Network Neutrailty?

[wisedude]

What do you guys think on the issue of network neutrality? Should ISP's be allowed to shape traffic and effectively charge to not be censored? Who's in favor and against? I'm pretty sure it seems both dems and repubs aren't standing up for our online rights...

[Locke]

It's obviously an issue being avoided by the media, as to not inform the population about the ongoing debate. I myself do not have much knowledge of the situation (or what an ISP is, for that matter). The internet needs to remain effectively uncensored, as it is really the one form of media in which people have true freedom of speech. Giving the power of censorship to a certain group in the name of "security" would be unwise, regardless of actual intent.

[Mitch]

I agree with Locke on this issue.
ISPs (Internet Service Providers you're using Shaw, Locke) should not have the right to censor online content or what you may access online. This would completely contradict the point of the internet. It is a "network" where we have freedom to speak freely, this forum for example :).
A while back, Wikipedia was going to censor some of their content by demand of the Chinese government, but decided against it for those exact reasons.

[jpd1975]

The sad fact of the matter is that as long as people can get their online banking and order their clothes, toys and purses online they don't care about freedom of speech -
in the past 6 years we've watch one after another of the 10 amendments of the Bill of Rights torn to shreds - and no one will speak up until they can't get their conveniences - only when they feel the sting of an oppressive government will they want to wake up.

[Locke]

Many of these issues are dictated in terms of potential, and not current usage. People now do for the most part use the internet as a outlet for their consumerist nature, but the fact is that if censored there will not be a smidgeon of a chance that people will ever wake up.

... ISPs (Internet Service Providers you're using Shaw, Locke)
Someone's gonna have to school me on how one discovers these things.

[Mitch]

I have admin access to the site and can track your IP address, so I just got your service provider, I can get more, but I won't post that here, I'm not that kinda guy. :p

[Gwendl]

While the concept of net neutrality is one of good intentions, I'm not sure that letting Congress mess around with it is good either. Either way, the end user will probably be the one left holding the bag.

[Prometheus]

I don't exactly have a lot knowledge on this subject, but it seems there are two sides. One side is government control, keeping ISPs from censoring the internet, the other is the absence of government, letting ISPs do what ever they want. Correct me if I am wrong.

While I am against larger government, I think everything possible must be done to ensure information is not censored. Letting government regulate may back-fire in the future though, as they just might censor things themselves.

[Locke]

I don't exactly have a lot knowledge on this subject, but it seems there are two sides. One side is government control, keeping ISPs from censoring the internet, the other is the absence of government, letting ISPs do what ever they want. Correct me if I am wrong.



I believe there is also a third, the party whose constituents are the everyday users of the internet. The issue is that governments themselves may censor information (e.g. China), and a corporate dominance may lead to the same thing.