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Extortion is illegal with or without Net Neutrality. Skype and Verizon are both only in business because users find the services worth their money. That can c

Extortion is illegal with or without Net Neutrality. Skype and Verizon are both only in business because users find the services worth their money. That can change. If users are getting ripped off by shitty service, then it has ceased to be invisible to the users. Blockbuster is a horrible example. A lot of good that deal did them! This monopolized monoculture you describe has been crushed and blown to bits long ago by Netflix, Amazon, Apple and the rest of the internet. These are conspiracy theories, not rational arguments.

gamble 16y ago
> Blockbuster is a horrible example. A lot of good that deal did them! This monopolized monoculture you describe has been crushed and blown to bits long ago by Netflix, Amazon, Apple and the rest of the internet. Too bad Verizon hadn't thought about shaking down online video rental companies a few years ago. Blockbuster could have given them a sweet deal.
ericd 16y ago
It took far, far too long for Blockbuster to feel the effects of that. I really don't want things to be terrible for 15 years while a practice like this catches up to them. Besides, it sets a terrible precedent. And there are many services that are ripoffs that are largely below the consciousness of consumers.
- thebigshane 16y ago
  So lets say Blockbuster, as a benefactor if said agreement, became a monopoly for... 5 years? maybe 10? In this example, how were things that terrible? Independent movie rental shops couldn't compete? What else? Of course I don't want things to be terrible for 15 years, but I haven't heard anything that would lead me to reasonably believe it would be. If wireless internet remains less-regulated than wired for 5-10 years, what do you expect will happen? Verizon and Google will team up, hike wireless prices, block torrents and censor content? Maybe we should let events play out a little more before crying out that our internet freedoms are being trampled by faceless mega-corporations. Maybe Google, Verizon, FCC, and other agencies aren't sure yet how best to compromise on this complicated issue. Maybe demanding a non-negotiable "everything is free (as in freedom)" policy isn't the best response 1 day after a vague press release.

gamble 16y ago

> Blockbuster is a horrible example. A lot of good that deal did them! This monopolized monoculture you describe has been crushed and blown to bits long ago by Netflix, Amazon, Apple and the rest of the internet. Too bad Verizon hadn't thought about shaking down online video rental companies a few years ago. Blockbuster could have given them a sweet deal.

ericd 16y ago

It took far, far too long for Blockbuster to feel the effects of that. I really don't want things to be terrible for 15 years while a practice like this catches up to them. Besides, it sets a terrible precedent. And there are many services that are ripoffs that are largely below the consciousness of consumers.

thebigshane 16y ago
So lets say Blockbuster, as a benefactor if said agreement, became a monopoly for... 5 years? maybe 10? In this example, how were things that terrible? Independent movie rental shops couldn't compete? What else? Of course I don't want things to be terrible for 15 years, but I haven't heard anything that would lead me to reasonably believe it would be. If wireless internet remains less-regulated than wired for 5-10 years, what do you expect will happen? Verizon and Google will team up, hike wireless prices, block torrents and censor content? Maybe we should let events play out a little more before crying out that our internet freedoms are being trampled by faceless mega-corporations. Maybe Google, Verizon, FCC, and other agencies aren't sure yet how best to compromise on this complicated issue. Maybe demanding a non-negotiable "everything is free (as in freedom)" policy isn't the best response 1 day after a vague press release.