Assignment 4: Thoughts on Network Neutrality

- Pros and Cons 
The pros of Net Neutrality are: making information/knowledge free,not having to pay extra money to receive quicker/better service (everyone's service is the same for the same price), and having no restrictions on content on the Web.It also encourages the creation of new products/the willingness of people to try them out without the fear of being charged. Some people are supporters of Net Neutrality because they do not want to have to pay more money for the services they are already receiving now. They believe the system is not broken, so it doesn't have to be fixed. The cons of Net Neutrality/why some people are against it are: information that some deem to be inappropriate can not be blocked and people with commercial interests can not capitalize on the Internet. 

-Network Neutrality Related to Freedom of Speech
Network Neutrality is related to freedom of speech because without it, certain things on the Internet can be blocked. People can say whatever they want on the Internet, whether it is offensive or not. Without Network Neutrality, whatever is deemed unacceptable is hidden from public view, thus peoples' voices can't be heard. 

-How it Affects Me
The current news regarding Net Neutrality affects me because if it goes away, my life with technology will change drastically. If providers are able to give out access on their own terms, I could have to start to pay for things I now get to do for free. If I want fast service, good video quality on YouTube, or the current price and quality of Netflix to stay the same, it would cost me a lot of money that I just simply don't have. I feel as though I would have to cut out a lot of technology, and I would be moving backwards instead of forwards with all the progress technology has made. 

-My Stand
I support Network Neutrality. I, as a poor college student, obviously like not having to pay more money just to use YouTube or to watch Netflix. If Comcast wants to make a deal with Netflix and pay money to stop the degradation of videos, that is fine. However I do not want to do it.I also disagree with people blocking things on the Internet. Just because some people find something offensive, doesn't mean others will. I think everyone has the right to decide for themselves what they do or do not want to look at on the Internet. I really do not want to have to pay more money just so that my Internet will be quicker and have better quality. In college, being able to use the Internet quickly and effectively is so important. I feel as though without Network Neutrality, my life would have less technology and be far more difficult. 

-Other Links 
http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/world/2014/01/15/us-net-neutrality-ruling-explained-andrew-stevens.cnn.html

I generally find CNN to be a very credible site. In this video, the anchor states specific peoples' names from which he got the information from. 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/02/17/we-people-response-reaffirming-white-houses-commitment-net-neutrality

This is a credible link because the response to this recent petition is made by two men, both with strong titles and assistants to the President.