Assignment 4: Thoughts on Network Neutrality

          Net neutrality is extremely important in my opinion. The majority of people that actually are opposed to net neutrality typically do not agree with it because without it they could be making more money. Thats why the first article talks about how cable providers will benefit the most from this because it will require more money to be required in the system to allow for "better and faster" internet. However, if every website just followed through with typical net neutrality then we would never have to worry about some websites being faster than others. Honestly, I can think of so many negative situations that could come about if net neutrality is no longer allowed. Everyone will begin to see significant changes in internet speed unless paying some type of premium charge for a faster internet is okay with you. In my opinion, it is completely absurd that internet providers would actually think its alright to charge to have a faster internet available. Its just another way to separate people by class. The poor and middle class are much less likely to pay for the faster internet so they are willing to settle for slow speeds but the high class are not bothered either way.

         Net neutrality has been in the news most recently because the FCC has looked to push net neutrality away from the public. Currently, the law has not been approved but it will most definitely rise up again and be run to the supreme court for a second opinion. Hopefully, we will not see this passed in our lifetime but it seems very likely it will.

         Freedom of speech is every American's right. We have the ability to say whatever we want and search anything we want. If net neutrality is no longer allowed then that is not allowing us as Americans the freedom to research anything we want. It is a way for the government to stop us from searching the internet unless we pay a fee. If we have to to pay a fee to see something, that is halting our ability to freely access the internet. This recent news would definitely affect me because I know for a fact that I would not spend the money to go on certain websites and that means that I will have both a censored version of the internet and a much slower connection and that does not make me very happy whatsoever. Net neutrality is extremely important for everyone who believes that we have the right to access anything on the internet at any time when we want to. The internet is a place where every single person in the country can conveniently collaborate on ideas or discussions, not a place where we have to be watched and censored by the government. It is our right to control that access and we should never allow the government to take that right from us by making a law that seems harmless.

          This first site does a good job at explaining what exactly net neutrality is and how it might affect the everyday person. The source is a well known political site and has a little more credibility seeing as it is a .org website. http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=1234951

          This second site is a popular blog website that I visit frequently. The verge is known for having a very "for the people" position on popular current events. This article explains netflixs position on net neutrality and their opposition to big companies such as verizon and comcast. http://www.theverge.com/2014/3/20/5530898/netflix-blasts-comcast-and-verizon-on-net-neutrality-some-big-isps 

Introduction

Hey guys,

Just as an opener for a first post. My name is Lukas Shannon and I am in CS 408 section 02!