The Internet, will it be free forever?

[colorlessman]

Will the Internet get commercialized like the Paper, the Radio, and the TV oneday?

I think capitalists fear the Internet not because the number of leftists on it but because it spreads ideas.

[Janus]

Will the Internet get commercialized like the Paper, the Radio, and the TV oneday?
It's already happened. However, the Internet is much more equal than those media as it requires much less resources in order to get one's word out. In fact, it's probably one the greatest tools created so far not only in that it has helped us to connect and coordinate to such a large degree but it has also promoted a strong tendency towards egalitarianism; something that will be crucial for a future revolutionary society.

[Guerrilla22]

Isn't it avaible to German citizens for free? I have a friend there, who was telling me about "free net" or something like that, that is avaible complettely free of charge.

[Janus]

I have a friend there, who was telling me about "free net" or something like that, that is avaible complettely free of charge.
There's a wireless LAN network (someone may still have to pay an ISP in certain areas) in many of the European cities particularly in Germany. It's also starting up in some of the metropolitan cities in the US as well.

[Fawkes]

Yeah, Hartford (a city in the U.S. for those not familiar with the states) just recently made internet connection free to everyone if I recall correctly.

[Pawn Power]

Originally posted by [email protected] 06, 2007 03:59 pm
Yeah, Hartford (a city in the U.S. for those not familiar with the states) just recently made internet connection free to everyone if I recall correctly.
Phily was suppose to "go wireless" fo a while now. Still hasn't happened.

[Janus]

The problem with public officials enacting that sort of legislation is that telecommunications corporations are going to try to hinder or block such moves. Some people from my town are trying to setup a wireless LAN network independent of the gov. in order to provide and promote internet service for inhabitants. The open source movement is definitely taking off and it needs to be done independent of the authorities if it's to succeed in the communities.

[Z[ ] Sputnik]

If anything, pornography will be the downfall of the internet.

Do-nothing, say-anything talking heads on 24-hr news networks are talking about legslitaion restricting internet access at public library terminals. This primarily due to pornography.

On addional note, I work for a library. In our internet usage policy we have a disclaimer that says something along the lines of "Patrons may be exposed to offensive or different ideas, imagery, concepts, or viewpoints when using the internet resource." I'm not quite sure what to make of it but clearly, it's presence is disturbing.

[Fawkes]

If anything, pornography will be the downfall of the internet
Could you elaborate more?

[Z[ ] Sputnik]

Originally posted by [email protected] 08, 2007 09:25 pm

If anything, pornography will be the downfall of the internet
Could you elaborate more?
Definatly.

My thougths are that some group will mount a crusade against "objectionable materials" on the internet and in their wake leave behind legsliation that negativly impacats the free flow of informtaion and the networking of potentially dissentious groups.

Or, a group such as the government could use a "war on pornography" as a ruse to take out freethought websites and their kin.

Just a thought.

[Fawkes]

Alright, I see what you mean, and I agree that it is a possibility.

[Janus]

Doubtful. There's talk of placing all pornography sites within the same domain system such as .xxx but that really seems to be the worst case scenario at the moment. The fact of the matter is that it's near impossible to regulate the Internet in such a way for the long run without devoting massive resources to such censorship.

[Cheung Mo]

Originally posted by Z[ ] Sputnik+February 08, 2007 10:13 pm--> (Z[ ] Sputnik @ February 08, 2007 10:13 pm)
[email protected] 08, 2007 09:25 pm

If anything, pornography will be the downfall of the internet
Could you elaborate more?
Definatly.

My thougths are that some group will mount a crusade against "objectionable materials" on the internet and in their wake leave behind legsliation that negativly impacats the free flow of informtaion and the networking of potentially dissentious groups.

Or, a group such as the government could use a "war on pornography" as a ruse to take out freethought websites and their kin.

Just a thought. [/b]
It's already happening: Look at the Bush administration's move towards going after not only kiddie porn, but also "adult obscenity". The sexual behaviour of consenting adults is not a domain for government regulation, and any "socialist" who believes otherwise should shut the fuck up and join the Christian Coalition or some worthless jihadist movement.

[Fawkes]

The sexual behaviour of consenting adults is not a domain for government regulation, and any "socialist" who believes otherwise should shut the fuck up and join the Christian Coalition or some worthless jihadist movement.
Not that I at all disagree with you, but two adults agreeing to have sex is different from them taping it and putting on the inernet where everybody can see it.

[Cheung Mo]

Originally posted by [email protected] 10, 2007 06:12 pm

The sexual behaviour of consenting adults is not a domain for government regulation, and any "socialist" who believes otherwise should shut the fuck up and join the Christian Coalition or some worthless jihadist movement.
Not that I at all disagree with you, but two adults agreeing to have sex is different from them taping it and putting on the inernet where everybody can see it.
So are you suggesting that if a sexual partner and I wish to publish our activities on the Internet that we should not be allowed to? (Incidentally, I don't look at porn, but I read a lot of erotica that is probably even wilder.)

[Fawkes]

No I'm not suggesting that, read my first sentence.

[Kami]

I would disagree that the internet is free.
A little while ago, a teenager was killed in Manchester. His friends and family set up a forum where many people in the country (this appeared on national news) posted their condolencies. One particular chap decided to troll said forum, he claims as part of a social experiment. He was sent to jail for 18 months for this.

The guy was a ****, I will admit, bur 18 months for trolling?

[Hate Is Art]

The sexual behaviour of consenting adults is not a domain for government regulation, and any "socialist" who believes otherwise should shut the fuck up and join the Christian Coalition or some worthless jihadist movement.

What a bizzare statement to make.

[Fawkes]

Originally posted by [email protected] 10, 2007 03:27 pm
I would disagree that the internet is free.
A little while ago, a teenager was killed in Manchester. His friends and family set up a forum where many people in the country (this appeared on national news) posted their condolencies. One particular chap decided to troll said forum, he claims as part of a social experiment. He was sent to jail for 18 months for this.

The guy was a ****, I will admit, bur 18 months for trolling?
Really? Do you have a link?

[Kami]

Originally posted by Fawkes+February 10, 2007 08:57 pm--> (Fawkes @ February 10, 2007 08:57 pm)
[email protected] 10, 2007 03:27 pm
I would disagree that the internet is free.
A little while ago, a teenager was killed in Manchester. His friends and family set up a forum where many people in the country (this appeared on national news) posted their condolencies. One particular chap decided to troll said forum, he claims as part of a social experiment. He was sent to jail for 18 months for this.

The guy was a ****, I will admit, bur 18 months for trolling?
Really? Do you have a link? [/b]
Sure, it was on slashdot a while ago. I'll edit it into this post when I find it

EDIT: couldn't find it where I originally read it, but found an article on the same story (http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,1889311,00.html) on Guardian Unlimited. Got a couple of details mixed up; it was 2 years 8 months he was jailed for that offence, (as a further testimony to how he was a **** he was found guilty of making indecent images of children and jailed an additional time for that). It was also in merseyside the killing took place.

[Janus]

The guy was a ****, I will admit, bur 18 months for trolling?
How did they find the guy and pin it on him? The forum admins must've been really veangeful if they wanted to go beyond just banning the member.

[Dr. Rosenpenis]

"Going wireless" doesn't necessarily mean "going free". It is possible to charge people money for access to a public wi-fi network.