Have you noticed that you cannot access some sites today? It is not your browser or ISP. The shutdown is a statement on behalf of some of these companies. They are resisting the SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and the PIPA (Protest IP ACT). Now why in the world would successful and even very large Internet-based companies be against something called the "Stop Online Privacy Act?"
Could it be the the name of the bill does not really reveal what the legislation is actually about? Some time ago, I preached a sermon in which I said that when you begin to hear that they want to "regulate" the Internet, it might be a good time to start praying.
The fundamental issue behind these bills represents a concerted effort to control the world in which we live. Of course, there is pirating taking place on the Internet. And, of course, there are some people who are going to benefit from a lack of regulation. However, the real issue is not piracy. It is control. And who exactly gets to regulate all this? Is it a specific nation-state or will there be some kind of world-internet-police agency that will be in charge of keeping and eye on things? "
The Internet has historically been a fairly open-forum of information and communication. It is trans-national, trans-cultural, and trans-economic. Regulatory interests are going to change this. The only question is how will it change?
Are we awake yet? Is this once again the same old choice? Can it be that it all really comes down to love or fear?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
If SOPA or its equivalent gets passed by an informed legislative branch after careful and thoughtful consideration of its features, benefits, and deteriments, then as a responsible, law-abiding citizen will feel obligated to support and defend it. But so far, that is not what is happening. Lawmakers palms are being greased by powerful lobbists who are whispering in the lawmakers ears, "This is nothing more than maintaining the status quo and making the internet play by the same rules as all other businesses." But I question the proponant's characterization of the limited impact of SOFA. Before acting it is critical that lawmakers not rubberstamp this proposal regardless of how much money comes stapled to it. This issue needs a full and public airing so that we all might be educated.
I agree John. And I readily admit that I am part of that uniformed public. There does seem to be a trend though in terms of an increasingly amount of legislation that is either overly simplified or completely incomprehensible to the average citizen.
At this point, it looks like SOPA has been put on ice. However, I do suspect that it represents an interest that is not likely to go away.
Post a Comment