Net Neutrality In Contemporary World - Free Essay Example

In the contemporary world of technological advancement, net neutrality has been a primary topic of debate for the United States Senate for an extended period. Net neutrality is the non-discriminatory internet transmission, where internet service providers treat all internet data as the same to allow individuals to run applications, services, and access content on their devices without any limitations. In essence, it is the non-preferential treatment of web traffic regardless of the source. In net neutrality, ISP acts as passive transmitters of data as opposed to being content managers. In this case, consumers receive equal internet speed access to content across websites regardless of their sizes. Due to the fact that ISPs have the freedom to adjust their Internet services following the repeal of Net Neutrality restrictions, Americans are paying more internet fees, which could injure its innovativeness in the small and medium enterprising sector. Federal Communications Commission The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is a United States international and local communication regulatory agency. The agency regulates television, radio, wire, cable, and satellite transmissions in the country and its annexes (FCC, 2017). Five commissioners who are selected by the president and vetted by the US Senate run the FCC under the Congress oversight. Additionally, POTUS also appoints one of the commissioners to assume the chairperson position. Noticeably, one party can only have three members represented in the organization at any time (FCC, 2017). Moreover, the commissioners have a five-year term unless stated otherwise. The appointed individuals should not have any competing monetary interests in the broadband industry to eliminate conflicts of interest. On the other hand, the FCC has various functions, which aim at smoothening the nations communication sector. Firstly, it promotes investments, competition, and innovation in the internet sector. Secondly, it facilitates the countrys economic growth through the creation of an ideal competitive framework to foresee communication development. Thirdly, it promotes the use of quality spectrum in locally and internationally. Fourthly, it sets and amends media regulations to allow the development of innovative technologies in line with localism and diversity (FCC, 2017). Fifthly, the organizations serve as the nations leader in strengthening the communications infrastructure. Furthermore, the FCC is interested in addressing challenges and economic benefits related to the rapidly changing global communications dynamics to ensure the American consumers are not exploited by ISPs. Internet Service Providers Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are agencies that provide broadband services to allow participation, access, and use of the Internet. They control the amount and speed of data transmitted through their channels to consumers (Kruzel, 2017; Meinrath, 2008). The ISPs aimed at scrapping off the Net Neutrality regulations to regain their power to control and throttle internet connectedness for their economic benefits. The Net Neutrality provision mandated them to treat all data as the same regardless of the source or size. According to Akbarzadehs (2014) film Killswitch, the internet has become the worlds new gold in such a way that those who control it have the ability to manage a nations wealth and power. Therefore, the elimination of the regulations would benefit the broadband companies in several ways. Firstly, they would have the ability to offer the delivery of a websites content faster and reliably at an additional cost towards the users. Secondly, ISPs would be able to increase their internet transmission speeds more than their competitors to enhance their market competitiveness (Kruzel, 2017; Meinrath, 2008). Thirdly, they would have the authority to block any objectionable site sites, which would expose them to public and political lynching. Fourthly, broadband companies would gain the freedom to introduce internet packages (Kruzel, 2017). In this case, they would offer a mix of internet speed options with their corresponding prices. Notably, ISPs are trying to control the market dynamics in the internet sector, where they can manage the speed and access of specific sites and information and capitalize on the same. Recent Repeal of Net Neutrality The recent repeal of the Net Neutrality restrictions under President Trumps regime aims at serving the interests of minority ISPs in the expense of the American citizens. The average internet users will be the losers if the US Senate votes against the restrictions (Kruzel, 2018). Firstly, the consumers would incur increased prices for their internet feeds for websites that rely on high internet speed connectivity. Notably, the sites would pass down the costs to the consumers. Moreover, it would deny the American citizens the right to information, where they can choose their websites and applications of choice. If the repeal is successful, the ISPs will gain ultimate