Comments on: Broadband as a Human Right (and a short list of other things I am entitled to on your dime) http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/ Keeping politicians' hands off the Net & everything else related to technology Sun, 27 May 2012 22:43:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: El advenimiento del populismo digital http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-73629 El advenimiento del populismo digital Fri, 29 Apr 2011 16:18:13 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-73629 <p>[...] Adam Thierer: Broadband as a Human Right (and a short list of other things I am entitled to on your dime) Claudio Ruiz: ¿Qué tipo de Derecho a Internet garantiza [...]</p> [...] Adam Thierer: Broadband as a Human Right (and a short list of other things I am entitled to on your dime) Claudio Ruiz: ¿Qué tipo de Derecho a Internet garantiza [...]

]]> By: Who Cares about Broadband? http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-69894 Who Cares about Broadband? Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:14:25 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-69894 <p>[...] Of course, as I’ve noted here many times before, liberty is a loser these days and the natural progression of history is for Big Government to just grow and grow and grow.  So, I am prepared to get in line for my own tech handouts, as I noted in my essay last October, “Broadband as a Human Right (and a short list of other things I am entitled to on your dime).” [...]</p> [...] Of course, as I’ve noted here many times before, liberty is a loser these days and the natural progression of history is for Big Government to just grow and grow and grow.  So, I am prepared to get in line for my own tech handouts, as I noted in my essay last October, “Broadband as a Human Right (and a short list of other things I am entitled to on your dime).” [...]

]]> By: The Progress & Freedom Foundation Blog http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-66215 The Progress & Freedom Foundation Blog Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:23:09 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-66215 <p><strong>What is All This Nonsense about Smartphone Early Termination Fees?...</strong></p> <p>[caption id="attachment_25430" align="alignright" width="116" caption="Worth It?"][/caption] OK, time for a quick rant. What is all this confusion and consternation over early termination fees (ETFs) for high-end smartphones? I mean, seriously,...</p> What is All This Nonsense about Smartphone Early Termination Fees?…

[caption id="attachment_25430" align="alignright" width="116" caption="Worth It?"][/caption] OK, time for a quick rant. What is all this confusion and consternation over early termination fees (ETFs) for high-end smartphones? I mean, seriously,…

]]> By: What is All This Nonsense about Smartphone Early Termination Fees? — Technology Liberation Front http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-66212 What is All This Nonsense about Smartphone Early Termination Fees? — Technology Liberation Front Wed, 27 Jan 2010 03:43:57 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-66212 <p>[...] Prorating happens every day in countless ways in a capitalist economy.  And yet in the apparent techno-entitlement society we live in these days, some people seem to think there’s something scandalous about this [...]</p> [...] Prorating happens every day in countless ways in a capitalist economy.  And yet in the apparent techno-entitlement society we live in these days, some people seem to think there’s something scandalous about this [...]

]]> By: Brandon http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-65292 Brandon Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:19:47 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-65292 <p>It's also a total myth that most Americans need access to broadband in order to survive. You can still get by fine without access to Internet. Sure, having broadband is great, but it's a LUXURY!!! The "importance" of it to being an American or being in the developed world does not make it more urgent that everyone have it. What about cars, food, electronics, healthcare, education, etc.? These socialists need to get their heads out of their asses. I'm only 22, and I'm still in college, but I didn't have access to broadband at home til I was like 21. I had dialup before then, and I didn't have a computer until I was like 12 or 13!!! But I got by just fine! I'd like to know where all these students are that "need" broadband access, esp. at home, to "do homework" or complete school projects.<br><br>Julius Genachowski sounds like a Soviet commissar with all his "ambitious regulatory goals." Does he not believe in free enterprise? Why does gov't need to direct all this crap and play on people's fears of a fictional "spectrum crisis"?</p> It's also a total myth that most Americans need access to broadband in order to survive. You can still get by fine without access to Internet. Sure, having broadband is great, but it's a LUXURY!!! The “importance” of it to being an American or being in the developed world does not make it more urgent that everyone have it. What about cars, food, electronics, healthcare, education, etc.? These socialists need to get their heads out of their asses. I'm only 22, and I'm still in college, but I didn't have access to broadband at home til I was like 21. I had dialup before then, and I didn't have a computer until I was like 12 or 13!!! But I got by just fine! I'd like to know where all these students are that “need” broadband access, esp. at home, to “do homework” or complete school projects.

