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Net Neutrality Is in Jeopardy

April 24, 2006 by Liz 60 Comments

Net Neutrality

Brian Clark at Copyblogger defines Net Neutrality in way that we can all understand it.

All of your current Internet marketing plans depend on Net Neutrality. And likely a lot that you do online outside the scope of business depends on it too. Net Neutrality allows everyone to compete on a level playing field and is the reason that the Internet is a force for economic innovation, civic participation and free speech. —The Four Horsemen of the Internet Apocalypse

Why is Brian talking about Net Neutrality?

Because Doc Searls is . . . and so is Jeff Pulver . . . and so am I — on all three of my blogs.

What We’re Saying

You might not know who Doc Searls is, but he’s my Walter Cronkite on issues of the Internet. He reasons with facts, not emotional pleas.

Doc said this last Friday . . .

I am fed up with the current wave of soundbites, platitudes, ads and marketing flooding the airwaves that profess to speak for the advancement of the Internet and communications. These ads are influencing Congress and governments around the World as they write the rules that will shape the future of the Internet and communications.

But, where is the voice and message of the Internet community — the Internet innovators, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts — in this world-changing discussion? —Save It or Lose It

Doc was calling attention to Jeff Pulver’s contest to get people to make messages to Save the Internet.

Here’s what Jeff Pulver had to say . . .

We need soundbites of our own, messaging of our own. We are allegedly the revolutionaries of the Internet and communications. Shouldn’t we be the ones revolutionizing the way advocacy is done and communicated in the 21st Century? Shouldn’t we be the creative forces verifying that the medium is the message? Who better than us . . . to think outside the box to send a message to Congress from the global community of Internet innovators and enthusiasts. . . .

We need to harness your individual genius and our collective genius (for isn’t it the collective power of the Internet that makes it so remarkable?) to save the Internet, and we are willing to pay and give you eternal glory (or at least glory for as long as the Internet lasts). — Help Save OUR Internet!

How could I stand by and say nothing?

I didn’t.

I’ve been enjoying this community so much I’ve hardly paid attention to what’s been happening about the Internet in the real world. I guess I figured that I wasn’t hurting anyone, why would anyone want to hurt me?

That kind of thinking has gotten me in trouble before. . . .

I don’t pick causes or argue my views to others much. I figure folks have their own. They don’t need mine. Still I value what I just described so highly that I cannot stay quiet now.

So hear me whisper this. Some folks don’t care about country stores and communities. They care about pipelines that carry bits and bytes and how much they can charge for that service. . . .

Would you read what I read today by a man named Jeff Pulver? He’s running a contest for ideas to help make people aware. Here are the rules.

I really like our country stores a lot. My life would be less without all of you. —What if WE Go the Way of the Old Country Store?

Just Tell Someone

Brian outlines exactly what is now in front of Congress, and what we might do about it. Brian’s article makes me realize he’s the best journalist I’ve read in the longest while. Go there please.

There are things, easy things, you can do–like post an article that links to Brian’s explanation and Jeff’s Save the Internet Contest. How hard could it be just to let people know?

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related articles
Saving the Net–Doc Searls & Walter Cronkite
Who’s a Citizen Journalist?

Tom Glocer Don’t Spin Stories to My Friends

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Filed Under: Business Life, Community, SOB Business, Strategy/Analysis, Successful Blog Tagged With: bc, Brian_Clark, copyblogger, Doc_Searls, free_speech, Jeff_Pulver, Net_Neutrality, Save_the_Internet

Comments

  1. Anthony says

    April 25, 2006 at 2:34 AM

    Look Liz, if you are going to give link love get it right. No one likes a broken link. That’s a like a virtual broken heart. And why would you go around intentionally breaking someones heart here on the internet?

    Reply
  2. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 5:39 AM

    Hi Anthony,
    Found the broken link. Consider it fixed. Thanks for pointing it out. I hate breaking hearts like that.

    Reply
  3. Joe says

    April 25, 2006 at 8:36 AM

    Hey Liz,

    I hear ya. That’s one reason for starting my PolBlog, to talk of Government interference with the internet.

    I’m just a little guy trying to help keep the internet neutral, just like some of the better known Bloggers.

    Joe

    Reply
  4. Martin says

    April 25, 2006 at 9:17 AM

    Hmmm, the outcry seems to be growing from all quarters and snowballing to a tipping point. I just wonder if it’s too little, too late.

