This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.
The Death of the Internet -- Mourned or Avenged?I'll make one tenuous prediction. If Pai and Verizon's plan goes through, it's possible the tired and harried masses will accommodate themselves to it. After all, betting on the willingness of most Americans to surrender their liberties was an easy call, ever since 9/11 "changed everything."
But look at the graphic at the top. Note that social media content is blocked in Portugal unless you pay extra. Same with video, music, messaging and email. Will people really stand for that?
So this prediction: I could be wrong, but it may just be that this shocks Americans so much that they won't stand for it. And in this case, "won't stand for it" happens to have a convenient and effective target for expression -- and punishment.
Verizon.
Ajit Pai's former employer, and one of the key companies pushing for this change.
Are you a Verizon customer? A paying customer? Time to change that perhaps.
Is there a Verizon office near you? Care to make a little visit? I hear they welcome the public with open arms.
Maybe you could bring your friends, or organize a group excursion via social media ... while you still can.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
2
1