control over the open internet market to enhance their economic and ideological gains. Three of the largest ISPs in the United States have pressured the FCC to scrap off the regulations for a decade. They include Comcast, Verizon, ATT, and the National Cable Telecommunications Association (NCTA). According to a 2017 MapLight survey (Bass 2017), the companies had spent $572 million trying to lobby the federal government and the FCC to eliminate the restrictions. Interestingly, the organizations claim that they respect net neutrality but not the regulations used by the FCC to enforce the idea. Importance of Net Neutrality According to Wu (2005), net neutrality is essential since it ensures that short-term interests of ISPs do not prevent consumers from accessing quality applications and products over the Internet. Additionally, it provides that consumers get equal access to all websites and applications without any throttling by the broadband providers. It also plays a vital role in leveling the marketing field for online applications and growth of SMEs. Currently, several changes can happen towards the internet. Firstly, as Wu (2005) notes, the Internet can be transformed into open access such as is the case in the telephone industry. In this case, the Internet would utilize a n end-to-end design, which does not impose any restrictions, applications, feature, or services to the user. On the other hand, it can be transformed into a centralized infrastructure that allows ISPs to check and shape network traffic. Noticeably, ISPs will be able to limit the internet by blocking content, introducing internet caps, slowing rivals internet speeds and offering fast-lane speed to specifically preferred partners (Kruzel, 2017; Meinrath, 2008). The introduction of internet caps will ensure that consumers pay overage fees when they exceed their data packages. Moreover, the ISPs will have the freedom to offer internet packages at a cost like that of cable television programs. The cost of the Internet in the United States is expected to double with the repeal of Net Neutrality due to the creation of a competitive broadband market. Net Neutrality and American Entrepreneurialism Net neutrality has been a vital facilitator of business growth and entrepreneurship in the country; however, the situation may change due to the scrapping of the restrictions. High internet speeds would li mit business growth by providing an obstacle towards web innovativeness since most SMEs do have adequate capital to adopt fast-lane internet services (Kruzel, 2017). Furthermore, online startup websites may lose their customers, if ISPs impose data packages that exempt consumers from streaming or accessing the sites. Notably, high internet prices increase the cost of equipment for SMEs in the market as they struggle to acquire infrastructure to support online business-consumer interactions. Significantly, according to Kruzel (2017), throttled internet speeds reduce work efficiency by making accessing to web content slow or inaccessible. Video streaming sites such as Netflix require high-speed connectivity; therefore, they are affected by throttling and capping. Meinrath Pickard (2008) note that ISPs may direct traffic and offer high Internet speeds to preferred vendors, which would injure the competitiveness of independent business owners. The situation creates a monopolistic market that is dangerous for both American consumers and web investors. How Net Neutrality Could Affect Our Childrens Ability to Learn Net Neutrality improved the education system in the country by providing children with necessary study and research resources via the internet. However, the situation is bound to change as the ISPs gain the freedom to block or limit the informational websites (Kruzel, 2017). Secondly, since the ISPs will have the right to decide which contents will appear in fast or slow pipes, they may slow down educational sites making them unavailable for the children. The phenomenon will leave children from families with limited connectivity with fewer study resources, which adversely affects their academic performance. Moreover, the end of net neutrality may result in an increased educational gap between children from affluent and low-income earning families. Furthermore, the above phenomena may reduce innovativeness among the lower and middle class due to limited internet access, which will foresee their decline in political and business leadership participation. Conclusion Overall, the issue of net neutrality has been a controversial topic in the country. Net neutrality has numerous advantages such as increased innovativeness in the educational and entrepreneurial sector; therefore, the FCC should reinstate the rules. The provisions allow equal internet access to all Americans despite the size and source of information. However, throttled internet reduces students academic performance, innovativeness, and business growth. Therefore, it is incumbent on the average American citizens to fight for their right to information access to safeguard their future and those of subsequent generations.

