The End of Net Neutrality?

[Linus]

As some of you may be aware, Google and Verizon have recently begun talks about ending Net Neutrality. This concept -- Net Neutrality -- means that all internet packets (traffic) travels at the same rate and there is no preference of one type of traffic over another. The idea of removing this neutrality will result in different speeds to various sites (e.g., paid sites will receive faster and priority access while non-paid sites will not receive that kind of quality of service or QOS).

My biggest concern is that this will separate the online world into two classes: those that pay and those that cannot (e.g., libraries, non-profits). For the longest time, the great thing about the Net was the fact that there was no preference or "isms" when it came to the transference of info (granted there is classism by having a computer).

Additional to this, sites like ours (a little not-so-big site that is made for the sake of a community) may suffer from this kind of thing. I can see this hurting minority groups of various walks of life by removing that equalization between groups and individuals.

You can sign a petition here: https://secure.freepress.net/site/Ad...rAction&id=277

I really do think that this could be worse than the advent of advertising on the Net (I do remember fondly days when there was no advertising and it was all about sharing of info).