cruiseoveride
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- Sep 16, 2006
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thrust2night
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Internet access is a fundamental right and not a luxury like some people say. I do believe that it started off as a luxury but has become an integral part of society thereby making it a fundamental right. Some people who have posted here have likened a fundamental right as being free, which is incorrect. Just like I have the right to bear arms (which I pay for myself), I should have the right to access the internet. To some the internet may still be a luxury depending on their lifestyle, but I think we will all agree that our societies and economies in general "need" the internet. Now, is the cell phone a fundamental right?
ira176
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- Mar 19, 2006
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[citation][nom]tomtompiper[/nom]Your Declaration of Independence has been amended many times, it is not fixed in stone. How can the press be free if the poor are denied the right to read it. At present more and more papers are closing down or moving to online subscription, a trend that is going to accelerate. Where is the unalienable right to a free press without the right of everybody to read it?[/citation]
Tom, I think that you mean that the U.S. Constitution has been amended many times. The term free press doesn't mean that businesses should be giving out their product for free, but that the press should not be constrained or neutered by the government to report only what it sees fit. As far as news paper businesses closing down, that is in my opinion is related to the business not keeping with the times. The companies need to find another way to stay relevant, and fewer and fewer in the U.S.A. are actually picking up a newspaper and are now turning to T.V. and Internet. Maybe the news corporations should charge for their news on the internet. I know it doesn't sound popular, but essentially when you watch the news on T.V. it is being paid for by ad revenue and by cable fees. Every person in the U.S.A. doesn't have the right to be given the news for free. If a person wants to be kept informed they could buy the paper themselves, put up a pair of rabbit ears or subscribe to the internet. If they can't afford it, then too bad. I don't think it's our governments job to buy every thing for everyone who wants something but can't afford it.
Tom, I think that you mean that the U.S. Constitution has been amended many times. The term free press doesn't mean that businesses should be giving out their product for free, but that the press should not be constrained or neutered by the government to report only what it sees fit. As far as news paper businesses closing down, that is in my opinion is related to the business not keeping with the times. The companies need to find another way to stay relevant, and fewer and fewer in the U.S.A. are actually picking up a newspaper and are now turning to T.V. and Internet. Maybe the news corporations should charge for their news on the internet. I know it doesn't sound popular, but essentially when you watch the news on T.V. it is being paid for by ad revenue and by cable fees. Every person in the U.S.A. doesn't have the right to be given the news for free. If a person wants to be kept informed they could buy the paper themselves, put up a pair of rabbit ears or subscribe to the internet. If they can't afford it, then too bad. I don't think it's our governments job to buy every thing for everyone who wants something but can't afford it.
Seriously do you posters read what other people post before you? Honestly it gets irritating & boring to see people answer well just to see the same stupid SH## posted over and over as if a good argument wasn't put forth.
It stands that the internet can be a rite as posted many times over and over again, we do have simular rights. It also stands that a rite is something that can be paid for.
In my country CANADA, most jobs are posted online and the same goes for housing. There is no alternative news off of the web ether. We do have free papers and many other things americans think are communistic.
Of course the US is dependent on Communism, without Commie China providing americans with almost everything, the world markets would be destroyed of course we are as dependent on China as the Us is. Most of our stuff is made in china too.
everything I said is backed up solid by other peoples posts except the China thing I added that.
To the guy who said what is our obligation to the internet.. simple we must contribute to it.
To that guy who seems to think this is twitter with the @ name SH## GTFO, we don't need your kind round here
Just because your teacher said it doesn't make it true... Pluto isn't a Planet anymore.
It stands that the internet can be a rite as posted many times over and over again, we do have simular rights. It also stands that a rite is something that can be paid for.
In my country CANADA, most jobs are posted online and the same goes for housing. There is no alternative news off of the web ether. We do have free papers and many other things americans think are communistic.
Of course the US is dependent on Communism, without Commie China providing americans with almost everything, the world markets would be destroyed of course we are as dependent on China as the Us is. Most of our stuff is made in china too.
everything I said is backed up solid by other peoples posts except the China thing I added that.
To the guy who said what is our obligation to the internet.. simple we must contribute to it.
