Imagine: You go to access one of your favorite websites and instead of watching it load in a second or two, you wonder if you’re back in the days of dial-up Internet access (remember when you could make a cup of coffee while a page loaded?). It turns out, your favorite website is a “non-preferred destination” according to your Internet service provider – whether this ISP is Time Warner Cable, Verizon or one of the other phone and cable companies that carries Internet signals into your home.
Then the next day, you try logging into another site you like, and you get a message: “This site’s content has been deemed inappropriate.” Your ISP is banning websites?!?
What Happened to the Web
Those are among the scenarios that web watchdogs have been warning about ever since a federal appeals court’s ruling two weeks ago that struck down what’s call “net neutrality” – the principal that Internet service providers are simply providing pipelines and should be neutral when it comes to how they deliver websites to us through those pipelines. Until the ruling, which involved Verizon, net neutrality was protected under the FCC’s Open Internet order.
Net neutrality is at the heart of what we think of as the free and democratic web – which is why, in the two weeks since the January 14 ruling in favor of Verizon, dozens of organizations have collected more than a million online signatures for a petition that was delivered to FCC last week.
Watch this “Net Neutrality 101” video to get a bigger picture:
Not everyone agrees that the court decision in favor of Verizon spells doom. Jonathan Feldman writing in Information Week argues for the free market and says too much regulation could drag down the Internet. He believes that prioritizing some traffic over others could be a good thing.
Why Would You Care?
Here are a few reasons being cited by advocates for the open Internet:
- Discrimination Right now your tiny personal blog can up against Fox News or any other Internet giant on a level playing field – theoretically at least; the companies that provide your Internet signal don’t discriminate. When you search Google, the results you get have nothing to do with which website has more money or more political clout. Feasibly, a site that an ISP considers politically questionable could even be blocked (think China). The core democratic principles of the web could change with the end of neutrality.
- Bad service, degraded sites Unless you only visit the websites of large corporate players, you could find yourself having to deal with slow-loading webpages, fewer images and less video when you’re browsing smaller sites like, say, Senior Planet. That’s because sites that occupy what would become the web’s “slow lane” will be served with a weaker signal; those sites will try and lighten their load time by changing how they publish.
- Costlier browsing Right now it doesn’t matter what you do on the web – you could stream video, shop online or just check your email and you pay the same. With the end of neutrality, you’ll probably end up paying – or paying more – to access websites like YouTube or news outlets, because the the sites’ publishers will be paying your ISP to get in the fast lane; of course they’ll want to pass the cost on to you.
- Death to innovators If big corporations can pay to take over the Internet’s “fast lane,” small startups – as sites like Facebook and eBay were once – get stuck in the slow lane, where the chance of them finding an audience to support their growth is slim. “On a tiered Internet controlled by the phone and cable companies, only their own content and services — or those offered by corporate partners that pony up enough “protection money” — will enjoy life in the fast lane,” Free Press says.
- A widening Internet divide Sites that serve the underserved – including children and seniors – might not survive the end of neutrality. ZeroDivide President and CEO Tessie Guillermo told ABC News: “A child in a rural area who loses the ability to video conference with her physician specialist, a single dad who can no longer take his online college courses or a community media outlet in the inner city that is charged more to distribute its news – these are real losses.”
What You Can Do
More than 85 organizations, including the ACLU, MoveOn, the Sierra Club and Free Press, delivered a million signatures for net neutrality on January 30, emphasizing that the Internet is now a basic need for all of us – it’s not a luxury.
But that doesn’t mean it’s all over. The petition is still collecting new signatures and the situation keeps evolving. If you want to be involved in protecting what is, after all, your Internet, here’s what you can do:
- Consider signing the petition for net neutrality. Click here to visit the petition page; signing is very easy. You can also sign a petition on the WhiteHouse.gov We the People site if you have an account there.
- Follow SavetheInternet on Facebook to stay updated on the news.
- Sign up for ACLU breaking news alerts on the issue via email.