Julius Genachowski sounds like a Soviet commissar with all his “ambitious regulatory goals.” Does he not believe in free enterprise? Why does gov't need to direct all this crap and play on people's fears of a fictional “spectrum crisis”?

]]> By: Brandon http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-65291 Brandon Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:15:44 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-65291 <p>Free broadband? Lol! I missed the part of the Constitution that says that's a right. We don't NEED free broadband for moochers. It's a total myth to say that people in rural areas can't get a single broadband provider. And I'm pretty sure most of America's farmers make enough money from crop sales and a good chunk get subsidies from the gov't!!! And why does every poor person need BROADBAND?? Why not dialup, at the most? You can still do a lot with dialup or ISDN. Or even wireless Internet. <br><br>This universal broadband movement is crap. Just more liberal big-gov't propaganda. We don't need EVERY person to have a service to become "competitive", whatever the free-broadbanders mean by that, if they even mean what the term actually means. The private sector is doing fine! 10 years ago we couldn't have imagined how technologically advanced we've become in 2009! Plenty of people have broadband or dialup, and no one needs free Internet. <br><br>At the very least, if poor folks are gonna get free broadband, they should have to pay a monthly user fee. If they can pay for a public option with premiums, they can pay for free Internet. No "free" handouts.</p> Free broadband? Lol! I missed the part of the Constitution that says that's a right. We don't NEED free broadband for moochers. It's a total myth to say that people in rural areas can't get a single broadband provider. And I'm pretty sure most of America's farmers make enough money from crop sales and a good chunk get subsidies from the gov't!!! And why does every poor person need BROADBAND?? Why not dialup, at the most? You can still do a lot with dialup or ISDN. Or even wireless Internet.

This universal broadband movement is crap. Just more liberal big-gov't propaganda. We don't need EVERY person to have a service to become “competitive”, whatever the free-broadbanders mean by that, if they even mean what the term actually means. The private sector is doing fine! 10 years ago we couldn't have imagined how technologically advanced we've become in 2009! Plenty of people have broadband or dialup, and no one needs free Internet.

At the very least, if poor folks are gonna get free broadband, they should have to pay a monthly user fee. If they can pay for a public option with premiums, they can pay for free Internet. No “free” handouts.

]]> By: Brandon http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-63743 Brandon Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:19:47 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-63743 <p>It's also a total myth that most Americans need access to broadband in order to survive. You can still get by fine without access to Internet. Sure, having broadband is great, but it's a LUXURY!!! The "importance" of it to being an American or being in the developed world does not make it more urgent that everyone have it. What about cars, food, electronics, healthcare, education, etc.? These socialists need to get their heads out of their asses. I'm only 22, and I'm still in college, but I didn't have access to broadband at home til I was like 21. I had dialup before then, and I didn't have a computer until I was like 12 or 13!!! But I got by just fine! I'd like to know where all these students are that "need" broadband access, esp. at home, to "do homework" or complete school projects.<br><br>Julius Genachowski sounds like a Soviet commissar with all his "ambitious regulatory goals." Does he not believe in free enterprise? Why does gov't need to direct all this crap and play on people's fears of a fictional "spectrum crisis"?</p> It's also a total myth that most Americans need access to broadband in order to survive. You can still get by fine without access to Internet. Sure, having broadband is great, but it's a LUXURY!!! The “importance” of it to being an American or being in the developed world does not make it more urgent that everyone have it. What about cars, food, electronics, healthcare, education, etc.? These socialists need to get their heads out of their asses. I'm only 22, and I'm still in college, but I didn't have access to broadband at home til I was like 21. I had dialup before then, and I didn't have a computer until I was like 12 or 13!!! But I got by just fine! I'd like to know where all these students are that “need” broadband access, esp. at home, to “do homework” or complete school projects.

Julius Genachowski sounds like a Soviet commissar with all his “ambitious regulatory goals.” Does he not believe in free enterprise? Why does gov't need to direct all this crap and play on people's fears of a fictional “spectrum crisis”?

