The Future of Humanity: An Argument Against Network Discrimination

      I am an avid internet user, and I am convinced that the internet is the future of progress. Since its advent, the internet has steadily plowed through obstacles and ushered in a new age of development. Although the internet has great potential, it is being undermined by the age old problem of discrimination; however, discrimination has plagued far more than just the internet in its day. We have seen discrimination in racial injustice, gender inequality, LGBTQ rights, and religious liberty. Now this plague has infected the very framework of our world--the internet. This “infection” is known as Broadband Discrimination, which is more commonly known as Net Bias. Net Bias is the ability which Internet Service Providers (ISP) have which allows them to discriminate against different types of internet content users. If Net Bias can be removed from the internet system, the internet will be more cost effective, will become a tool for small businesses, and most importantly, equality and freedom will govern the web and our future.

"Internet map" by The Opte Project

     The internet isn't free. The costs associated with it are extensive. For instance, your Facebook wall is built
by a content owner who paid somebody to program the code for the page. That code is then uploaded to a server which cost hundreds of dollars to construct, not to mention the programming which went into it. From there the server attaches itself to the internet. In order to attach to the internet, ISP’s had to provide the internet connection. To create this internet connection, many towers must be built and many miles of cable must be laid. From there, the internet tower connects the server to another tower in a different part of the world, and the process repeats itself until it is routed to your personal computer where you see it in the form of a webpage. The cost of internet is very large to say the least. Net Bias uses the complexities of this system to exploit certain types of traffic and generate unfair revenue. Because of the bias built into the system, everyday content consumers are forced to pay more for a lower quality service. By eliminating Net Bias, we would effectively allow the system to distribute the wealth fairly, and lower the prices for everyone involved.

     One vital factor in internet-based progress is small business. Every major advancement started small. Before exploitation of the internet began, many businesses prospered. Even ISP’s started off small, but now they throttle the very thing which gave them a chance. Net Bias gives priority to those who are successful. An ISP makes such large profits by requiring a higher price for quality service. This limits high-quality service to big businesses with lots of money, restricts growth and innovation, and favors the status-quo. Small business is key to progress. As Nicole Leinback-Reyhle put it, “Small business is--quite frankly--big business”(1). She went on to explain that the majority of successful and progressive businesses are small ones (1). The Small Business Administration also estimates that about half of all small businesses die within 5 years of starting (1). This death is caused primarily by oppressive expenses or large scale competition. Net Bias perpetuates this problem by adding additional expenses and favoring big businesses. In doing this, Net Bias stifles progress and strangles improvement.

     The internet embodies the future of improvement and progress; in reality, it embodies the future of our race. Because of its vast importance for our future, it is essential that we remove dangerous flaws such as Net Bias from the equation. We have discussed many of the problems which pertain to Net Bias in the internet system, but there are several practical avenues for eliminating those problems. The most applicable solution is known as Network Neutrality. The actual definition of Network Neutrality is a subject of debate; however, there is a general principle, “At its simplest, network neutrality is the principle that all Internet traffic should be created equally” (Roebuck 144). Columbia Law School professor Tim Wu, who coined the term Network Neutrality, suggested the most effective application for the aforementioned principle. He suggested that telecommunication laws be implemented to protect the rights of all internet players, manage discrimination, as well as regulate other social goals (16). Wu’s writings have generated a movement, which is pushing for the Federal Communications Commission to implement rules regulating discrimination. It is in these regulations that equality and freedom will come to internet users.

     At the end of the day, we will either have Broadband Discrimination in the internet system, or we won’t; however, the consequences of either will be existential. If we allow Net Bias to remain in the system, then the consequences are inequality, inefficiency, and stagnation. By implementing Network Neutrality and eliminating Net Bias, we will see greater freedom, equality, and societal progress. Network Neutrality is the anti-discrimination movement of today and it will usher in equality and progress for all, no matter your race, gender, or the size of your paycheck.

Works Cited:

Leinback-Reyhle, Nicole. "Why You Need to Support Small Businesses." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 2 Sept. 2014. Web. 12 May 2015.

Roebuck, Kevin. "Network Neutrality." CMTS High-impact Strategies - What You Need to Know: Definitions, Adoptions, Impact, Benefits, Maturity, Vendors. Dayboro: Emereo Pub., 2012. 143-162. Print.

"The Voice of Small Business in Government." Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy. Small Business Administration, Mar. 2014. Web. 12 May 2015.

Wu, Tim. "Why Have a Telecommunications Law?: Anti-Discrimination Norms in Communications." Journal on Telecommunications and High Technology Law 5 (2006): 15-46. Social Science Research Network. Social Science Electronic Publishing. Web. 14 May 2015.