Remember the anti-SOPA internet protests? Wikipedia, Mozilla, Google and countless other sites blocked out content (ranging from Google's logo to Wikipedia's entire site).
Similar tactics will be employed this Wednesday as Netflix (as well as the regular crew consisting of Reddit, Mozilla, etc) will be displaying a loading icon on their sites to symbolize the slower service some predict will accompany less internet regulation (the sites will not actually load slower).
Think about the buzz-term "net neutrality." In the spirit of UnSpun, what would be a more objective term for the regulatory climate Netflix is lobbying for? Is it wrong of these companies to demand tight restrictions on internet service (neutrality), yet few to none when it comes to internet content (SOPA)?
http://www.nationaljournal.com/tech/netflix-to-join-internet-slowdown-protest-over-net-neutrality-20140908
1 comment:
I do not agree with you at all that "net neutrality" is a buzzword that needs to rebranded.
It is perfectly appropriate that sites such as Netflix and Wikipedia expect regulation when it comes to distribution but less regulation when it comes to content.
The idea central to these organizations is the free flow of information. In order to preserve this free flow, it is necessary that all information is sent at the same rate. Theoretically, a 'fast-lane' plan would not restrict information, but everyone knows that is not true. The reality is that people tend to click off websites when they are taking too long to load.
Thus, the only way to make all information equally accessible is to keep the content free but the distribution locked to a consistent rate. This is the most neutral solution possible
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