]]> By: Brandon http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-63742 Brandon Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:15:44 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-63742 <p>Free broadband? Lol! I missed the part of the Constitution that says that's a right. We don't NEED free broadband for moochers. It's a total myth to say that people in rural areas can't get a single broadband provider. And I'm pretty sure most of America's farmers make enough money from crop sales and a good chunk get subsidies from the gov't!!! And why does every poor person need BROADBAND?? Why not dialup, at the most? You can still do a lot with dialup or ISDN. Or even wireless Internet. <br><br>This universal broadband movement is crap. Just more liberal big-gov't propaganda. We don't need EVERY person to have a service to become "competitive", whatever the free-broadbanders mean by that, if they even mean what the term actually means. The private sector is doing fine! 10 years ago we couldn't have imagined how technologically advanced we've become in 2009! Plenty of people have broadband or dialup, and no one needs free Internet. <br><br>At the very least, if poor folks are gonna get free broadband, they should have to pay a monthly user fee. If they can pay for a public option with premiums, they can pay for free Internet. No "free" handouts.</p> Free broadband? Lol! I missed the part of the Constitution that says that's a right. We don't NEED free broadband for moochers. It's a total myth to say that people in rural areas can't get a single broadband provider. And I'm pretty sure most of America's farmers make enough money from crop sales and a good chunk get subsidies from the gov't!!! And why does every poor person need BROADBAND?? Why not dialup, at the most? You can still do a lot with dialup or ISDN. Or even wireless Internet.

This universal broadband movement is crap. Just more liberal big-gov't propaganda. We don't need EVERY person to have a service to become “competitive”, whatever the free-broadbanders mean by that, if they even mean what the term actually means. The private sector is doing fine! 10 years ago we couldn't have imagined how technologically advanced we've become in 2009! Plenty of people have broadband or dialup, and no one needs free Internet.

At the very least, if poor folks are gonna get free broadband, they should have to pay a monthly user fee. If they can pay for a public option with premiums, they can pay for free Internet. No “free” handouts.

]]> By: Finnishing What the Finns Started: EU Adopts a “Right” to Broadband — Technology Liberation Front http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-63353 Finnishing What the Finns Started: EU Adopts a “Right” to Broadband — Technology Liberation Front Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:31:57 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-63353 <p>[...] Finns the “right” to a 1 megabit broadband connection. That sort of entitlement is pure cyber-collectivism. Cyber-libertarianism recognize instead that: true “Internet freedom” is freedom from state [...]</p> [...] Finns the “right” to a 1 megabit broadband connection. That sort of entitlement is pure cyber-collectivism. Cyber-libertarianism recognize instead that: true “Internet freedom” is freedom from state [...]

]]> By: “Internet Freedom”: How Statists Corrupt Our Language — Technology Liberation Front http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-63191 “Internet Freedom”: How Statists Corrupt Our Language — Technology Liberation Front Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:29:37 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-63191 <p>[...] cyber-socialism: Rights become not the sacred defense of the individual, but a positive assertion of entitlement to a vaguely defined principle of access: why guaranteeing this access, government gains unlimited [...]</p> [...] cyber-socialism: Rights become not the sacred defense of the individual, but a positive assertion of entitlement to a vaguely defined principle of access: why guaranteeing this access, government gains unlimited [...]

]]> By: DRo http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-63171 DRo Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:05:54 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-63171 <p>Godwinned. Thread over.</p> Godwinned. Thread over.

]]> By: Berin Szoka http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-62947 Berin Szoka Fri, 16 Oct 2009 21:25:16 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-62947 <p>I was referring to our "communist imagery and symbolism."</p> I was referring to our “communist imagery and symbolism.”

]]> By: BD http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-62943 BD Fri, 16 Oct 2009 05:07:33 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-62943 <p>It's actually not irony at all. <br><br>And Adam, by adding a single sentence:<br><br>"That seems to be where our current FCC is heading, anyway." <br><br>You turned what could have been a semi-funny sarcastic post into another ridiculous slippery slope whinefest of the variety that claims that any attempt to regulate anything must put us on the path to socialism. I get enough of that s*** from cable.</p> It's actually not irony at all.

And Adam, by adding a single sentence:

“That seems to be where our current FCC is heading, anyway.”

You turned what could have been a semi-funny sarcastic post into another ridiculous slippery slope whinefest of the variety that claims that any attempt to regulate anything must put us on the path to socialism. I get enough of that s*** from cable.