- Check out this post on the discussion site Reddit for ways to take the next step: pressuring congress.
According to Mashable: “The only way we are going to win this long-term fight is by showing the FCC how much support there is around the country from regular people.”
Maybe a visit from a large group of concerned seniors would be convincing?
Motivated or not? Share your views below!
COMMENTS
2 responses to “This Might Be the End of the Internet As We Know It”
There should be NO question concerning abandoning “Net Neutrality”. This whole
‘process” is a sham!
The internet was developed as an Advance Research Projects Agency/Department of Defense project designed to facilitate resource sharing among users. We, the people, have been paying for it since the 1950s ~ And are still paying for it.
The reason that the internet has been so successful is that it wasn’t developed as a commercial entity, but as a COMMUNICATION network.
Thus far, critically, Federal COMMUNICATIONS Commission regulatory policies have ensured network openness and interconnection. This policy must not change.
It distresses me greatly that President Obama hired Tom Wheeler and has said that he “can’t tell Mr. Wheeler what to do”. Why not? People are hired to do a specific job. Before his appointment to chair the FCC, Mr. Wheeler was the top lobby for the industry trying to change the regulations in their favor. What specific job was he hired to do? Why has the fox been put in charge of the henhouse?
Participatory democracy can be assured only if the internet, which is our communications medium, is not co-opted by crass commercialism. My grave concern for our democratic republic is that this one person – Tom Wheeler – is the ONE person to decide our fates. And why is only ONE person the judge of this?
This is probably the most important decision to be made concerning the future of our country and our world. Think about it.
This is just another glitch in making it difficult for older people who rely on the internet. My local breakfast place removed its stools with backs for stools without. That made the place unusable for older people who need a back when they sit. We are truly invisible and there are many, many obstacles for us on the street.
It’s time we listed the obstacles to a satisfying life and indeed to life itself. Did anyone ever hear of a bicycle with a bell on the handle-bar and what about a licence? Do they think we can jump out of the way. Okay that’s all for now. More to come.
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Morning Stretch
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This presentation will introduce you to apps that help you learn different languages, explore the arts and art history, and even show you how to play instruments.
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Internet of Things: Healthcare
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Introducción a la IA
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Relax your mind and strengthen your body with this gentle exercise class.
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Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
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Stronger Bones
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Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
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Introduction to Heart Rate Monitor Apps
Introduction to Heart Rate Monitor Apps
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Morning Stretch
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Introduction to Estate Planning Resources & Tools
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Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
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智能手機攝影簡介
在手機上也可以照下專頁的圖片!如果您對您手機上的這個功能還不清楚的話,您可別錯過這堂講座喔!
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Podcasts at a Glance
Podcasts at a Glance
Learn what Podcasts are and where to find them!
Introduction to Booking Vacation Stays Online
Introduction to Booking Vacation Stays Online
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Chair Yoga
Chair Yoga
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Morning Stretch
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IoT: Smart Homes
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Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Relax your mind and strengthen your body with this gentle exercise class.
Tech Tips for Disaster Preparedness
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Morning Stretch
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Mindfulness Apps
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Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
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Online Rx Drug Resources
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Morning Stretch
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Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
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線上購物
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Intro to Smartphone Photography
Say cheese! Learn more about your smartphone's camera.
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Morning Stretch
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Messaging Apps
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Intro to Selling Online
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Morning Stretch
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Introduction to Nextdoor
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Usos cotidianos de la IA
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Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
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Internet of Things at a Glance
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Functional Strength Training
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Fit Fusion Workout
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Morning Stretch
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Virtual Reality at a Glance
Virtual Reality at a Glance
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Internet of Things: Healthcare
Internet of Things: Healthcare
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Morning Stretch
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Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
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Social Media for Job Searches
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Graphic Design Tools
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Introduction to TikTok
Introduction to TikTok
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Intro to X (formerly Twitter)
Intro to X (formerly Twitter)
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Morning Stretch
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Generadores de imágenes de IA
Generadores de imágenes de IA
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Intro to Gaming
Intro to Gaming
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Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
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Digital Legacy at a Glance
Digital Legacy at a Glance
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Stronger Bones
Stronger Bones
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Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
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Smartphone Camera Uses Beyond Photography
Smartphone Camera Uses Beyond Photography
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How to Choose a New Computer
How to Choose a New Computer
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Chair Yoga
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Morning Stretch
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Virtual Tour: Lima, Peru
Virtual Tour: Lima, Peru
Join Senior Planet and our tour guides from Discover Live for a virtual visit to Lima, Peru!
