The death of the internet may be not long from here. Initially a project by the US Army in communications, the internet has grown extensively and evolved and changed facets over the years to what it is now. All the while its key principle remained the same- a location where anyone in any place has the rights to free access to information provided by others in the form of websites and portals.
This is changing, however. With exponential advancements in internet speed technology from cables to fibre-optics to satellite transmissions, it is no wonder that many leading broadband companies are taking the chance to boost internet speeds for consumers who would be paying much more for the use of a 'privileged' facility. This, in the name of profit, makes perfect economic sense, but personally, it removes the bit that makes humanity in us complete. If, ten years down the road, others can only get access to the internet which is provided at the same speed as now, then does not that nullify the sincere wants of humanity as a whole to progress through the availability of information and processing of transactions being provided at the same high speeds as another consumer who, supposedly will pay more just to play a game of Go without the lag that others may experience? Thus, economic sense sometimes will just numb the human sense. How unfortunate.
Fortunately, this potential problem will not be allowed to manifest in its full horrors. Several legislators in the United States have been exploring ways to prevent the segregation of the Internet by the gang of big players. A Democrat senator of Oregon, Sen. Ron Wyden has promised to 'make sure that equal content gets equal treatment'. He is even preparing a bill to lock in that principle even before the problems are born. It is likely that other government officials concerned with this new media of the century will support such similar moves. It will definitely not be an easy process given the tremendous combined power of the telecommunications and cable industries, which would be able to provide its share of lobbyists when the time comes. However, the fight against the corporate giants is one of utmost imperative, perhaps the first of its many other kinds that will come later in the century over not just the internet, but other vital resources. Hence, this battle must be won.
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IDIOT.