November 17, 2008
Net Neutrality is NOT About Regulation (Craig Newmark)
Net neutrality sounds abstract, but it’s pretty simple: It's about the Internet being a level playing field for everyone who wants to use it as their own printing press. You put a server online for your business or cause, etc., you should have the chance to deliver your message as fast as anyone else. No one should be able to pay for privileged support.
The people who run the infrastructure of the Net are Internet Service Providers, many of whom are large telecoms. They're not really private companies, in that they use public properties to get a signal from one place to another. For example, they have to run wires through public "rights-of-way,” or they need to use public airwaves for radio-style communication.
In return, we expect them to respect American values like fair play and a level playing field; no pay for privilege.
Unfortunately, some of the less scrupulous telecoms seek to muddle the issue, deliberately confusing this with the kind of regulation that has hampered business. Such telecoms have even created fake grassroots, that is, "Astroturf" sites, which have been exposed.
So, just to be clear, we're not talking about regulation here. It's just about playing well with others.
Visit CraigNewmark.com.
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When I started my computer business there were few regulations concerning the computer business sector. Information technology defined the 90's, creating huge amounts of wealth. It was truly a level playing field because it was totally knowledge based. As a result of the Y2K phenomena, many regulations were passed. Now the computer business like others is totally bust. I closed mine down in 2004 after it was revealed that Maryland was going to tax computer services. It wasn't the only reason, but it was a significant factor. Anywhere the government tries to control markets, they become destroyed or held back from potential.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — November 17, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
Of course I disagree with #1. I am for mederation. I worked for one of the giant telecoms. We need regulation, not overly so, but we also need incentives for small business to compete with the 'big guys'. I have a small company and my state government is very wasteful and causes us much paperwork and hassles, etc. for a tiny company such as mine.
Comment by Joyce — November 17, 2008 @ 5:32 pm
I'd like to congratulate Craig Newmark for his decision to begin cooperating with law enforcement to reduce the number of under-aged prostitutes advertising in the "erotic services" section of his web site, craigslist.
The efforts he's announced have been denounced as token gestures:
"At time of writing, there were nearly 1,400 ads listed in the erotic services section for Hartford, Connecticut, alone, one of 550 cities where the site operates and the home turf of Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who spear-headed the changes.
"One advertised the services of an "Open minded, fun, friendy [sic] girl" with a "Smokin hot body!!" It asks: "REady for the Most Incredible GFE from a Super Hottie??""
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/11/06/craigslist_prostition_crackdown/
But I think he's sincere.
His description of the Internet as a "level playing field" is obviously ridiculous, however. Everyone knows that web sites don't all run at the same speed, and most of us don't have much trouble figuring out why.
Some web sites may more money for servers and high-speed telecom lines than others, and this is nothing more or less than paying for the privilege of speed.
There are many other ways that web services ensure higher performance than their competitors that have nothing to do with telecom company behavior; content delivery networks such as Akamai and Limelight (purveyor of the 2008 Olympics) are good examples.
The network neutrality movement, which clearly does seek regulations as evidenced by the numerous bills they've introduced, is seeking to impose a status quo on the Internet which has never existed and never should have existed.
Rather than adding nonsense to the regulatory debate over the Internet, Mr. Newmark should spend his copious free time cleaning up his web site.
And incidentally, ISPs manage only the first and last mile of the Internet. They connect to each other through Network Service Providers, most of whom are not telephone companies.
Comment by Richard Bennett — November 17, 2008 @ 10:48 pm
If you wanna learn more about net neutrality and check out our blogs, visit http://web.illish.us
Comment by realizePhiladelphia — November 18, 2008 @ 9:00 pm