Have and have nots? When did broadband become a fundamental right?
There are lots of things that we all would like, price not considered,
that do not rise to the level of a fundamental right.
Most adults want to be able to drive, but driving is not a right, no
matter how inconvenient not being able to drive is. Nor is there a
right to have a six lane macadam highway everywhere it is convenient
to have one, some folks have to make do with a two lane road if that
is what the traffic needs are. Unfortunately, some folks who need a
six lane road get a two lane road because government won't build one,
preferring to redirect gasoline taxes to other than road construction
and maintenance, or interest groups fight against building one, and
both won't let a private interest build one either.
We are seeing a similar phenomena here - the government built the most
basic infrastructure of the internet, because it served a recognized
constitutionally legitimate government function (national defense -
the internet was for military / civilian command and control), just as
the interstate highway system was started to facilitate military
traffic in time of war. Both enabled enhanced civilian uses and
expansion followed.
What you call greedy corporations I call management doing its job -
maximizing return on investment by building where the ROI is greatest
first, and public resistance to infrastructure least. I WANT faster
internet access at my home in the country, but I don't claim any right
to it that rises to a level where the government should provide it.
Those concerned about urban sprawl (and I am not saying you are)
should welcome that crazy quilt map as yet another inducement to live
more densely where providing services is cheaper, preserving the
wealthy's ability to also have a country home with vistas unspoiled by
bourgeois housing developments.
Matthew
On Jul 1, 2008, at 12:49 PM, Tom Piwowar wrote:
the problem with privatizing broadband is that
greedy corporations cherry pick their customers, turning the map
into a
crazy quilt of haves and have nots.
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