If you’re tired of hearing about net neutrality, then try to envision a future where it doesn’t exist. That’s when you’re really going to feel the pain; when the internet you once knew as open is no longer. When ISPs will gain the right to charge you for access to your internet via myriad different ways. Want to access online gaming, but hate lag? Your ISP could have an add-on that’s right for you!
Seriously. The title of this post might be a little exaggerated (or is it?), but it gives us a glimpse of what the internet could be like if we don’t stand up to those who are trying with all their might to cater to corporations, not us consumers.
A couple of years ago, the FCC passed net neutrality laws that were applauded the world over – except by those who stand to have their wallets impacted. We have former FCC chairman Tom Wheeler and two level-headed commissioners to thank for that, as they fought hard to defend our online rights, and succeeded. That success was short-lived when Ajit Pai replaced Wheeler as Chairman.
During the FCC’s campaign to decide on net neutrality’s fate, Pai was a constant thorn in Wheeler’s side, so when he became chairman, he wasted no time trying to dismantle all of net neutrality as we know it. As a former Verizon executive, no one was surprised. Pai doesn’t care about you: he cares about corporations and his own gains, and if his vehement fight to ruin net neutrality is successful, we’re the ones who have to pay. We’re pretty sure Pai won’t have to worry about his internet connection should net neutrality fall apart.
This can’t be understated: your internet is at risk. This isn’t an issue that’s simply going to disappear, as you can probably tell by now. When net neutrality passed, corporations didn’t settle on the decision – they ramped up their efforts. If we don’t do anything, the corporations win.
That’s why when you visit our website today, you see a quick reminder of what the web could be like without net neutrality (example seen at the top of this post). We at Techgage appreciate being available to the entire freaking world, and we don’t want that to change. We don’t charge you to access our content, and we sure don’t want someone else charging you to access our work.
If you’re American, you owe it to yourself and your nation to stand up against these corporations and ensure that the future of the internet is free. If you didn’t fill out the pop-up that (should have) appeared as you entered our website, you can go to the official Day of Action website and fill it out there. Congress and the FCC need to understand that a dismantling of net neutrality laws is not OK.
If you’re outside of the US, you can help by spreading the news. You surely have many social media friends that are from the US, and many of those might not be aware of this fight. Given what’s at stake, though, they’d definitely want to be.
This is in our hands. Don’t let others ruin our internet.