CSS 410 Creation of The Internet Has Changed the World Discussion

Respond to at least three classmates by taking and defending the opposing position.The creation of the internet has changed the world. Not only do Americans have access to limitless libraries of information and content, but their ability to purchase goods and services from online businesses has grown exponentially. The jaw dropping expansion of internet enterprises–as well as the inexpensive products and services they provide–can be attributed to the freedom the internet has enjoyed from government regulations over a majority of the past two decades. But this all changed in 2015 when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)–under order from the previous Administration–instituted a policy called the Open Internet Order. The policy, commonly referred to as net neutrality, overturned decades of precedent that treated the internet as a realm where private individuals and groups could freely act and express ideas without the presence of government intervention–harming innovation and thwarting the ability of businesses to freely compete for consumer dollars. While the term, “net neutrality,” conveys ideas of individual and business equity, the misleading phrase actually means government regulation of the internet.The previous Administration’s decision to apply the same rules to the internet as they did to the telecommunications industry of the early twentieth century was a mistake. The internet is quite different than traditional utilities–such as electricity or water. The expensive upfront investments that lead to monopolies in these industries don’t apply to internet service providers (ISP). In fact, while there are only a handful of traditional utility providers, there are roughly 4,400 ISPs across the country. When this level of competition is naturally present, government involvement will only impede internet consumers and businesses alike.But there’s good news. The new FCC chairman has taken a hard stance on the issue–vowing to open up the internet to pure free market competition once again. By removing the policy of net neutrality, the Trump Administration and his FCC chairman will not only remove government barriers from internet commerce, but will allow internet companies to thrive and consumer needs to be met more efficiently. (informationstation.org)2.The government regulating access would create a more effective internet. In Chapter 16-4i under “Does Information Want to Be Free” it states that giant media corporations who take advantage of their market power and hardball tactics to enrich themselves at our expense. Social media like Facebook treat their users like unpaid laborers, profiting from the content that users upload, without sharing the profits from advertisers with Internet users. Corporations use copyrights and patents to control the internet. (Chapter 16-4i) Under these references, it sounds to me like the free market regulation really is paid for by the users not corporations. If the government were regulating the effectiveness of the internet they would want to tax for what they control. This would be regulated the same for all internet users, not price varying like corporations manages. If we are focusing on “effectiveness of the internet” it is referenced in Chapter 16-4i under “Government: Hands Off or Hands On?” that government involvement could limit freedoms of privacy, safety and morality. (Chapter 16-4i) But this is at least being ran in a regimented fashion. What would large corporations do for internet crimes like terrorism or identity theft for internet users? They don’t have the authority to police these types of crimes. The government does, making it a more efficient option for the cost of taxation and internet freedoms.3. I would not usually take this particular side, but in this case, I would side with Government regulation. Because more damage could potentially be done with the free market. America is not restricted, like other countries when it comes to web browsing. All though I am entirely for the freedom we have by this. I still think this opens up to many dangers, and as the textbook references, we should take our responsibility to protect our-self online. Some people may not be capable of doing this or have the common sense or knowledge to protect themselves. Also, even though it is common knowledge that the government can and does track web traffic. I do not see any harm in this. As long as you are not committing a crime, there should not be an issue with the Government knowing what you are up to. Again this just increases our, safety if you are not doing anything wrong what difference does it make if the Government see what you google and what website you visit. The free market will always have the same common core at the bottom line, which is money. Therefore, public safety is not their main concern and may not be a concern at all. Also, allowing a few multi-billion dollar companies run everything will again in some way end up with a strain on the people financially. As well as some of the most significant profits to be made are typically doing dangerous and unethical things.