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My ISP is capable of denying services to me, its customer, based on principle (e.g. it conflicts with their business model). Ergo, they regulate what I can/cann

My ISP is capable of denying services to me, its customer, based on principle (e.g. it conflicts with their business model). Ergo, they regulate what I can/cannot do. Without government regulation to say "bad ISP, bad", they can regulate my ability to access services and charge me more to slowly peel back that regulation. In case you are still confused, here's the definition of 'regulation': > to control or direct by a rule, principle, method

eurleif 9y ago
Ok, and right now I'm "regulating" my fingers into typing a comment. Or maybe there's more to the word, particularly in context, than the shortest dictionary definition you were able to find.
- craftyguy 9y ago
  Well it's a widely accepted definition[1], so it's a bit ironic that you fail to understand there's more to the word, particularly in context. Popular synonyms include things like "restrict", "restrain", "control". 1) https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regulate https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regulate
  - eurleif 9y ago
    So then you agree I'm regulating my fingers.
    - theyinwhy 9y ago
      For your own sake I really hope you are able to regulate your own fingers. The term gatekeeper is maybe relevant in the context of the more serious side of this conversation. ISPs are gatekeepers and have the say what comes through their gate. They can regulate the flow of information.
drdaeman 9y ago
> My ISP It was said a few gajillion times, but let me repeat it once again. Here is the real problem: it's singular. My ISP works reasonably well for me, because I have at least 5 other non-wireless options whom I can pay if I'm not satisfied. It is this simple, and I've heard that it works not only where I've lived but in other cities and countries as well. And if all my options collude, then there is government to call.
- briandear 9y ago
  Absolutely this. Competition is the best regulation there is because it responds directly to the customer.
  - fouric 9y ago
    Competition is only the best regulation if the majority of the customers both know and care about correcting for the issues that regulation would usually cover, which is not true here (a maximum of 16 million legitimate comments were filed by the public on the FCC's decision, less than 10% of the 280 million or so internet users in the US), and so your comment is irrelevant, even ignoring the government-enforced regional monopolies that many ISPs have as a result of buying off local politicians.
  - zAy0LfpBZLC8mAC 9y ago
    Yeah, true. The best way towards safe food and drugs certainly is by relying on the expertise of the average customer to figure out what's dnagerous and what is not. Who is better equipped to judge the biological long-term effects of some mislabeled, contaminated food than your average customer?
  - dbasedweeb 9y ago
    Counterpoints: Tobacco. Cocaine. Morphine. Heroin. Laudanum. Alcohol. Car seatbelts. Leaded gasoline, paint, and glassware. Mercury (in hats, as a toy). Radon (in water), X-rays (for shoe fitting!), and Uranium (dentures).

eurleif 9y ago

Ok, and right now I'm "regulating" my fingers into typing a comment. Or maybe there's more to the word, particularly in context, than the shortest dictionary definition you were able to find.

craftyguy 9y ago
Well it's a widely accepted definition[1], so it's a bit ironic that you fail to understand there's more to the word, particularly in context. Popular synonyms include things like "restrict", "restrain", "control". 1) https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regulate https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/regulate
- eurleif 9y ago
  So then you agree I'm regulating my fingers.
  - theyinwhy 9y ago
    For your own sake I really hope you are able to regulate your own fingers. The term gatekeeper is maybe relevant in the context of the more serious side of this conversation. ISPs are gatekeepers and have the say what comes through their gate. They can regulate the flow of information.

drdaeman 9y ago

> My ISP It was said a few gajillion times, but let me repeat it once again. Here is the real problem: it's singular. My ISP works reasonably well for me, because I have at least 5 other non-wireless options whom I can pay if I'm not satisfied. It is this simple, and I've heard that it works not only where I've lived but in other cities and countries as well. And if all my options collude, then there is government to call.

briandear 9y ago
Absolutely this. Competition is the best regulation there is because it responds directly to the customer.
- fouric 9y ago
  Competition is only the best regulation if the majority of the customers both know and care about correcting for the issues that regulation would usually cover, which is not true here (a maximum of 16 million legitimate comments were filed by the public on the FCC's decision, less than 10% of the 280 million or so internet users in the US), and so your comment is irrelevant, even ignoring the government-enforced regional monopolies that many ISPs have as a result of buying off local politicians.
- zAy0LfpBZLC8mAC 9y ago
  Yeah, true. The best way towards safe food and drugs certainly is by relying on the expertise of the average customer to figure out what's dnagerous and what is not. Who is better equipped to judge the biological long-term effects of some mislabeled, contaminated food than your average customer?
- dbasedweeb 9y ago
  Counterpoints: Tobacco. Cocaine. Morphine. Heroin. Laudanum. Alcohol. Car seatbelts. Leaded gasoline, paint, and glassware. Mercury (in hats, as a toy). Radon (in water), X-rays (for shoe fitting!), and Uranium (dentures).