Net Nuetrality, Is It a Real Issue?

Net Nuetrality is an issue that I have heard raised on 3 or 4 occasions since I remember becoming a computer user. It breaks down to simply, whether Internet Service Providers or, ISPs, can restrict the bandwith and loading speeds of certain websites in order to facilitate more "legitamate" internet ventures. If the illegal internet activity such as downloading peer to peer Mp3s or Torrent movie files is restricting the legal internet commerce of renting movies or shopping for books, then ISPs should be allowed to hamper the network resources in relation to these illicit activities.


[Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's new energy efficient data centers]

This sounds like a sensible idea to some advocates, but there is a looming threat with any legislation that allows companies to control the availability of a supported website over my independent peer's. The idea of such a restricted network is a chilling thought for any internet user. The success of independent speech and start up company triumph is what has given me hope in this truly free medium since its development just 12 short years ago. I don't care whether activities are illegal or not, the status of the internet as completely unrestrained by the ISPs is crucial to the health of the public sphere, and any attempt to moderate that will be devastating. ISPs should merely provide me access, to the most amazingly diverse, massive and captivating information network our species has ever created.


[ISP Time Warner's HQ in New York City]