This may seem like something of a departure from the usual content of this blog; however, in a sense, it fits in perfectly with the ideas I have tried to express on this site and elsewhere. I have always been a strong proponent for using technology to facilitate enhanced communication and to empower individuals, patients and physicians.

It recently became clear to me that the idea of Net Neutrality is an important concept in the attempt to enhance personal freedom and unleash creativity via technology.

This video gives a good summary:

Adapted from Free Press presents, Save the Internet. ( http://www.savetheinternet.com/faq )

WHAT IS NET NEUTRALITY?

• Net Neutrality is the guiding principle that preserves the free and open Internet.

• Net Neutrality simply means no discrimination. Net Neutrality prevents Internet providers from blocking, speeding up or slowing down Web content based on its source, ownership or destination.

• The Internet has driven economic innovation, democratic participation and free speech online in large part due to the fact that it has always featured the idea of Net Neutrality.

• Net Neutrality protects the consumer’s right to use any equipment, content, application or service without interference from the network provider.

• Under Net Neutrality, the network’s only job is to move data — not to choose which data to privilege with higher quality service.

• You can learn more about Net Neutrality: HERE:
  

SOUNDS GOOD. SO, WHO WOULD BE AGAINST NET NEUTRALITY?

• The nation’s largest telephone and cable companies — including AT&T, Verizon, Comcast and Time Warner Cable are AGAINST Net Neutrality. They want to be Internet gatekeepers, deciding which Web sites go fast or slow and which won’t load at all.

• These large companies want to tax content providers to guarantee speedy delivery of their data. And they want to discriminate in favor of their own search engines, Internet phone services and streaming video — while slowing down or blocking services offered by their competitors.

• Instead of a level playing field, these companies want to reserve express lanes for their own content and services — or those of big corporations that can afford the steep tolls — and leave the rest of us on a winding dirt road.

• The big phone and cable companies are spending hundreds of millions of dollars lobbying Congress and the Federal Communications Commission to gut Net Neutrality, putting the future of the Internet at risk.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO ME?

As a part time blogger, I have enjoyed the ability to provide content that some people find useful. Anyone who has read my blog for any length of time knows that I have strong opinions and that occasionally these opinions will change and evolve as time goes by. Many times my posts are read by only myself. At other times I can get hundreds of hits and dozens of comments in a single day. I appreciate the fact that my information is only hindered by the creativity of my ideas. I do not want my content to be given second class status at the whim of a telecomunications company. I would like to have equal access to readers around the world without hinderances beyond my control.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. Sign the SavetheInternet.com petition and tell Congress to pass Net Neutrality legislation now.

2. Show your support for Internet freedom  on your Web site or blog.

3. Tell your friends about this crucial issue before it’s too late.

Posted via web from onyeije’s posterous