Let me be clear here. For the past two weeks it has been entertaining to watch the implosion from Nevada as the faux cowboy Bundy has been revealed as a racist anti government conservative. It wasn't particularly a huge shocker to many here in the community who intuitively spotted the mans racist dog whistles.
Can I ask a simple question though? Are we CNN? Do we need to follow every singular aspect of this story as if it is a missing plane? I hope not. I'm on a bus going to DC right now and have been searching for more news here on Net Neutrality. I understand that it is not a sexy topic and have read Joan's reporting on it but comparatively speaking they are not even in the same league together.
One issue fundmentally changes the nature of the internet, innovation, and our community while the other affects no one beyond outrage over his words and revealing (shockingly) that republicans are racist.
Currently the petition at WhiteHouse.gov has garnered over 21,000 signatures but is still short the 25k it needs to have an official response.
Please go here and sign if you have not already.
I thought this was a great analogy from our own Pajoly
we can think about this as being more important than just access or even high speed access. It's about what's placed inside that access. Here's another analogy. I'll use Halloween. This might be a little weak...
House 1: There a big tub of pretty much every candy you can imagine, not a one of them the same. The homeowner smiles and invites you dig through and pick a few most appealing to you. Bonanza!
-- That's the Internet today for a high speed subscriber.
House 2: Nice lady there too. No big tub, but a small bowl. Still, none of the candies are alike and she welcomes you to pick the one you want. That ain't so bad. Still boundless choice, no restrictions on what you pick.
-- That's the Internet today for a rural subscriber with no speed access.
House 3: Ornery dude there annoyed by your presence. He points to big bucket on the porch overflowing with just two types of candy - little packs of Amazon candy corn or a piece of Wal-Mart bubble gum. Behind him you can see some pre-made bags, each filled with quite a few of the top brand candies. You say, "Trick or treat!" He says, "Basic or premium. Premium will cost ya." "Umm, basic then please." He reaches in, grabs a piece of Wal-Mart bubble gum and puts in your bag. "Now scram kid."
-- That's kinda like the Internet if Net Neutrality dies.
I am pulling into DC now & writing this on my phone but I can't stress the importance of focusing on Net Neutrality right now over entertaining side shows. I'mnot sure how in the long run how Bundy will change my life but if the FCC chairman Wheeler has his proposed rules adopted we will be turning the internet from a free society into an oligarchy. One lane for those who can pay & one for the poor who can not. Haven't we gone down that road enough already?
Look at the cast opposition coming from Dems in the house & senate. Let's support them and beat back this ever encroaching hydra that will continue to grow new heads with each defeat.