Re: The Web — not democratic, but open

ghoti06 — Tue, 30 May 2006 13:56:31 -0000

Interesting post. I work for a company in the Hands Off coalition so I'm hardly an unbiased observer, but I think it would be a mistake to treat the Internet like a public utility. Unlike the water or electricity board, the telecom industry is actually growing and expanding. Keeping the profit motive is the best way to ensure new things keep happening. Government is best at maintaining, not improving things -- and I think we all want more than just simple maintenance of what we have now.

There really isn't a crisis, only one cooked up by the big online media companies and their allies in Washington. I say we let things continue on as they are, and then if there are actual moves by anyone to restrict access to the web, okay, THEN we can talk about new laws. Until then, Congress should stay out.

Also, that "telco lobbyist" who debated Craig Newmark is Mike McCurry, who was Clinton's second spokesperson and just about the best White House spokesperson in living memory.

Re: The Web — not democratic, but open

ghoti06 — Tue, 30 May 2006 15:04:26 -0000

Thanks, it's a George Bernard Shaw reference, (google "ghoti" if you don't know, although I think maybe you do).

McCurry definitely isn't the point here, I was just giving him a boost after all the bad press these past few weeks.

But I guess my main points are clear enough -- profit motive drives innovation, and let's take a wait-and-see before legislating the issue.

Interesting post, and thanks for the reply!

Disqus - Latest Comments for ghoti06

Re: The Web — not democratic, but open

Re: The Web — not democratic, but open