4 ms·

But power companies can refuse you service. So what is your point? In the US, it's pretty well established that the corporation has a right of free-speech too,

But power companies can refuse you service. So what is your point? In the US, it's pretty well established that the corporation has a right of free-speech too, which usually translates into the right to not to business with someone. See recent supreme court rulings.

jlarocco 8y ago
That's not entirely true. Power companies in some states can't refuse service, or they have to jump through a bunch of hoops to do so. I had an ex who would go 6-9 months without paying her utility bill, simply because there was nothing the power company could do about it. She was abusing the system, but the rules are setup that way so that people who really can't afford to pay their bill don't freeze to death in the winter.
- ggggtez 8y ago
  > in some states Look, power companies can cut power. Sure there are rules, but the point still stands that they can do it. But it's not even relevant because getting your power cut can affect your ability to remain alive. Not posting on Facebook is not going to kill anyone.
protomyth 8y ago
That's a bit of a misconception. In the US, there are plenty of laws that state a company must do business with you in various circumstances. See all the public accommodation laws. Beyond that, actually read the SC ruling on the whole cake thing and see its implications are not quite what the hype said.
- ggggtez 8y ago
  It's not even relevant because electricity is not an ISP and an ISP is not a social network, and net neutrality doesn't exist. And power companies can cut your power!
  - protomyth 8y ago
    Power companies have specific rules of when they can cut someones power. Many more companies than power (e.g. restaurants, groceries, etc.) have laws that require them to service customers. See all the public accommodation laws. If Silicon Valley keeps looking like it is coordinating its censorship, then I would expect those laws to be extended to ISPs & social networks.

jlarocco 8y ago

That's not entirely true. Power companies in some states can't refuse service, or they have to jump through a bunch of hoops to do so. I had an ex who would go 6-9 months without paying her utility bill, simply because there was nothing the power company could do about it. She was abusing the system, but the rules are setup that way so that people who really can't afford to pay their bill don't freeze to death in the winter.

ggggtez 8y ago
> in some states Look, power companies can cut power. Sure there are rules, but the point still stands that they can do it. But it's not even relevant because getting your power cut can affect your ability to remain alive. Not posting on Facebook is not going to kill anyone.

protomyth 8y ago

That's a bit of a misconception. In the US, there are plenty of laws that state a company must do business with you in various circumstances. See all the public accommodation laws. Beyond that, actually read the SC ruling on the whole cake thing and see its implications are not quite what the hype said.

ggggtez 8y ago
It's not even relevant because electricity is not an ISP and an ISP is not a social network, and net neutrality doesn't exist. And power companies can cut your power!
- protomyth 8y ago
  Power companies have specific rules of when they can cut someones power. Many more companies than power (e.g. restaurants, groceries, etc.) have laws that require them to service customers. See all the public accommodation laws. If Silicon Valley keeps looking like it is coordinating its censorship, then I would expect those laws to be extended to ISPs & social networks.