To that guy who seems to think this is twitter with the @ name SH## GTFO, we don't need your kind round here
Just because your teacher said it doesn't make it true... Pluto isn't a Planet anymore.
Yes internet is a human right in the same way food is, I have to buy food but it's my rite
Anyone who says otherwise, you just put yourself on the other side of net neutrality, siding with ISP's who want to throttle your internet, denny you access to sites and goods from their competition ect.
Anyone who says otherwise, you just put yourself on the other side of net neutrality, siding with ISP's who want to throttle your internet, denny you access to sites and goods from their competition ect.
Max Collodi
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- Feb 24, 2010
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[citation][nom]ncarlson[/nom]Internet access is not a fundamental right. You must pay for internet access. Fundamental rights can never be bought or sold, or even created or destroyed for that matter. Our Declaration of Independence says it is self-evident that certain rights such as freedom of religion and freedom of the press are unalienable. And I don't think internet access should ever be one of them.[/citation]
The only rights the Declaration of Independence mentions are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. It says nothing about freedom of religion or freedom of the press. Those are covered in the first ten amendments in the U.S. Constitution known as the Bill of Rights. The Declaration of Independence was the document chiding the King of England for his policies toward the colonies and declaring severance from England.
The only rights the Declaration of Independence mentions are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. It says nothing about freedom of religion or freedom of the press. Those are covered in the first ten amendments in the U.S. Constitution known as the Bill of Rights. The Declaration of Independence was the document chiding the King of England for his policies toward the colonies and declaring severance from England.
I also didn't mention how in our country they charge us for paper bills.
I do agree deeply with noiz that we do need to focus heavy on peoples food & shelter, though I don't see why we can't work on all of these things at once.
If you think money is the problem.. think again, there is plenty of it in the world. It's in the hands of the few... who pretty much robbed us hard working people.
I do agree deeply with noiz that we do need to focus heavy on peoples food & shelter, though I don't see why we can't work on all of these things at once.
If you think money is the problem.. think again, there is plenty of it in the world. It's in the hands of the few... who pretty much robbed us hard working people.
noiz
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- Sep 10, 2009
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[citation][nom]ultameca[/nom]If you think money is the problem.. think again, there is plenty of it in the world. It's in the hands of the few... who pretty much robbed us hard working people.[/citation]
Couldn't agree more.. But working on multiple "projects" simultaneously might cost the success of some of them. At first working people should realize that they are part of the working class just like most of us, secondly they must realize that they have tremendous power over their bosses and upper-class people. The future outcome of all this, is the Revolution of the working class. The world should become a better place for everyone, not just for the rich.
Couldn't agree more.. But working on multiple "projects" simultaneously might cost the success of some of them. At first working people should realize that they are part of the working class just like most of us, secondly they must realize that they have tremendous power over their bosses and upper-class people. The future outcome of all this, is the Revolution of the working class. The world should become a better place for everyone, not just for the rich.
anamaniac
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[citation][nom]groveborn[/nom]No, it is not a "basic" right. A basic right is something that cannot be done without. Speech, religion, not being beaten, those are basic rights. Internet access is a luxery. I'd much rather my country give us free water. Water should be a right. Electricity would also be nice, but that's asking a lot.[/citation]
Water, food, shelter, clothing.
Yeap, those are our human rights.
I'd consider electricity, phone and internet to be basic rights for any country that can afford it.. Supplying electricity is a must, and and I'm accustomed to at least crappy old computers being in most libraries.
If I remember correctly, the province of P.E.I. has a law stating power companies cannot cut your power during the winter (as going without in -30 over extended can kill you). My power was cut in -30 a few years back, it was horrible.
[citation][nom]tomtompiper[/nom]Another person who wants to get rid of the Second amendment, are you all commies?[/citation]
We prefer being called socialists or liberals.
I don't mind paying taxes, I just hate seeing it being wasted when so much more could be done.
Water, food, shelter, clothing.
Yeap, those are our human rights.
I'd consider electricity, phone and internet to be basic rights for any country that can afford it.. Supplying electricity is a must, and and I'm accustomed to at least crappy old computers being in most libraries.
