THE INTERNET IS DEAD

Original Artwork by the Bean (not the greatest artist at ALL)

Alright, it's not dead yet. But it's going to be. Firstly, credit goes to my friend T.X. Watson for introducing me to this problem.

Secondly, I'm here to talk to you today about a warm topic that needs to get red hot real fast called network neutrality, or net neutrality.

This is about the internet, a place that we all know and love. We use it for news, we use it for entertainment, and we use it for activism (or at least that's what I use it for), and it has tons of other uses that I'm sure I can't even fathom.

I want you to stop and think about how much time you spend on the internet a day and how much it has been integrated into your life. You dig it, right? It's convenient, it's reasonably fast, and it helps you get stuff done.

Now, imagine one day you go on the internet and turn on Facebook. Everything seems normal. You do a quick Google search for an actor whose name you can't remember. Results show up fine. But then you click a link to an independent site with more info on the actor, a small celeb blog that you check out from time to time.

The screen is white, you can see your tabs at the top. Facebook still works when you click on it. Google is running just fine. But this independent domain won't load. What's up?

Corporate tea-bagging is what's up. If net neutrality becomes no longer a thing, as decided by the FCC, major internet/cable providers can decide what sites load quickly and what sites don't, the internet will become mainstreamed.

All the streaming sites you use, Hulu or Netflix, will increase in price because they'll have to pay money in order to ensure fast loading of their services. Small watchdogs sites who report on these media giants (free-press, etc.) may hardly load at all. 

The end of net neutrality is another nail in the coffin for freedom and democracy in the United States. We'll quite literally only see what corporate America wants us to see, and that, my friends, is a huge freaking problem. 

Get active: sign this petition. And this one. Oh and this one. Aaand this one.

Also, for net neutrality 101, check out this link to FreePress

A Culture of Pessimism Conformity

I can already tell you that I am not about to blog what you think I am going to blog about. I am not about to discuss the traditional ideas of conforming to mainstream culture to be accepted, nor am I about to talk about the more complex but equally as discussed topics of culture assimilation, globalization, and westernization.

What I am about to talk about is a disturbing conclusion I have come to about current generations. Current generations are generations of pessimism conformity.

Having recently entered the internet culture of Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, etc., I have noticed that a lot of posts and are pessimistic and accepting of procrastination, sluggishness and low self-esteem.

I am not about to tell you to “cheer up.”

However, I do think constantly spreading these messages of unhappiness, failure and procrastination, things I also experience daily and have been overwhelmed with in the past, are not helping your fellow internet users. It’s perpetuating the cycle of negativity.

The cycle of negativity is something I did not realize existed until I was pulled out of it myself. I find internet culture does not help stay out of the cycle of negativity if you are not constantly aware of the potential effects of what you’re consuming may have on you.

I am not promoting a lockdown of expression. As a journalist, I support free speech in all things. However, I do think we need to take a hard look at the messages we’re sending into circulation and how they affect the general morale of the internet culture and community.

Yes. I do think the internet has developed to the point where it has an overall mass consciousness involving morale. That morale must be cared for and used to help the world, not to spread negativity and acceptance of the constant negativity.

Do not be lulled into complacency. Do not give up hope. Join my campaign to increase positivity on the internet in any way you can.

Have any questions? Comments? Concerns? There’s a comment box. And if you’re actually reading this, you probably have my phone number, so just call me.