]]> By: You Have a Right to Pursue Happiness, Not a Right to Happiness [Broadband as a Right] « The SiliconANGLE http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-62942 You Have a Right to Pursue Happiness, Not a Right to Happiness [Broadband as a Right] « The SiliconANGLE Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:53:27 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-62942 <p>[...] Liberation Front blogger Adam Thierer made a solid point regarding Finland’s decision to make broadband access a fundamental right for it’s citizens: [...]</p> [...] Liberation Front blogger Adam Thierer made a solid point regarding Finland’s decision to make broadband access a fundamental right for it’s citizens: [...]

]]> By: Joshua http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-62940 Joshua Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:42:57 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-62940 <p>Broadband access at the point of a gun. What we gain technologically we diminish morally.</p> Broadband access at the point of a gun. What we gain technologically we diminish morally.

]]> By: mwendy http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-62939 mwendy Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:03:00 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-62939 <p>No, sorry, it's not.</p> No, sorry, it's not.

]]> By: dm http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-62938 dm Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:58:47 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-62938 <p>Twaddle.<br><br>Brad can speak for himself, but I think the word you're looking for isn't "socialism", it's "investment".</p> Twaddle.

Brad can speak for himself, but I think the word you're looking for isn't “socialism”, it's “investment”.

]]> By: mwendy http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-62936 mwendy Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:23:20 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-62936 <p>Brad, by "spreading broadband" you mean expropriating access of unregulated, privately-owned facilities through government law or rule, right? In other words, taking their property. Sounds fishy (socialist?) to me - especially given that there isn't a problem.<br><br>FDR's 2nd Bill of Rights on Steroids! Let the Rights collision begin.</p> Brad, by “spreading broadband” you mean expropriating access of unregulated, privately-owned facilities through government law or rule, right? In other words, taking their property. Sounds fishy (socialist?) to me – especially given that there isn't a problem.

FDR's 2nd Bill of Rights on Steroids! Let the Rights collision begin.

]]> By: dm http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-62935 dm Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:59:40 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-62935 <p>One wonders if there will be a Lapp-top program to go with it?<br><br>I suppose a country that straddles the Arctic Circle may also take into account the savings from a reduction in snow-removal costs --- down to the level required by emergency vehicles and delivery trucks --- if everyone can telecommute and shop from home. This bandwidth program might pay for itself.<br><br>And finally, I look forward to a time when technology enables the realization of even Adam's lampooned dreams --- when the contemporary equivalent of an Xbox can be delivered as easily as bandwith can be found in an urban setting.</p> One wonders if there will be a Lapp-top program to go with it?

I suppose a country that straddles the Arctic Circle may also take into account the savings from a reduction in snow-removal costs — down to the level required by emergency vehicles and delivery trucks — if everyone can telecommute and shop from home. This bandwidth program might pay for itself.

And finally, I look forward to a time when technology enables the realization of even Adam's lampooned dreams — when the contemporary equivalent of an Xbox can be delivered as easily as bandwith can be found in an urban setting.

]]> By: Brad Weikel http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-62934 Brad Weikel Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:24:14 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-62934 <p>The US Constitution is neither an exhaustive catalog of reasonable rights (legally or morally), nor a checklist for building a just and healthy society, and believing that spreading broadband access should be a national priority does not make me or anyone else a socialist (whatever that word actually means in the 21st century).<br><br>This blunt-force ideological drivel really hurts the legitimacy of your occasionally thoughtful, nuanced posts.</p> The US Constitution is neither an exhaustive catalog of reasonable rights (legally or morally), nor a checklist for building a just and healthy society, and believing that spreading broadband access should be a national priority does not make me or anyone else a socialist (whatever that word actually means in the 21st century).

This blunt-force ideological drivel really hurts the legitimacy of your occasionally thoughtful, nuanced posts.

