The Federal Communications Commission decided Thursday to allow public comment on whether it should modify its rules regarding net neutrality. We cannot overstate the importance of this issue, or this opportunity.

The Internet is the most democratic, open channel for communication and exchange of ideas in the history of human civilization. We at The Contrarian Perspective value individuality, self determination, and independence above all else. Until now, the ability to reach a large audience was strictly limited to the wealthy and powerful, due to the great expense of getting the message out. The Internet has changed that. Now, anyone with a great idea can reach a virtually unlimited audience. The only thing standing in the way is whether people find your idea compelling or not. If they do, it is bound to spread and reach its full potential, no matter who you are.

Change is Bad for Them, But Good for Us

Traditional media outlets view this freedom as a threat, and rightly so. They have achieved great wealth and power through maintaining a stranglehold on the channels of delivery of information. The Internet takes their control away, and it seems that every day we hear yet another story about yet another desperate attempt by the media establishment to get it back. From harassing ten-year-old mp3 downloaders, to initiating denial-of-service attacks against file-sharing networks, to suing YouTube, they will do anything to block the free flow of information and ideas, because in truth control over the means of distribution is the only thing of value they ever created. The ideas themselves have always come from the artists, reporters, writers, and musicians who were forced to do business with media outlets in order to get their message out.

An Assault on Meritocracy

On the Internet, competition is based entirely on merit, and this scares the Viacoms of the world to death. Rather than compete on a level playing by creating better ideas, they would much prefer to compete as they have done in the past: on an uneven playing field manipulated by money. And that is the motivation behind their initiatives to create priority traffic based on money. They want to seize control of the means of communication, so they can again make unlimited money by catering to the lowest common denominator. Make no mistake. Whatever rhetoric the lobbyists they employ may spew out, this is their motivation, and it is their only motivation. It is vital that their efforts be stopped immediately, and permanently. Otherwise, we run the risk of reversing the revolutionary ability of individual voices to spread their ideas.

It is especially revealing that Google is one of the greatest supporters of net neutrality. With its enormous resources and staggering traffic load, Google would stand to benefit enormously if net neutrality were rejected. But Google has shown that it understands the great value that freedom of information creates for society as a whole, and is willing to put this ahead of its own pecuniary interest. For that, it should be applauded, and its message deserves close attention.

Speak Up Now

The FCC has stated that comments may be sent to Ms. Heather Hendrickson by referencing docket number 07-52. You may email Ms. Hendrickson at heather.hendrickson@fcc.gov. We urge you to contact Ms. Hendrickson and make your voice heard, if you ever want it to be heard again.

We hereby grant permission for you to excerpt any portion of this article you wish in your communications to the FCC. You may also distribute this article freely in unedited form, so long as you include a link back to QuiteContrarian.com. Get the word out before it’s too late.