DescentBB

So I spotted this article while skimming one of my regular sites that discuss news about the internet:
http://axisoflogic.com/artman/publish/A ... 3216.shtml

I think this is definitely worth a read through since it brings up some observations about what people originally expected from the web, how things actually turned out, and what impact the web has on the "real" world. It touches on wireless spectrum, walled gardens, net neutrality, corporate influence on the web/media, the impact of copyright law, and companies creating artificial scarcity out of previously unlimited resources.

The article doesn't really make any suggestions for action or anything, but should make for some good reading for anyone interested in current issues about the internet and public policy relevant to it.

you're exactly right.....it was a long article.

Makes you wonder what the net will look like in 50 years. All that pressure between those who want to control information and/or to make money from it vs. all those who want a totally free playground with unfettered access will make for an upcoming and unpleasant battle. One thing's for sure, it won't look like it does today.

tunnelcat wrote:Makes you wonder what the net will look like in 50 years. All that pressure between those who want to control information and/or to make money from it vs. all those who want a totally free playground with unfettered access will make for an upcoming and unpleasant battle. One thing's for sure, it won't look like it does today.

look no further than the telephone and radio for guidance from History.

"He who controls the information flow, controls the masses" Woodchip circa 2011

woodchip wrote:"He who controls the information flow, controls the masses" Woodchip circa 2011

new information technologies start out with few controls, but soon get coopted into the corporate structure.

'slick, circa just a couple minutes ago.....

callmeslick wrote:

woodchip wrote:"He who controls the information flow, controls the masses" Woodchip circa 2011

new information technologies start out with few controls, but soon get coopted into the corporate structure.

'slick, circa just a couple minutes ago.....

Would you prefer it got co-opted by the govt.?

woodchip wrote:Would you prefer it got co-opted by the govt.?

I'd prefer no co-opting.

null0010 wrote:

woodchip wrote:Would you prefer it got co-opted by the govt.?

I'd prefer no co-opting.

How would you fund all the servers that make up the net?

woodchip wrote:Would you prefer it got co-opted by the govt.?

actually, in every case, the government was deeply involved with the co-opting process. Note the plethora of telephone and broadcast regulations. My point was that it always becomes a target for consolidation, merger and corporate and government management as soon as usage becomes universal enough to be wildly profitable.

woodchip wrote:

callmeslick wrote:

woodchip wrote:"He who controls the information flow, controls the masses" Woodchip circa 2011

new information technologies start out with few controls, but soon get coopted into the corporate structure.

'slick, circa just a couple minutes ago.....

Would you prefer it got co-opted by the govt.?

The ARPANET was started by that evil government. It took the greedy capitalists to turn it into a soon-to-be-too-expensive-walled-garden for the profit of a few telecoms and entertainment industries. I see that worked out just fine woody. Take something that's for the commons and turn it into a giant for-profit private monster that not everyone will soon be able to afford. Should we do that with our interstate highways? Privatize them for profit? And the same thing happened with the telephone. Now we have super expensive cell phones controlled by a few telecoms to throw our money down the drain on, if one has the money TO throw down that drain. I still have my land line, for however long it lasts. Fork over the cash people.

What makes you think you have to pay for a cell phone TC? Maybe you should do a little research on Government Funded Cell Phones for low income peoples.

Heretic wrote:What makes you think you have to pay for a cell phone TC? Maybe you should do a little research on Government Funded Cell Phones for low income peoples.

How long do you think that liberal welfare program will last when the inevitable necessary future government budget cutting finally happens? Besides, I'm using my land-based phone line, as crappy as it is, for DSL. I absolutely refuse to pay Comcast for internet access. But there may be a light on the horizon. Since Century Link (formerly Qwest) took over, they may start upgrading our old copper lines in our neighborhood (I hope this phone company cares about upgrading to fiber) and get rid of that damned remote terminal. There's also 4G high speed access from my ISP coming too.