    I’m not sure a million bloggers strongly advocating keeping the net neutral is going to stop the big guys and congress.

    I’ve been following the net neutrality issue for a while now and we’re (us small-timers) in for a big fight here.

    This is clearly a case of big business wanting to strangle the small guys and take the internet for themselves (or the highest bidder). And it’s a real threat.

    I think in this instance, it’s a case of we need the mainstream media to get on board and start highlighting it.

    Heck, why isn’t there a bloggers lobby group or association that can step up to the plate?

    This is something that can really kill off the internet for many of us if this gets through – compeition is already hard as it is on the net without us having to play on a non-level playing field.

    Reply
  5. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 9:18 AM

    Hi Joe,
    You’re right to talk about. Talk seems to be all we can do.

    Reply
  6. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 9:21 AM

    Martin,
    I understand what you’re saying. We’re in the middle of a board game where they have all of the big players and all of the money. We have all of the pawns who can move in only one direction.

    It’s DEFINITELY a threat. But how do you the MSM to highlight what they DON’T want to happen?

    And how do you organize a bunch ones into group when the ones tend to look at the oganizers as if they are Chicken Little?

    Reply
  7. Martin says

    April 25, 2006 at 9:37 AM

    I guess what we’re faced with and going through is the evolution of the internet.

    Where do we go from here? As much as we like to say that each and everyone of us is a “one” and the mass of “ones” can be a powerful factor online I don’t think it cuts it in the real world (eg: big business / congress).

    Do we organize ourselves for self-protection?

    Do we need to get more professional as a collective and use lobbying and PR tactics?

    As much as I hate the term “A-listers” we do need to get the bunch of them into the one virtual room and on the same page with the one strong message. Add to that the mass of us b,c and d- bloggers and I guess it’s a start.

    What next?

    Target the big guys behind it? A viral campaign against any company that wil benefit from the changes?

    We need to get out thinking hats on.

    Reply
  8. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 9:40 AM

    I wonder whaat would happen if the heads of the networks got together with the A Listers and the folks at Google–who is on the other side. . . . Seems like a fight that would channel some of the energy some guys we know have an abundance of into the right direction . . .

    Reply
  9. Joe says

    April 25, 2006 at 9:41 AM

    Hey Liz,

    “We have all of the pawns who can move in only one direction.”

    But a pawn can attack from the one direction as long as it is a forward motion, one forward, one diagonal.

    The pawn can even take the King, if it is in the right postion.

    Joe

    Reply
  10. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 9:44 AM

    JOE!!!!!
    I like how you think. I do indeedy. We need to get some of this thinking into action. And don’t Move On Org me–they just want publicity.–I want ACTION.

    Reply
  11. Martin says

    April 25, 2006 at 9:50 AM

    Action, ha!

    get something like a simple SaveNetNeutrality.org up, go the viral route (I’m sure many would jump on board) and lets attack the King(s) from all sides.

    Reply
  12. Joe says

    April 25, 2006 at 9:52 AM

    Liz,

    I’m going to write an article for each of my Blogs, giving as much link love as possible.

    Then I am going to E-mail, the local Philadelphia Inquirer Blogger, and Channel 6 (our ABC affiliate).

    Don’t know what steps to take after that, but getting the word to the MSM is important, especially if they think they will Break a Story.

    Joe

    Reply
  13. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 9:53 AM

    They would jump on board to do WHAT?
    I’ve got it. Can we build a pixel page that says

    SAVE NET NEUTRALITY

    Something really big. Sothat it makes the media.

    Reply
  14. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 9:54 AM

    That’s a really good idea Joe, Go for it.

    Reply
  15. Martin says

    April 25, 2006 at 10:02 AM

    well once we educate all that their livelyhood is in jeopardy I think they’d get on board.

    pixel page – good lateral thinking there, Liz.

    We need an outlandish publicity stunt to gain the attention of the MSM.

    A good, solid brainstorming session should do the trick.

    Reply
  16. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 10:14 AM

    Have you heard about Campfire. I’ll do a piece on it later tonight, I offers a place to meet to do just that kind of thing in private.

    Reply
  17. Joe says

    April 25, 2006 at 12:42 PM

    Liz,

    Let us all know when and where, and I’ll be there.

    Joe

    Reply
  18. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 1:15 PM

    Hi Joe,
    When I know something I’ll be sure that you know too.