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
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訊息應用程式
訊息應用程式
這次的講座會談到三款普遍的應用程式:iMessages、 Google Chat 和 微信 WeChat。您會學到如何傳送訊息、圖片、使用音訊和視訊通話, 以及瞭解這些應用程式如何確保您的訊息安全。
Introduction to Learning Apps – Languages & The Arts
Introduction to Learning Apps – Languages & The Arts
This presentation will introduce you to apps that help you learn different languages, explore the arts and art history, and even show you how to play instruments.
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Balance/Strength
Activate the joints and muscles to become limber and increase balance during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Digital Tools to Boost your Business
Digital Tools to Boost your Business
Learn about online tools to jump-start your start-up.
Chair Yoga
Chair Yoga
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Saving Money with Tech
Saving Money with Tech
Explore ways that tech can help you save money and manage your finances!
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Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Gardening Tech At a Glance
Gardening Tech At a Glance
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¿Es eso IA?
¿Es eso IA?
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Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Relax your mind and strengthen your body with this gentle exercise class.
Understanding Bluetooth
Understanding Bluetooth
We’ll explain Bluetooth technology, how it works, and the way it impacts everyday life.
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Mandarin Multilingual Technology Program: 介紹: 智能手機的相機不只能用來拍照 (Smartphone Camera Uses Beyond Photography)
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
Introduction to Learning Apps – Languages & The Arts
Smartphones at a Glance
Intro to Chatting with AI
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Virtual Tour: Belfast, Ireland
Fit Fusion Workout
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YouTube
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Internet of Things: Wearables
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Internet of Things: Healthcare
Introducción a la IA
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Introduction to Heart Rate Monitor Apps
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
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Fit Fusion Workout
Stronger Bones
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Introduction to Heart Rate Monitor Apps
iPhones
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Introduction to Estate Planning Resources & Tools
Fit Fusion Workout
智能手機攝影簡介
Anti-Virus & Malware Removal Programs At a Glance
Balance/Strength
Morning Stretch
Podcasts at a Glance
Introduction to Booking Vacation Stays Online
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Introducción a chatear con IA
IoT: Smart Homes
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Tech Tips for Disaster Preparedness
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
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Mindfulness Apps
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Drones
Online Rx Drug Resources
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Virtual Museum Tours
Fit Fusion Workout
線上購物
Intro to Smartphone Photography
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Messaging Apps
Intro to Selling Online
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Introduction to Nextdoor
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Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
All Things Zoom
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Morning Stretch
Internet of Things at a Glance
Functional Strength Training
Fit Fusion Workout
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
Virtual Reality at a Glance
Internet of Things: Healthcare
Chair Yoga
Morning Stretch
Video Chat
Fit Fusion Workout
YouTube
Social Media for Job Searches
Balance/Strength
Morning Stretch
Graphic Design Tools
Introduction to TikTok
Intro to X (formerly Twitter)
Morning Stretch
Generadores de imágenes de IA
Intro to Gaming
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Digital Legacy at a Glance
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
Smartphone Camera Uses Beyond Photography
How to Choose a New Computer
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Virtual Tour: Lima, Peru
Fit Fusion Workout
訊息應用程式
Introduction to Learning Apps – Languages & The Arts
Balance/Strength
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Chair Yoga
Saving Money with Tech
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Gardening Tech At a Glance
¿Es eso IA?
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Understanding Bluetooth
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