Cable companies and phone companies may hold all the power when it comes to network neutrality, but proponents of regulations that would bar broadband providers from discriminating against third-parties are definitely more fun. The latest sign that pro-net neutrality advocates are way cooler than the anti-net neutrality camp: Michael Stipe from R.E.M. has joined Moby (with this addition the cool quotient rose substantially) in supporting net neutrality regulations.
“This is yet another attempt by corporations and their congressional buddies to pull our society backward rather than moving us forward,” Michael Stipe of R.E.M said. “These corporations are trying to set up tollbooths on the information superhighway. We need to keep Net Neutrality so the Internet remains a free and level playing field.”
R.E.M actually blogged about the topic last week. Moby, as mentioned yesterday, will join Representative Ed Markey (D-MA) at a net neutrality event today in Washington announcing the formation of a new coalition, “Artists and Musicians for Internet Freedom.”
Cynthia Brumfield at 9:27 AM|Comments(7)
I think we can all agree that with a rare few exceptions, artists should not make much of a difference when it comes to serious debates. Net neutrality is just such a debate. Now if Michael Stipe would like to enlighten me on the argument between increased regulation and the ideal of undifferentiated service, I might care a little more what he has to say.
Posted by: Stevens33 at May 24, 2006 8:40 AM
Alyssa Milano is all well and good, but where does Tony Danza stand on net neutrality? I let Danza dictate all of my opinions, foreign AND domestic!
The sad thing is that most of America will be swayed by the 'expert' advocacy of these celebrities, because being able to act, sing, or play sports gives an individual a far better understanding of politics, business, and the Internet than the people who actually work in those fields... like the CEO of Cisco (who is against net neutrality, by the way)
Posted by: watcher at May 22, 2006 9:46 PM
I guess it should be no surprise that the 'cool' factor is what will determine most people's position on this. We have bodybuilders, wrestlers, and maybe a wide receiver as governors, and we like Dubya because he seems like somebody we'd like to share a can of Pabst Blue Ribbon with. It's the American way. Too bad the facts point to NN regulation as the wrong thing to do.
Posted by: Peezle at May 21, 2006 3:21 PM
Ya'll forgot to mention that Alyssa Milano is also stumping for NN. Clearly, another mental powerhouse to whom we should all defer on this issue. And while we're at it, let's discount the 32 hardware manufacturers--including 3M and Cisco--that came out against NN...they're not nearly as cool.
Posted by: pandora at May 21, 2006 1:06 PM
I wonder if Google and Microsoft have some "new album" deal with old timey musicians such as Moby and REM. Why else would these artists come out from out of the woodworks. Who's next? Sinead OConnor?
Posted by: Net Chick at May 20, 2006 7:10 PM
Wow - I didn't know Michael Stipe was such an expert on the Internet! Clearly, he's not and it's even more obvious he's being fed information so he can collect on his big paycheck from Microsoft and Google lobbying geeks. The real issue here is continued access to the Internet. I want innovation and competition that brings more technology to me. If big government steps in on a topic they really have no understanding of, we all are going to lose out.
Posted by: Luv2Box at May 18, 2006 9:30 PM
With Mike AND Moby both on board as favoring net neutrality, end of disucssion!!
Posted by: UJHecker at May 18, 2006 2:54 PM
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