    Reply
  19. Joe says

    April 25, 2006 at 3:39 PM

    Hey Liz,

    I did write an E-mail to the Philadelphia Inquirer Blogger Daniel Rubin, and his reply was “check out my post from sunday on this!!”

    I did apologize for missing his post, but at least one of the MSM (Blogger) understands.

    Here is the link to his post: http://blogs.philly.com/blinq/2006/04/save_the_intern.html#comment-16557298

    Anyone can leave a comment, and he will probably respond.

    Joe

    Reply
  20. Joe says

    April 25, 2006 at 3:44 PM

    “As much as I hate the term “A-listersâ€? we do need to get the bunch of them into the one virtual room and on the same page with the one strong message. Add to that the mass of us b,c and d- bloggers and I guess it’s a start.”

    @ Martin, I wrote and E-mail to Darren Rowse at ProBlogger since most of his readers are from the U.S. just in case he was interested. (And I think he will be).

    Joe

    Reply
  21. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 3:48 PM

    Hi Joe,
    It’s hard to organize folks who already have their place, but I’ll see whether I can contact a guy I know. Maybe he can pull some folks together. I have a big trade show next week so I’ll see what I can do tonight.

    smiles,
    Liz

    Reply
  22. Joe says

    April 25, 2006 at 3:53 PM

    Liz,

    Maybe some of th naysayers you know from the MSM, I’m sure they wouldn’t want to be left out. (You know the ones, your wrote more than one article about attitude).

    “Better an enemy you know…”

    Joe

    Reply
  23. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 3:56 PM

    Joe,
    I’m nearly not so powerful as that. They have no reason to
    a. listen to me
    b. want to support Net Neutrality.
    c. get involved in something their employers might not like.

    Liz

    Reply
  24. Joe says

    April 25, 2006 at 4:02 PM

    Liz,

    I usually don’t write E-mails to the:
    1. newspapers
    2. the TV station
    3. an A-lister like Darren

    I doesn’t hurt to try. It’s gotta start somewhere.

    Joe

    Reply
  25. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 4:04 PM

    Yeah, I hear ya.
    But I’m going to put my energy where It will have the most impact. Count on that . . . Pay no attention to that Liz behind the curtain

    Liz

    Reply
  26. Joe says

    April 25, 2006 at 4:08 PM

    Besides, if enough of us leave a comment on Daniel’s Blog, since it is a Large Newspaper, there may be follow-up articles. These could be picked up by more major newspapers and other forms of MSM.

    The power of the word
    Must be heard.

    Joe

    Reply
  27. Joe says

    April 25, 2006 at 4:10 PM

    I really hate cross comments, maybe I should wait for a reply. 🙂

    Reply
  28. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 4:11 PM

    Joe,
    Who’s Daniel? I’m not making the connection there.

    Keep in mind, I couldn’t get everyone — anyone — to link to Janice. They’re happy to take her help, but through her a link???

    Reply
  29. Brian Clark says

    April 25, 2006 at 4:11 PM

    Hey Liz, didn’t we start this coversation a while back precisely because maybe the MSM wants neutrality gone?

    Just a thought…

    Reply
  30. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 4:12 PM

    That’s quite alright, what were you going to say?

    Reply
  31. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 4:13 PM

    Yeah, I think the MSM wants neutrality gone. So there’s no reason they would want to work to save it. Why do you ask?

    Reply
  32. Joe says

    April 25, 2006 at 4:16 PM

    Liz,

    Daniel is the Philadelphia Inquirer Blog reporter on politics.

    I left a link in a previous comment.

    Joe

    @ Brian, we do need the MSM to get the word to others who may not know what’s happening.
    J.

    Reply
  33. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 4:18 PM

    The point is, Joe, just becausr we need them, doesn’t mean that they’ll do it by asking.

    We have to do something newsworthy. I think that’s what Brian’s getting to.

    Reply
  34. Joe says

    April 25, 2006 at 4:24 PM

    I know, Liz, but as I said “it couldn’t hoit”

    What we need is exposure, whether is it is through Blogging, MSM, or writing to your Congressperson (which I think is useless) we need to do something.

    I know we are talking about it, which I hope gives it some attention, but we have to push NOW.

    If we wait, they will have already had a vote, and guess who wins.