Choice in Dostoevskys Dream of a Ridiculous Man - Literature Essay Samples

When Albert Camus wrote The Myth of Sisyphus [1], he demonstrated the absurdity of human existence in the indifferent universe with the ridiculous task of pushing a rock up a hill an infinite number of times. Every time Sisyphus pushed the rock to the top of the hill, it only rolled back down for him to do it again. This is the very fundamental idea underlying Existentialism. Much like Sisyphus of the ancient myth, humans live a meaningless existence; nothing means anything when all that is certain is death. It is therefore ridiculous to live without such a realization, or otherwise with an illusion of meaning and purpose. Yet humans continue to live and assign importance to their daily activities, even against the fact that death is inevitable. Fyodor Dostoevsky’s short story The Dream of a Ridiculous Man accounts for the absurdity of human existence portrayed by Albert Camus and demonstrates what it is to be really ridiculous, yet also suggests a solution. We humans must un derstand that we both have the ability to choose the life we live, and that end results may not matter as much as we assume. Fyodor Dostoevsky wrote The Dream of a Ridiculous Man from a politically, socially, and spiritually troubled 19th century Russia. Life under the Russian regime is key in Dostoevsky writings, and The Dream of the Ridiculous Man is no exception. The story reflects the suffering and alienation of the Russian society and explores the psychology of the character shaped by the society. Dostoevsky however, provides consolation and hope at the end of the story as he believes there is purity and goodness at the end of suffering and despair (Bourgeois). The story also includes elements of Dostoevsky’s philosophical school of thought, Existentialism. Meaning in life, absurdity, suicide, as well as confronting mortality and the anxiety of choice are fundamental basis in The Dream of a Ridiculous Man. The story is also richly influenced with Orthodox Christianity. Dostoevsky references the bible, creating alternate interpretations of Genesis, portrays the narrator as Adam, later as the Ser pent, and then as Jesus, and explores religious concepts such as the Problem of Evil and Fall of Man (Cassedy). These influences play in to the story and at least in part explain or provide the context for the character’s ridiculous existence, suicidal intentions, and eventually the revelation to live and do good by choice. The narrator of The Dream of a Ridiculous Man admits he is living an absurd existence and finds no evidence of the contrary. He explains that â€Å"he has always been ridiculous, and he has known it† (Dostoevsky, pg. 3), not only distinguishing himself from other humans, but also distinguishing humanity from other species. Humans are the only living creatures aware of their ultimate fate, and that knowledge is what makes their existence far more absurd than any other. The narrator’s acknowledgment of this is essential in the Existentialist thought. The narrator also reveals that earlier in his life when he was attending the university, â€Å"the more he learned, the more he understood he was ridiculousin the end, the sciences he studied existed only to prove he was ridiculous† (pg. 3). The narrator does not know exactly when he became ridiculous, but he comes to understand that he has always been ridiculous and it does not matter when he realized it first. As the story continues, he grows ever more indifferent to life, and finds only more evidence of the absurdity of human existence with his friends, neighbors, and strangers. The conversation between the narrator’s friends that follows only reinforces the narrator’s beliefs. They are arguing for the sake of argument, and are completely detached from the topic they speak of. Their conversation is meaningless and their enthusiasm a pretense as they do not understand the emotions and opinions they profess. When the narrator tells his friends that they do not really care for their argument, they only find his remark amusing. This conversation demonstrates the idea that nothing matters in life, and thus the only passion for doing anything that exists is fake. The narrator realizes that, but he speaks with indifference when he attempts to reproach his friends. The narrator also shows indifference in his apartment building. He says there is shouting and fighting in one of his neighbor’s apartment just behind the wall, but he shows no annoyance or concern. The narrator simply â€Å"does not care how much they shout on the other side of the p artition or how many of them there are in there: he sits up all night and forgets them so completely that he does not hear the noise anymore† (pg. 6). An encounter with a little girl reveals that the narrator maintains his beliefs. When the little girl asks the narrator for his help, he reasons that the stranger he is asked to help will die nonetheless. Turning his back on humanity, the narrator demonstrates his further indifference and ambivalence to life, his or other. If everything in life is ridiculous then there is no reason he should help the stranger. The narrator essentially finds his existence ridiculous and there is no evidence of the contrary anywhere in his life. There is only absurdity and indifference, and so the narrator decides to commit suicide, but he falls asleep. The narrator’s dream is a fundamental change in The Dream of a Ridiculous Man. It is a vision or a revelation that teaches the narrator of the true absurdity of human existence, and creates a dramatic change in the narrator’s life. He