]]> By: cryptozoologist http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-62933 cryptozoologist Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:16:38 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-62933 <p>i find your slippery slope argument to be less than convincing and i (really) believe that by allowing the discussion to devolve into reductio ad absurdium you diminish the cause of personal liberty. it really is no great stretch to equate internet connectivity to the system of roads, indeed it is often called the information superhighway. i am hopeful (confident even) that you would consider freedom of speech to be a human right. internet connectivity is a great facilitator of free speech and public discourse. just because it hasn't been around since the beginning of recorded history does not imply internet access is not a human right. suppose you personally were to be banned from the internet because, say you were found guilty in a court of law of using an image on your blog that you had not secured the proper rights to. perhaps then you might start thinking of that internet access as a human right.</p> i find your slippery slope argument to be less than convincing and i (really) believe that by allowing the discussion to devolve into reductio ad absurdium you diminish the cause of personal liberty. it really is no great stretch to equate internet connectivity to the system of roads, indeed it is often called the information superhighway. i am hopeful (confident even) that you would consider freedom of speech to be a human right. internet connectivity is a great facilitator of free speech and public discourse. just because it hasn't been around since the beginning of recorded history does not imply internet access is not a human right. suppose you personally were to be banned from the internet because, say you were found guilty in a court of law of using an image on your blog that you had not secured the proper rights to. perhaps then you might start thinking of that internet access as a human right.

]]> By: juliansanchez http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-62932 juliansanchez Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:55:05 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-62932 <p>Eh. I think (1) this is indeed pretty silly, but (2) broadband has a plausible connection to the demands of 21st century education and democratic participation that HD flatscreens and Xboxes don't. So it's not at quite the same level of ridiculousness.</p> Eh. I think (1) this is indeed pretty silly, but (2) broadband has a plausible connection to the demands of 21st century education and democratic participation that HD flatscreens and Xboxes don't. So it's not at quite the same level of ridiculousness.

]]> By: RLB http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-62931 RLB Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:50:39 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-62931 <p>You know who <i>else</i> liked Finland??? LOL</p> You know who else liked Finland??? LOL

]]> By: Berin Szoka http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-62930 Berin Szoka Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:01:53 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-62930 <p>Dude, it's IRONY!</p> Dude, it's IRONY!

]]> By: Steve R. http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-62929 Steve R. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:13:38 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-62929 <p>"Broadband as a Human" right is somewhat of a "red herring" in that the transmission of packets is being dissociated from the hardware. At the fundamental level, in order to use broadband, you still have to buy the hardware. I don't believe anyone is claiming a inalienable right to "free" hardware. So in buying the hardware, the ability to use broadband has been paid for. Over Against Monopoly, one post was <a href="http://www.againstmonopoly.org/index.php?perm=593056000000001714" rel="nofollow">Facilities fees: "That'll be $20 for the haircut and $10 for the chair"</a>. So if you paid for it, then you should be entitled to use it. (Yes I realize that their are operational costs, that you must pay through your ISP subscription.)<br><br>Also, if the citizens of a country collectively vote for "free broadband" then there is a valid entitlement. Also, remember that even if the service is "free" (paid by taxes), companies are still able to make money by providing the services and the equipment. So what is the big deal?</p> “Broadband as a Human” right is somewhat of a “red herring” in that the transmission of packets is being dissociated from the hardware. At the fundamental level, in order to use broadband, you still have to buy the hardware. I don't believe anyone is claiming a inalienable right to “free” hardware. So in buying the hardware, the ability to use broadband has been paid for. Over Against Monopoly, one post was Facilities fees: “That'll be $20 for the haircut and $10 for the chair”. So if you paid for it, then you should be entitled to use it. (Yes I realize that their are operational costs, that you must pay through your ISP subscription.)

Also, if the citizens of a country collectively vote for “free broadband” then there is a valid entitlement. Also, remember that even if the service is “free” (paid by taxes), companies are still able to make money by providing the services and the equipment. So what is the big deal?

]]> By: skylights http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-62927 skylights Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:35:03 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-62927 <p>This is a great step forward for mankind. I hope other countries follow suit. Ah, I see you work for the Cato Institute and other Scaife-funded organizations which worship laissez-faire capitalism. Why all the communist imagery and symbolism, then?</p> This is a great step forward for mankind. I hope other countries follow suit. Ah, I see you work for the Cato Institute and other Scaife-funded organizations which worship laissez-faire capitalism. Why all the communist imagery and symbolism, then?

]]> By: dm http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-62921 dm Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:59:50 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-62921 <p>To elaborate a bit, 8% of Finland's GDP comes from telecommunications exports. Over a third of the population already has broadband service that exceeds the level they want to have spread to the entire population. This connectivity will raise the standard of living in Finland and will make it easier to make money --- just as government-provided roads do.<br><br>Also, Finland is in a recession, along with the rest of us. This is a "shovel ready" project that will benefit domestic Finnish companies while laying the foundations for economic growth in the future.<br><br>I'm still bemused, but the more I look into it, the more common-sensical it appears.</p> To elaborate a bit, 8% of Finland's GDP comes from telecommunications exports. Over a third of the population already has broadband service that exceeds the level they want to have spread to the entire population. This connectivity will raise the standard of living in Finland and will make it easier to make money — just as government-provided roads do.

