The People Are Speaking: Free Internet Act
So after reading about the latest horrifying international treaties, ACTA and TPP, are you still feeling warm and fuzzy about your government’s actions? Looking around at the ACTA protests that are gaining in volume, I’d say that it’s a resounding “NO!” And what do you think will happen when the TPP becomes well known? People are on both sides of the fence about the validity of our current IP regime, though one side seems to be getting pretty crowded now that a hole’s been created, don’t you think? It’s not about a clear-cut generational issue more than it is about where we’re going as a human species. The current path is destructive, though there are a lot of people working on balanced change that gives us a fighting chance for a positive future. Let’s get to know a group of netizens who are out to do just that.
Where the FIA began
Blackout Wednesday, the shot heard around the Internet, was started by a call from Reddit. With the US Congress acting as a non-stop battering ram against citizens’ rights around the globe, talk swirls around how out of touch they seem with how people collaborate in the 21st century. The 20th century model of economic protectionism is being rapidly replaced by global social protectionism. And the netizens want to ensure that their free and democratic Internet remains off the spoils of war list treasured by all of our governments. It seems that someone forgot to send the memo to our global leaders telling them that the Cold War ended some time ago, and could they please join the rest of us who inhabit the 21st century.
Well, the always outspoken Redditers aim to correct institutional tunnel-vision with a work-in-progress document named the Free Internet Act. Listen to the co-founder of Reddit, Alexis Ohanian, describe their efforts:
As Alexis mentions, we are in uncharted territory as nothing like this has ever been done before. If you go to the FIA subreddit, you’ll see the conversation growing as they decide the best way to tackle such an enormous and unknown undertaking. They’re asking important questions like the scope of the FIA, the important factors that need to be included, and just what they want to accomplish. This task is difficult because the actions of our governments everywhere seem to be solely focused on one-stop shopping solutions that keep the current model of economic protectionism intact at the cost of human rights. The global citizenship are rightfully worried:
- How do we engage with governments who don’t view the world in the same way as their populace does?
- Is it even possible for our governments to understand their truest obligation to their citizens when their focus is drawn away by what is amounting to unlimited bribery by corporations and lobbyists?
- And how do we get those people who support a continued increase in oppressive IP regimes to understand the slippery slope they’re willing to cross just so their morally-ambiguous paychecks continue to roll in?
The belief in a free Internet is global and it’s only growing in volume. The Free Internet Act might be just the tool to help those who believe in the power and sanctity of the Internet get the attention of our world governments. But it needs to grow from the thoughts of individuals. It needs our help to mature.
We need basic free speech rights…copyright reform…privacy… – Alexis Ohanian
And in case you’re wondering just how low our “venerable” institutions are willing to go to make money, check out the latest news coming out of Harvard Law School: Harvard Sells Naming Rights to Its New Bathrooms, and a Berkeley Law Professor Couldn’t be Happier
The people are speaking loud and clear now, and they’re saying that they’re sick and tired of our present lifestyle that obsesses about economics. The question is will they be heard before the whole world ends up for sale?
At the Urban Times, we want to help this happen. To all of our readers out there, give us your ideas so that we can work in conjunction with Reddit to make this idea become a reality. We look forward to hearing about your thoughts, suggestions, and feelings. Stay tuned for more.
I'm just one person, but I support the FIA! I'll do what I can to make sure this sees the light of day!
Thanks, Reddit will appreciate it. Because when one person is added to another, and another, and on and on... well, great things are created by people working together.
[...] a venue that allows all people to create the lives that they want to lead. It’s a place where money or power doesn’t reign supreme. We(b) Love. Source: Neal on [...]
[...] a venue that allows all people to create the lives that they want to lead. It’s a place where money or power doesn’t reign supreme. We(b) Love. Source: Neal on [...]
[...] than ever given access to resources, information, and those who make important decisions – “netizens” have a new-found influence on society and the world around [...]
[...] to other treatments. And this ruling comes at the same time that international agreements like ACTA and TPP are being actively debated by the global population at large, which bodes another [...]
[...] involved, such as those of Syria, Saudi Arabia and the Sudan, countries not particularly prone to free speech. How about Iran? Would the Ayatollah’s clerics and their political associates be someone [...]