    Joe

    Reply
  35. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 4:29 PM

    Far better I think to get folks to put time into Jeff Pulver’s contest than to try to persuade folks who don’t want to write about us when we can’t give them a good reason.

    We need to come up with a reason FIRST.

    I understand your sense of urgency, get people talking and linking to Jeff, and feeling like you do.

    I’m working on finding more NOISY IDEAS. So should everyone.

    But a newspaper story or two won’t do it we need something like the Guiness Book of World Records meet Jack Bauer wearing Superman pajamas.

    Reply
  36. Joe says

    April 25, 2006 at 4:37 PM

    I already have links to Jeff’s page, unfortunately, I don’t have all that many readers.

    That’s one reason I E-mailed Darren, he has the ability to reach many more people than I.

    Joe

    Reply
  37. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 4:42 PM

    Hey, Joe. I’m glad you came back. I was worried I got too passionate there. Sorry.

    Emailing any Blogger is a GREAT idea. Though I’m guessing it will get mixed results. It’s the media who won’t pay attention at all.

    WE NEED A MILLION DOLLAR HOMEPAGE IDEA!!!
    ABOUT NET NEUTRALITY.

    Something so compelling the media couldn’t help but cover–Something grown ups and kids would fall in love with.

    Reply
  38. Joe says

    April 25, 2006 at 4:47 PM

    Jeff has a good idea for exposure to the MSM, but we may need to start some type of petition page.

    How do we start something that’s never been done, a petition on the Web?

    If it is really successful, it will take a LOT of bandwidth, and other resources. I’m not sure I would even be allowed to do something like that on Blogger.

    Anyone have any ideas?

    Joe

    Reply
  39. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 4:50 PM

    Go here. 🙂 Click all three links. Don’t let the picture fool you.

    Chartreuse’s Save the Net Post

    Reply
  40. Joe says

    April 25, 2006 at 4:53 PM

    What???

    Reply
  41. Joe says

    April 25, 2006 at 4:54 PM

    Sorry, Liz, another crossed comment…

    Reply
  42. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 4:55 PM

    No wories. The link didn’t take the first time. It happens. 🙂

    Reply
  43. Brian Clark says

    April 25, 2006 at 5:02 PM

    OK, Million Dollar Save the Net Page. Who do we give the money to? I almost can’t believe that right and left are cooperating on this issue so far (which is nice), but wait till you try to give the money to MoveOn and see what happens! 🙂

    Reply
  44. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 5:04 PM

    Can’t Give the Money to Move on.

    Give the Money to kids who don’t have computers.

    Reply
  45. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 5:13 PM

    or give the money to

    GELC –Global Education & Learning Community
    for open source curriculum

    Reply
  46. Joe says

    April 25, 2006 at 5:25 PM

    OK, did anyone else send the petition to 3 friends?

    I’m going to update my posts to include the link (not chartreuse’s but the Move on petition).

    I like his post, very imaginative, but I am not sure if my readers would get it…

    Joe

    Reply
  47. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 6:08 PM

    I agree about your assessment of his post, Joe.
    He has a cutting edge music and video blog.

    I thought you’d like the link. 🙂

    Reply
  48. Joe says

    April 25, 2006 at 6:15 PM

    Yes, I did… Every little bit helps, even if it is Brittney Spears…

    Joe

    Reply
  49. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 6:40 PM

    I won’t tell if you won’t tell. 🙂

    Reply
  50. Joe says

    April 25, 2006 at 6:58 PM

    Let’s not forget about this tomorrow…

    We all have a bad habit of living in the present, and forget about tomorrow.

    ‘Nite

    Joe

    Reply
  51. ME Strauss says

    April 25, 2006 at 6:59 PM

    Sweet Dreams

    Reply
  52. Anonymous says

    May 12, 2006 at 3:25 AM

    I Support Net Neutrality. I support the internet being Open. ISPs won’t get away with this. If they do I will stop paying the ISPs, and cancel. Thats right money makers im canceling.

    Reply
  53. Bill Texas says

    May 12, 2006 at 3:31 AM

    You can’t kill the internet ISPs. If you do you destroyed the future, the USA Countries economy, and businesses all over the nation.

    Reply
  54. ME Strauss says

    May 12, 2006 at 4:54 AM

    I’m not sure that canceling the ISPs is the right idea. Not all of them are the bad guys. Small ISPs will be hurt by what the big guys are doing as well.

    Reply

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