Also, Finland is in a recession, along with the rest of us. This is a “shovel ready” project that will benefit domestic Finnish companies while laying the foundations for economic growth in the future.

I'm still bemused, but the more I look into it, the more common-sensical it appears.

]]> By: dm http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-62919 dm Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:31:10 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-62919 <p>Very clever? This japery was turning gray when the first municipal water system was introduced.<br><br>It's kind of silly to make fun of Finland --- which already is quite well connected, after all, and seems to be being quite successful at technological and design innovation --- particularly in communications.<br><br>it used to be that one didn't have a "right" to travel on roads. Now one does, mostly because roads are basically too cheap to meter --- and free access to good roads make it cheaper to deliver goods, making the nation more productive, and <i>all of us richer</I>. I'm sure that when the tolls were torn down there was an Adam Thierer decrying the fact that people were no longer (literally) going to pull their own weight in transportation. Most large cities provide (residential) waste removal because it's basically too expensive to bother with metering (and there's the public health problem of trash that is improperly removed). (Ironically, technological advances may make both waste removal and roads easier to meter, and it might make sense to meter them.)<br><br>Oh, I'm bemused by the Finnish move, too. But they're a wealthy country. They can afford it.</i></p> Very clever? This japery was turning gray when the first municipal water system was introduced.

It's kind of silly to make fun of Finland — which already is quite well connected, after all, and seems to be being quite successful at technological and design innovation — particularly in communications.

it used to be that one didn't have a “right” to travel on roads. Now one does, mostly because roads are basically too cheap to meter — and free access to good roads make it cheaper to deliver goods, making the nation more productive, and all of us richer. I'm sure that when the tolls were torn down there was an Adam Thierer decrying the fact that people were no longer (literally) going to pull their own weight in transportation. Most large cities provide (residential) waste removal because it's basically too expensive to bother with metering (and there's the public health problem of trash that is improperly removed). (Ironically, technological advances may make both waste removal and roads easier to meter, and it might make sense to meter them.)

Oh, I'm bemused by the Finnish move, too. But they're a wealthy country. They can afford it.

]]> By: Adrian Salsgiver http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-62918 Adrian Salsgiver Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:25:54 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-62918 <p>Free lifetime tech support when all this crap breaks down? When your call hardware they say it is software, then you call software and they say it is hardware - and when you get them both on the phone they say it is all your fault that their shit does not work. That is just how it is. <br><br>Oh yeah, I am really gonna get FIOS and have a chip implanted into my brain so they can figure out in advance what TV shows I should watch. This is science. ;-)</p> Free lifetime tech support when all this crap breaks down? When your call hardware they say it is software, then you call software and they say it is hardware – and when you get them both on the phone they say it is all your fault that their shit does not work. That is just how it is.

Oh yeah, I am really gonna get FIOS and have a chip implanted into my brain so they can figure out in advance what TV shows I should watch. This is science. ;-)

]]> By: Jim_Lakely http://techliberation.com/2009/10/14/broadband-as-a-human-right-and-a-short-list-of-other-things-i-am-entitled-to-on-your-dime/comment-page-1/#comment-62917 Jim_Lakely Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:10:28 +0000 http://techliberation.com/?p=22616#comment-62917 <p>Very clever, Adam. I was laughing all the way.<br><br>An excellent way to characterize the absurdity of the new "broadband entitlement." I'm willing to go halvsies with you on a new XBox ... as long as I can pick the games and you don't mind me hanging out at your house at all hours.<br><br>So ... we should follow the path of that powerhouse of economic liberty and vitality that is Finland. (Sigh ... then imagine the sound of my head banging into a wall.)</p> Very clever, Adam. I was laughing all the way.

An excellent way to characterize the absurdity of the new “broadband entitlement.” I'm willing to go halvsies with you on a new XBox … as long as I can pick the games and you don't mind me hanging out at your house at all hours.

So … we should follow the path of that powerhouse of economic liberty and vitality that is Finland. (Sigh … then imagine the sound of my head banging into a wall.)

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