Unethical or Ethical?

Critics believe, “technological prioritization and degradation are the same thing—that given limited room on the network, whoever isn't prioritized is by implication degraded.”

“[A] market where centralized actors pick favorites isn't a market at all, but a planned economy.”

Now this is a topic that interests me. I have never heard about ‘net neutrality’, but now that I’ve read this article: “Why You Should Care About Network Neutrality” by Tim Wu, the topic is clear.

In a few sentences, Network Neutrality is to “prevent centralized control” of the Internet. This is what is happening: carriers choose what information their consumers reach in a certain amount of time, due to discrimination of Internet websites. Tim Wu uses great examples about the I-95 and KFC to explain the unethical use of the Internet by carriers and why it is unfair. I have two views on this subject: I think it is a genius marketing scheme but I also think it becomes less attractive (if the consumer is knowledgeable).

I was unaware of this type of discrimination within carriers companies. I believe people choose their ‘favourite’ Internet sites based on what the site provides the consumer with. I also believe that if companies want to market to different segments of the market, then they should be able to. If companies weren’t biased to certain sites (even if it is just to make profit), than how would the Internet be today? The Internet has grown the way it has because of these certain biases.

I haven’t completely made a choice on whether I agree or disagree with companies choosing the information their consumers can access. However, there are other alternatives to finding information if a carrier chooses to limit the consumer’s access. Which is why some of my teachers have said in the past, “do not rely completely on the internet”.

Lawrence Lessig writes in Free Culture: “The effect is to produce an overregulated culture, just as the effect of too much control in the market is to produce an overregulated-regulated market”.

The debate between ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and neutrality supporters still continues. The ISPs are limiting freedom to Internet access and consumers are unaware of this practice (like myself an hour ago). Supporting net neutrality will rid of this, though I am not sure as yet which side I support completely. Companies need to make money and the economy needs to survive!

Works Cited

Lessig, Lawrence. Free Culture. United States of America: Penguin Books, 2004.

Wu, Tim. "Why You Should Care About Network Neutrality:The future of the Internet depends on it!." 01 May 2006: n. pag. Web. 13 Nov 2009. .