This article presents opposite points of view on internet neutrality. The two authors joust with each other on the issue of whether the internet should become a competitive venture between cable and phone companies or remain the way it is with consumers paying one price for equal access to all that can be offered. If the internet did become competitive there is evidence that certain kinds of information/sites would be blocked, whether it was considered offensive to the company (a form of censorship) or threatening (competition). On the other side, we are presented with the opinion that openness and transparency coupled with regulations would keep companies from hurting or denying consumers all around access.
A few times the authors find themselves in agreement. Their common ground deals with the user being able to access what they wish and that the internet remains a viable and highly creative venue. The FCC with its current and potential future regulations is depicted as either fairly inept or conclusively all-powerful. The argument against the FCC points out their lack of technical knowledge regarding the intricacies of the web. The argument for net neutrality is more solid especially as it contains several examples of shady dealings already happening among the provider companies and paints a vivid picture of how bad this could get in the future.
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Question:
Do you think that the big phone and cable companies would be open and transparent about their practices – for example, eliminating access to certain sites?
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I think that they would almost have to be open and transparent. If I had a website and they decided to censor something that I felt shouldn't be censored, I would contact the company and ask a lot of questions. I do feel some things should be censored especially it it is illegal activity.
ReplyDeleteRachel
I think that the big phone and cable companies would eliminate access to certain sites because of competition. They would want the most customers so they would get rid of any threats.
ReplyDeleteI think if internet and phone companies controlled everything, there would be too much regulation on sites and too many extra fees. I have enough to pay for as it is I don't need my internet to cost extra.
ReplyDeleteI think that they would have to be open and transparent about what they do. People would find out if they blocked access to certain sights because if people went to those sites, they would not be able to access them. Then they would call the company and they would explain why they did it.
ReplyDeleteI cannot envision companies in control being explicit concerning their decisions about certain sites. If they were to control access, they would have no reason to explain themselves to us and I'm pretty sure that's how they would feel about it as well. As long as we would have to pay them to use the internet, they would be in control and we would be completely at their mercy.
ReplyDeleteHeck no. They are seedy, profit driven, soulless companies-they are not individuals they are companies and therefor NOT HELD RESPONSIBLE like a real human being is. I don't understand why they are given human rights...it is ridiculous. If they are going to make a profit by censoring well of course they are going to do it. Their object is money and nothing else.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a good way to get some high competition in and give big cable and internet companies more ways to charge their customers. But this would also bring another whole line of disagreements about who had the right to access certain site. It could turn into a big mess and cause the big cable and internet companies more problems than its worth. Big cable and internet companies would have to almost be ok with it only for the practical issue of money rules all.
ReplyDeleteNo. I think if it would benefit them, they would extend the truth or bend it so that any sites that take away from their profit (or potential) would find something wrong with it and find reasons to eliminate that site. Though in the same breath, I don't feel it is or would be just them doing it-everyone does when it comes down to the buck.
ReplyDelete"the best things in life are free...but you can give them to the birds and bees...i need money"
ReplyDeleteI can see this happening just because there is so much money to be made in this industry. Its just a matter of finding a way to do it that is appealing to consumers who already get this for free. There needs to be more of an appeal for this to ever work without an uproar. I would obviously disagree with it but ask me again if Im ever a president of a phone company...
Big companies will only be as open and transparent as we can force them to be. Their goal is to make money, and true openness does not help do that.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it would be a good idea for big phone and cable companies to have control of the Internet. Prices would rise, competition would build, and there would be too many cites blocked and regulated. The Internet should be an open-forum. I like things the way they are!
ReplyDeleteI don't think there are any big companies that are transparent about their dealings.
ReplyDelete