net neutrality. 5 commissioners from the FCC joined and heard from leading public scientists, network operators, and entrepreneurs. 2 commissioners were in support of network neutrality, 2 against, and one neutral (pun intended). Also, Comcast and many other carriers were invited to the hearing; however, they declined.
Here is the video from the hearing as well as other snippets on the topic:
Jason Devitt, CEO of Skydeck, testifies at the FCC Hearing
Law Professor Lawrence Lessig on Net Neutrality and the Rise of Google
From Barack Obama’s address at Google
You’ll notice I stuck a button on the right of my site in support of net neutrality. I’ll be calling my senator and representatives on Monday morning to let them know of my support of net neutrality and a new Act working its way through the House of Representatives. I urge you to do the same. It is critical to recognize that issues such as Verizon winning the FCC spectrum auction to Microsoft’s OOXML as a international standard to Comcast breaking fundamental ethical and technical ways of the internet are of utmost importance to our current age, culture, and political era.
In the end, regardless of the specific topic at hand, be cognizant of those trying to disrupt and block the progressive movement that is before us. Especially when it involves profit rather than progress. Especially when that blocking impedes our societal learning, sharing, innovation, creativity, and global and equal access to information for all.
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