The Internet, a Debate

[ClubMed]

What are the pros and cons of leaving the Internet to be a free and untouched entity, void of modern politics, laws and forms of government?

Is it realistic to expect such a thing?

Another thread in the news section sparked these thoughts.

CM

[Martoch]

"Read my lips...no new taxes!"

[Cruez]

Leave it wide open...

On the web I can pretty much put up what information I want and I can do with what information I find for what I want.

[ZENYO]

I already spent $2000 grand on the puter and $40 bones a month to access the internet (including taxes). What more can I be expected to give? Leave it be. If you really think about it, the gov is already making money (indirectly) of the internet. On the same token if the gov decided to fill their wallets with internet taxes I'd probably be stuid enough to along with it. Who can honestly live without the information super highway?

What the heck do I know anyway??!!

[jman01pa]

Its will be tough to govern the Internet since it doesnt reside in any single place or even country.


J

[Knothead]

Originally posted by clubmed
What are the pros and cons of leaving the Internet to be a free and untouched entity, void of modern politics, laws and forms of government?

Is it realistic to expect such a thing?

Another thread in the news section sparked these thoughts.

CM

I did that for quite a few years. Left it alone ENTIRELY.

While I wasn't looking, it turned into a Monster.

So I have come to save it. One post at a time.


I never said they'd be WORTHWHILE posts.

[Knothead]

Oh, all right, my real .02 is more like: I happen to value the Internet for the very reason that it IS ungovernable.

Governments (esp. the U.S.of A.) have been trying to harness it, control the information on it, at least section it off, (so they got a .gov...big deal) and they have always been met with absolute hostility from the Net Heads. I like that!

I like the idea of one last thing that no government can get its mitts on to pervert, encompass, regulate, or subvert to their own ends. Power to the People!

old hippies never die...they just double-click now.

[Graham]

The internet frightens governments, mainly because they dont have control, hence the bills passed or being passed here in the UK and in the US.

Regulation is possible, Singapore, I think, firewalls all intenet traffic, and my company logs all external internet access from our intranet. Already ISP's hold information on access for all users here for a period of three months, and the government want that increased to a year, the ISP's are up in arms at the ammmount of data they will have to hold.

The suggestion that the 911 terrorists used the internet to help plan their actions, may have been true or just another little dig to justify restrictions. I believe though, that it is irellevant, just the use of current technology, the same could have been said for snail-mail a couple of hundred years ago.
If governments percieve the net to be a threat, have no fear, they will do something, just as they have regulated everything else.
As things stand the net is about the only place where there is a small modicum of real freedom, and it would be a great shame to lose it.
I find the internet empowering, I can find the answer to just about any question in seconds, or failing that ask online and get often expert replies, you know what they say...

Knowledge is power

and I am sure the powers that be see the net that way.

Watch out for further regulation.

G

P.S.
Under the RIP bill in the UK, in theory you can get a prison sentence for fogetting a password, if it's one the police want.

Serious issues there

G

[kenyg]

I love the 'net. Leave it as is I say. The more governments try to legislate, censor it, (except for child-porn - that should be punishable by death - imho) - the stupider they seem.

Information is power - and an informed populace scares the crap out of some governments - gee, what if our people start thinking for themselves...... and not just what we spoon feed them.

[Mortis]

I think both the pros and cons of the "Free" Internet are obvious... however, it is not as "Free" as it could be... BigBrother and BigGovernment are all through its electronic veins.

I consider myself a pretty productive and law abiding person (with only occasional infractions )... but if the net ever becomes over-regulated or controlled, or used to be more intrusive into my life and privacy... I will do everything I can to access it freely and privately. If I cant, no matter how much I like it or how much it benefits me, I will cease to use it. Some things just arent worth compromising.

Mortis