|
Hey everyone. I might be pretty active on this thread. Some of you might remember me going off on list and video conference about this issue and how it relates to creeping corporate power. Let's just say this issue is important to me. I would like to talk to you all about our messaging as we try to Save the Internet: Messaging is important. It is more important than reality, which we have seen from our governments for the last 20 years. The current message, focusing on 'Net Neutrality' is a sure loser. Yes, it is real. It is literal, it is correct. But it is not going to work. We are going up against the 'wonders of the private sector'. Free markets. De-regulation- concepts that are so ingrained into the Average American's brain that they are nearly unchallengeable. We are doing so with a message that needs 10 paragraphs to explain. They say 'private sector needs to be free to create', probably something like,"At this time, it is very important that the private sector be free to innovate and create as only the private sector can." Then we follow with 10 paragraphs of what Net Neutrality is. We are going to get killed! Save the internet is a great phrase: The internet needs saving. Why? Because giant companies are trying to steal it. From a conversation on dailykos "Ok, so I won't be able to write what I want in my email?" No you can write what you want, but you better make it short. Too many words and they'll charge you more. And of course will have to pay for any emails to people far away, or outside your network. And of course you will have to wait forever for it to download. No more sharing pics. "Um. But don't you have to pay for faster connections now anyway? When I moved to cable it cost me more than dial-up did. And my company pays even more for our fast office connection." Can you afford hi-speed internet today? Better enjoy it while it lasts because if this goes through you will be stuck on perpetual dialup. You and me can keep up with the Jones' in terms of internet pricing, but we can't keep up with the Dow Jones'. Let's look at the text from save the internet, and just inject a little personal stuff and see what happens: From Save the Internet.com: Congress is pushing a law that would abandon the Internet's First Amendment -- a principle called Network Neutrality that prevents companies like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast from deciding which Web sites work best for you -- based on what site pays them the most. Your local library shouldn’t have to outbid Barnes & Noble for the right to have its Web site open quickly on your computer. Net Neutrality allows everyone to compete on a level playing field and is the reason that the Internet is a force for economic innovation, civic participation and free speech. If the public doesn't speak up now, Congress will cave to a multi-million dollar lobbying campaign by telephone and cable companies that want to decide what you do, where you go, and what you watch online. This isn’t just speculation -- we've already seen what happens elsewhere when the Internet's gatekeepers get too much control. Last year, Telus -- Canada's version of AT&T -- blocked their Internet customers from visiting a Web site sympathetic to workers with whom the company was having a labor dispute. And Madison River, a North Carolina ISP, blocked its customers from using any competing Internet phone service. A Little rework: Congress is pushing a law that would abandon the principle of Network Neutrality, the Internet's First Amendment. This means that giant companies like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast get to decide what sites you may see, and how quickly you can get there based on who pays them the most. Your local library shouldn’t have to outbid Barnes & Noble for the right to have its Web site open quickly on your computer. The internet has always been a level playing field. This is the reason that the Internet has brought about economic innovation, increased civic participation and given us all the ability, not only to speak, but to be heard. If the public doesn't speak up now, Congress will cave to the demands of the corporate Communications Cartel and their multi-million dollar lobbying campaign by telephone and cable companies that want to decide what you do, where you go, and what you watch online. This will mean that the Information Superhighway that was promised but abandoned the last time the Communications Cartel muscled their way into politics, will turn into the Internet Toll Road where speed and access are available only to the highest bidders. This isn’t just speculation -- we've already seen what happens elsewhere when the Internet's gatekeepers get too much control. Last year, Telus -- Canada's version of AT&T -- blocked their Internet customers from visiting a Web site sympathetic to workers with whom the company was having a labor dispute. And Madison River, a North Carolina ISP, blocked its customers from using any competing Internet phone service. Granted this is not a good rewrite, as it is off the top of my head, but I believe it is better than what is on the page right now. Who the hell gives a rats ass about Network Neutrality? Sure we do, but we're video geeks. You know how hard it is explaining RSS? How people's eyes glaze over? That is what Net Neutrality does to people. The language we use has to be far more visceral. ...a principle called Network Neutrality that prevents companies like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast from deciding which Web sites work best for you -- based on what site pays them the most. That's pretty crappy, really. It is soft. Not at all like what we are going to experience. This, on the other hand, is a real gem! Your local library shouldn’t have to outbid Barnes & Noble for the right to have its Web site open quickly on your computer. It is visceral. It is simple to understand. "Whoa! Wait a minute...WTF? Libraries shouldn't have to pay like B & N to have their website open up quickly." I like the idea of the Internet Toll Road, as well. It is something people can really understand. Especially people in big cities. It also allows us to talk about the good old 'Information Superhighway'; back when the internet was supposed to change everything, not just from where you shopped. We are going to get killed if the Internet Superhighway becomes the Internet Toll Road, and it's BULLSHIT! You guys created this video revolution. Open standards made all of this possible! If we are going to be part of turning this around, we have got to choose better language. We need to make people feel this issue. Using 'Net Neutrality' to talk about this issue is like leading with 'RSS' when you talk about videoblogging. I look forward to hearing from all of you on this. Talk to you later, Ron oh yeah let me take a little more of your time: If you have a few minutes, please check out the http://pawsitivevybe.com/mambo . I just re-did the whole site, and could use some help in debugging and proofing it. Comments and critique are welcome privately. Ron Watson Pawsitive Vybe Canines 12 E Bridge St Suite G Rockford, MI 49341 301.524.6670 On May 3, 2006, at 11:28 AM, Casey McKinnon wrote: Forget "Save the Internet", have you seen what filth the UN is hoping
SPONSORED LINKS
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
|
- [videoblogging] How to Talk about Saving the Internet Ron Watson
