Hands-off the Internet! Plea for the freedom of the Internet launched by software and Internet Guru.
Dave Winer proposed an idea on his Harvard Law School web site regarding Internet and the media and suggested involving the US political candidates. Naturally, the implications of a free Internet are far wider reaching than 'local' politics.
The aim is to keep the Internet free from the interference of big media. "Let's use the Internet to keep the Internet free, in a positive way. Make a clear statement, I will only vote for a candidate who supports a free Internet."
In the discussions he pleads "Don't just say it's futile. If enough of us believe, like Peter Pan, or the Wizard of Oz, it'll become real." More lively discussion in the comments section is bound to follow.
I agree with Phil Hunt who could not care less about political campaigns and presidential elections, but for the freedom of the Internet from interference. He points out that "people can make a difference" and that in Europe an amendment was made to a potentially bad patent law. He continues "Furthermore, if we do nothing, we let our enemies win by default." I am not sure that I would have used the word enemies.
I think that the crux of the issue is actually doing something. A true entrepreneur like Dave Winer knows that you need the power of a heavy jetliner to get an idea off the ground. He also knows that there are enough intelligent people reading his post who will fine-tune that initial concept. I am sure that he is also inferring to the personal privacy issues in the so-called "trusted computing" debate.
The initial hurdle is getting the message out, as most people have such complicated lives and are just to busy to care. The majority of people that have some spare time spend it in front on the TV unaware that only 5 companies are controlling the world media. They are also unaware how their personal freedom and choice is currently restricted and likely to get worse.
My message to readers is to simplify your life so that you have time for the important issues like personal freedom and free speech. Try to achieve the goal for a free Internet by contacting the politicians in your country.
To be continued.