If I remember correctly, the province of P.E.I. has a law stating power companies cannot cut your power during the winter (as going without in -30 over extended can kill you). My power was cut in -30 a few years back, it was horrible.
[citation][nom]tomtompiper[/nom]Another person who wants to get rid of the Second amendment, are you all commies?[/citation]
We prefer being called socialists or liberals.
I don't mind paying taxes, I just hate seeing it being wasted when so much more could be done.
Noiz I understand your point of view that it could effect performance but, I believe the reason people see the situation like that is because of the poor examples we have been given. one example is poor leadership in government.
some countries do pretty horrible things, like sell the bread to another country that sends it to the dump at the end of the day.... meanwhile the people who made the bread go hungry. I can't remember which countries, I seen it in a documentary.
I sometimes wonder if people will ever actually wake up, I do hope so but it's hard to see sometimes. There is a fine line to balance the world. If the workers do ever wake up then there are other dangers that must be safe guarded against.
some countries do pretty horrible things, like sell the bread to another country that sends it to the dump at the end of the day.... meanwhile the people who made the bread go hungry. I can't remember which countries, I seen it in a documentary.
I sometimes wonder if people will ever actually wake up, I do hope so but it's hard to see sometimes. There is a fine line to balance the world. If the workers do ever wake up then there are other dangers that must be safe guarded against.
anamaniac
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[citation][nom]0_DSE_0[/nom]If someone else has to provide and pay for it its not a right[/citation]
Ever heard of socialism?
Do you like having a hospital near by? Do you like the ability to go in with a life threatening injury and have them save your life? Someone has to pay for it.
Unless your believe in a complete private system, were the poor can't even afford to get a annual checkup.
I, for one, gladly help pay for a hospital in my area for those in need.
Ever heard of socialism?
Do you like having a hospital near by? Do you like the ability to go in with a life threatening injury and have them save your life? Someone has to pay for it.
Unless your believe in a complete private system, were the poor can't even afford to get a annual checkup.
I, for one, gladly help pay for a hospital in my area for those in need.
Who is preventing people from connecting? It should be made available to all, but I wouldn't call it a right of any kind. Using that kind of logic everything would be a right and nobody would work at all and nothing would get done. Get off your butts and get it, nobody is stopping you. So many free loaders around these days! Remember the Government giveth, then the Government can taketh away! And they control the complaint dept. too!
I dont think i could live without my bang'in fat pipe to the internet...... but i have a job and PAY FOR IT!!!
theubersmurf
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- Jul 29, 2008
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My thinking is that it is a right in today's world. And not just internet access, broadband access. I think of broadband as an analog to the telephone, a 21st century telephone if you will.
Right now, I think broadband is necessary for internet use to be pragmatic. I can't imagine loading this site, or even my flash covered bank's site without broadband.
Dial up compared to broadband reminds me of the telegraph compared to the telephone. A much more limited amount of information can be transmitted via dial up, much like the telegraph compared to the telephone.
Here's the kicker, I think broadband is as fundamental a communication tool as the telephone, it's just newer. Being without access to the internet if you were in school would put you at a disadvantage. And it could be argued further. Do you know that the government considers the telephone to be such a fundamental communication tool, and so necessary for co-existence in our society today that it will provide you with a phone and service if you cannot afford one? It's a question of being able to function in society at a nominal level. Broadband is as fundamental to communication in the future, and really even today.
This whole thing is badly presented, but you get the idea.
Right now, I think broadband is necessary for internet use to be pragmatic. I can't imagine loading this site, or even my flash covered bank's site without broadband.
Dial up compared to broadband reminds me of the telegraph compared to the telephone. A much more limited amount of information can be transmitted via dial up, much like the telegraph compared to the telephone.
Here's the kicker, I think broadband is as fundamental a communication tool as the telephone, it's just newer. Being without access to the internet if you were in school would put you at a disadvantage. And it could be argued further. Do you know that the government considers the telephone to be such a fundamental communication tool, and so necessary for co-existence in our society today that it will provide you with a phone and service if you cannot afford one? It's a question of being able to function in society at a nominal level. Broadband is as fundamental to communication in the future, and really even today.
This whole thing is badly presented, but you get the idea.