goes from committing suicide to preaching what he believes is the truth. The dream itself not only puts the paradise that the narrator visits and his world in juxtaposition, but also parallels ultimate good with knowledge of good and evil. The paradise, or the earth before the Fall of Man, is free from all that is evil and shameless; it is a utopia where every resident is innocent and happy. With the narrator’s presence however, the paradise is cursed with the same fate as Eden was on Earth. The narrator corrupts the paradise with knowledge by introducing lies, sexual debauchery, jealousy, murder, factions, nationalism, war, etc. (pg. 19). He brings an end to the perfect happiness and ultimate good of people of the paradise, but at the same time he gives them humanity, knowledge, and choice. The people of the paradise lack the ability to choose their life, and that is no life at all. What the narrator essentially gives them is the most human thing of all, the ability to choose. The narrator learns that knowledge and the ability to choose is far more meaningful then life itself. The people of the paradise are merely instinctual creatures, doing good, but having no ability to reason or choose to do good. There is no evidence that living a good life is any better than living a bad life or an indifferent life, yet the people of the paradise are exclusive to only that one option, one option among three. There is nothing that can be more ridiculous then to live a good, moral life above any other when in the end the good and the bad will both meet the same fate, and both will be exactly equal. Living a good, moral life is not a necessary element of human existence. The knowledge that there is a choice, and the understanding that all choices are equal is the key to any happiness. The narrator explains that the people of the paradise â€Å"would not want to return to the paradise† (pg. 20), and then the narrator himself admits â€Å"he loves the earth they h ave polluted more then the paradise† (pg. 21). Indeed, the knowledge and the ability to choose are higher than any life in paradise. The narrator and the people of the paradise learn that if men do good it should be because they can do good all by themselves, because they can choose to do good by their own conscious understanding. The narrator summarizes this truth when he wakes up; â€Å"the chief thing is to love others like yourself, that is the chief thing† (pg. 22). The narrator is a changed man now, not only does he cherish life, but he goes from attempting suicide to a life where he preaches the truth and atones his past mistakes. He finds meaning and purpose, and there is no mention of a God or an afterlife. The narrator learns that â€Å"he can be beautiful and happy without losing the power of living on earth† (pg. 22), that is, he is motivated to do good purely by his own choosing, not by the promise of eternal life or a paradise. Dostoevsky’s The Dream of a Ridiculous Man is a short story that confirms the absurdity of human existence and gives some thought to suicide as a viable response, but at the same time demonstrates that happiness and meaning can be attained in this world if one understands that one should do good by his own conscious choosing. Dostoevsky’s implications however go beyond this. The story is also a comment on Christianity, and in particular Eden or the paradise. The Dream of the Ridiculous Man seems to suggest that a â€Å"paradise or an afterlife will never come to be† (pg. 22), because an eternity of unconsciously doing only good is inhuman. Consciousness of life is higher than life, and the paradise is an automatic, robotic life deprived of consciousness. The ability to choose indeed gives life consciousness and perhaps the short life on earth is worth more than an eternity in paradise, as Dostoevsky implies. In the story, Dostoevsky also comments on the evolution of civilization. The paradise in the narrator’s vision seems to take on the same history as that of humanity on earth. First there is a paradise, next is corruption, and then mankind spends the next thousands of years learning how to be happy again. The difference is that when mankind learns the truth, in that they will do good and be happy, they will have arrived at it consciously. This evolution of civilization perhaps only attempts to recapture the goodness and happiness of the paradise, but it also more importantly gains consciousness in the process. Dostoevsky stresses that it is this consciousness, the knowledge, the ability to choose that gives any sense to life. In Dostoevskys conception, humanity has not regressed from paradise, but progressed. God has given us the ability to do good, we have given ourselves the ability to choose to do good. We have come from being unconscious, instinctive and mechanical automatons, to conscious human begins with the capacity not only to be genuinely happy, but also the knowledge of the laws of happiness. We should do good not because it may or may not be rewarded by God who may or may not exist, but because we can do good regardless of God and an afterlife. We are merely human beings on this earth who can only conquer the absurdity of our own existence when we understand that our conscious mind transcends everything. REFERENCES Bourgeois, Patrick, Lyall. â€Å"Dostoevsky and Existentialism.â€Å" Journal of Thought (1980): 29-38. Philosophers Index. EBSCO. Web. 5 May 2010. Cassedy, Steven. â€Å"Dostoevskys Religion.† Studies in East European Thought (2007): 163-165. Philosophers Index. EBSCO. Web. Dostoevsky, Fyodor. The Dream of a Ridiculous Man. Feedbooks. Published: 1877. PDF File.