Every once in a while the government and the courts system sticks its nose in places where it doesn’t truly understand what the eff is going on, and this week that place is the Internet. The death of net neutrality has sparked controversy and outrage across all forums, and for good reason.
Many still don’t understand the concept, but when broken down it’s easy to understand. Perhaps appropriately, Twitter tells you everything you need to know about net neutrality (for as long as the Net is still neutral, at least).
In a nutshell, the death of net neutrality means:
It’s now legal for ISPs in the US to block whatever content they want from their customer’s Internet: http://t.co/Sr9tmcGddv #NetNeutrality
— Anonymous (@YourAnonNews) January 15, 2014
If you’re a visual learner and need a physical example of what net neutrality would look like if it were a traffic jam, here’s a great one.
Dear America: The #NetNeutrality ruling is the ‘bridgegate’ of the Internet. Except it will halt more than just some cars. #getangry — Streets Dept (@StreetsDept) January 15, 2014
This means that you should probably prepare yourself.
Prepare To Be Robbed: Net Neutrality Is Dead! http://t.co/BbJladidfB — GoingSony (@GoingSony) January 16, 2014
Because now that ISPs don’t have to treat all content on the Internet the same, they can discriminate against what content actually makes it to your computer at home. Run a small website that Verizon shoved to the side? No need to worry! With a hefty fee you too can make sure your website loads quickly and reaches audiences just as effectively as it did before net neutrality got gutted. Slamming a startup with huge fees just so they can get their content out there means no more startups.
Net Neutrality rules allowed small & large orgs an equal opportunity to reach an audience online. Not anymore http://t.co/9QFFFNURC8
— Roxane Papagiannopou (@rmpapag) January 16, 2014
No more net neutrality also means that ISPs can block entire types of web traffic like peer to peer file sharing and online video streaming. Love Netflix? So does this guy, but without net neutrality the video and movie service may not withstand the test of time.
Dear @Netflix_CA, I love you so much. Please don’t increase your prices because of US net neutrality policies. It’d break my heart. -Trent — Trent Seely (@InstaTrent) January 16, 2014
Since many ISPs are also cable TV providers, services like online video streaming (as FilmOn provides) aren’t good for their bottom line. Hello, capitalism.
net neutrality is dead. enjoy your Corporate Branding Machine & Customer Preference Discovery Protocol forever.
— Brendan Hines (@brendan_hines) January 15, 2014
But it’s all going to be okay!….right?
It’s OK that Net Neutrality died ’cause the big ISPs say they won’t abuse their new powers & corporations never lie or change their minds 😀
— Clay-zulah (@clayzulah) January 16, 2014
Maybe not. Let’s just say that approximately…no one…is happy about this.
Fucking governments won’t just leave the Internet alone. They have the “fix” it. http://t.co/iUvRGkbgPN
— Anonymous (@YourAnonNews) January 14, 2014
And this about sums it up.
Well internet, it was fun while it lasted. Corporate America, you are a dirty whore. http://t.co/ons51Ggev6 #Verizon #Comcast
— K.M. (@KMau_) January 16, 2014
RIP Internet. 1997-2014
Watch all of the latest news on web and technology breakthroughs on This Week in Startups on FilmOn:
You might also like:
Three major consumer advocacy groups step up to support FilmOn and the public interest against the D.C. Court of Appeals
FilmOn continues battle to serve customers in New England
A Twitter anatomy of Chris Christie’s Bridgegate
Follow TV Mix on Twitter: @tvmixusa
Contact TV Mix: editors@tvmix.com
SOURCE: TVMix.com