Internet access is not a fundamental right. I do think metered Internet service and service monopolies should be made illegal. There should also only be one speed of service, "on", and cost should be limited to $20/month or less. I think Internet is so awesome everyone should have it, at least if you're in a first world country.
Onus
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Nothing is a Right that is achieved or maintained at the forced expense of others. If those others aren't there, what happens to your "right?"
Lack of internet access may be unfair, but so is having a great, close family; so is growing a brain tumor; so is having an above average IQ. Life isn't "fair." Get over it. The next time something bad happens and you ask yourself "Why ME??" you should immediately answer with "Why NOT me?"
Lack of internet access may be unfair, but so is having a great, close family; so is growing a brain tumor; so is having an above average IQ. Life isn't "fair." Get over it. The next time something bad happens and you ask yourself "Why ME??" you should immediately answer with "Why NOT me?"
Rights are inherent/intrinsic aspects of our nature. The US Declaration of Independence gives us three examples: "life," "liberty," and "the pursuit of happiness." Internet access is nowhere near a "right."
WyomingKnott
Legenda in Aeternum
- Aug 29, 2006
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Im not sure about the wording of fundamental right, but there are two things to consider from my perspective:
1. Private companies paid for the infrastructure, and therefore charge money to profit from those efforts. The catch for us in Canada, is that our government offered large subsidies (and still do) to ISP's to expand the broadband availability to more population. For this reason, since the originating companies have already made lots more money than they spent on infrastructure, it would be fine to take away some control from them.
2. I absolutely agree that the internet is becoming a fundamental need, because without it in most fields you cannot be competitive. You can learn to do just about anything now from the internet, which is a massive advantage over someone who can only learn from another person or their company.
I DO feel that privatization of the internet should come to an end, and that pricing should be established accross the board for everyone within a country, with appropriate cost for maintenance and upgrading of the infrastructure as needed and nothing more. Costs could be well below their current level, because the cost of bandwidth continues to decline with cheaper technology and higher compression, but the price I pay keeps going up!
There are problems right now because there is not enough bandwidth to go around, for everyone to have 100% HD video streamed from any source they want. The technology DOES exist to make it possible, but that margin of profit should instead be allocated to increasing infrastructure to what we already need now.
1. Private companies paid for the infrastructure, and therefore charge money to profit from those efforts. The catch for us in Canada, is that our government offered large subsidies (and still do) to ISP's to expand the broadband availability to more population. For this reason, since the originating companies have already made lots more money than they spent on infrastructure, it would be fine to take away some control from them.
2. I absolutely agree that the internet is becoming a fundamental need, because without it in most fields you cannot be competitive. You can learn to do just about anything now from the internet, which is a massive advantage over someone who can only learn from another person or their company.
I DO feel that privatization of the internet should come to an end, and that pricing should be established accross the board for everyone within a country, with appropriate cost for maintenance and upgrading of the infrastructure as needed and nothing more. Costs could be well below their current level, because the cost of bandwidth continues to decline with cheaper technology and higher compression, but the price I pay keeps going up!
There are problems right now because there is not enough bandwidth to go around, for everyone to have 100% HD video streamed from any source they want. The technology DOES exist to make it possible, but that margin of profit should instead be allocated to increasing infrastructure to what we already need now.
pileofsmut
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- Mar 9, 2010
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Anyone who thinks internet access is a right has some serious misunderstandings of what a right is.
To those of you who think that something is a right just because it is useful, I ask this question: Is owning a car a right? No? But how could you survive without it? What about a house? Cable TV?
None of these are rights, and they should not be. Adding "rights" like these devalue the true rights we have. No one in their right mind would say that all peoples all over the world should have a house, internet, cable TV, health care... but we should all agree that everyone should have free speech, freedom of religion and other real rights.
To those of you who think that something is a right just because it is useful, I ask this question: Is owning a car a right? No? But how could you survive without it? What about a house? Cable TV?
None of these are rights, and they should not be. Adding "rights" like these devalue the true rights we have. No one in their right mind would say that all peoples all over the world should have a house, internet, cable TV, health care... but we should all agree that everyone should have free speech, freedom of religion and other real rights.
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