The Rational Mind

In response to a criticism of a defense of Senator Steven’s essentially correct “Internet tubes” speech.

Rockwell’s and Steven’s basic point is that internet bandwidth is a scarce resource, and the only way to efficiently use it is to allow entrepreneurs to decide how resources should be allocated, and how traffic should be prioritized. While the internet was not initially a private entity, the companies that now run it have found many ways to do so in the past, and are currently experimenting with new methods that have been made possible by new technology, and that will make new technologies possible.
Until recently, it was not technologically possible to prioritize certain types of internet traffic over others, making the internet unreliable for mission-critical applications, which required expensive dedicated connection that were only feasible for large corporations. However, the exponential growth in computational power has recently made it possible to examine the contents of individual data packets and prioritize them accordingly. What the net neutrality debate is essentially about is whether ISP’s should be allowed to prioritize those packets by the sender of the packet in addition to the type of packet it is.
I think that there are many possibilities that are made possible by such party-based “packet discrimination” – such as remote surgery, which is currently too unreliable without a very expensive dedicated line. This can’t be done by class-based packet prioritizing alone, since it can’t distinguish between a YouTube homemade video download, and a surgical telecast. Email another area packet discrimination can help –charging a small “toll” for email traffic has been frequently mentioned as the best way to make spam unprofitable.
These possibilities may or may not pan out – but what right does a politician have to stop me from investing in them?

Update – I respond to Ben:

“As to remote surgery…Would a two-tier Internet make that possible? I don’t think so.”

I disagree. But the point is not which of us is right, but that this disagreement should be resolved by entrepreneurs and consumers, not politicians who half-blindly regulate business models out of existence.

The irony of Senator Steven’s argument is that his ignorance makes his point: the architecture of the Internet must be left up to the market, because politicians are far too ignorant to make such decisions.

The proudly American Superman whose famous slogan inspired this blog is dead. Meet the new, multicultural “international” Superman:

But in the latest film incarnation [of Superman], scribes Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris sought to downplay Superman’s long-standing patriot act. With one brief line uttered by actor Frank Langella, the caped superhero’s mission transformed from “truth, justice and the American way” to “truth, justice and all that stuff.”

“The world has changed. The world is a different place,” Pennsylvania native Harris says. “The truth is he’s an alien. He was sent from another planet. He has landed on the planet Earth, and he is here for everybody. He’s an international superhero.”
Dougherty and Harris never even considered including “the American way” in their screenplay…they penned their first draft together and intentionally omitted what they considered to be a loaded and antiquated expression…

…the long-standing member of the Justice League of America seems to have traded in his allegiance to the flag for an international passport. “He’s here for humanity,” Dougherty says.

I have more photos up on Flickr.

This BBC article talks about how sexual violence in war is increasing. The article does not provide
an explanation, but I can think of two: (1) the massive amounts
of aid being sent to Africa is being used to fund ethnic wars,
and (2) the world is actually more peaceful than ever, so it is
the most savage (African and Islamic) civilizations which are
still waging wars are getting all the attention. The
interesting part is this:

Sexual violence has also been linked to development
funding. Cases in Gaza and the West Bank have increased
significantly since the EU and the US cut funding after
January’s election of Hamas, Luay Shabaneh of the
Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics says.

In other words, we should not cut off funding to
terrorist groups because when they don’t have the money to
commit violent acts against us, they will commit violent acts
to their own women. And of course Kofi Annan ” urged donors to
“provide the backing required” to deal with the problem.”

From Digg: CBS was recently hit with a record fine of US$3.3 million, courtesy of the FCC. CBS affiliates are now protesting the fine:

“There were no true complainants from actual viewers,” the stations said. To be valid, complaints must come from an actual viewer in the service area of the station at issue, the filing said.”The e-mails were submitted … because advocacy groups hoping to influence television content generally exhorted them to contact the commission,” the CBS stations said.

Whatever happened to the v-chip? It’s been installed in new televesions since 2000, but the FCC has apparently decided that Americans are too incompetent to use it.

FYI:
I have a new
Microsoft Wireless Optical Desktop Elite Keyboard/Mouse
($99 list) and a $25 Amazon gift certificate. The prizes will
be given to the two largest contributors to the website.

There are no conditions, and no time limitations – just
make a significant contribution to the content of the
website, and they are yours. (Definition of “significant”
is entirely up to me.) You can contribute to the Wiki,
essays, links, or propose something entirely new. (Forum
posting does not count, unless your posts significantly
affect the overall forum quality.)

Going Places is a 1948 “Cold War cartoon defending the profit motive against anti-capitalist critics.”

Update: Thanks to Michael for Destination Unlimited, “a 1956 corporate-sponsored cartoon, in which Martian dissidents learn that oil and competition are the two things that make America great.”

I have updated the “Essential Free Windows Software List” with some new entries.

The following message is brought to you by The Future.. Faster industry campaign.

This week, the Senate is poised to vote on the issue of “Net Neutrality,” which is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and threatens the Internet freedom we now enjoy.

It is up to YOU to stop it. Please click here to contact your legislators, and demand they oppose “Net Neutrality.”

The Internet has been successful to date because the government has maintained a vigilant, but hands-off approach that has allowed companies to innovate in direct response to the evolving wants and needs of their customers.

A consumer’s Internet experience is today unimpeded – in the absence of virtually any regulation of the Internet – because there exists a powerful consumer mandate for Internet freedom. “Net Neutrality” supporters want to change all of that, putting the federal government in charge of how consumers use the Internet.

With Congress set to vote on “Net Neutrality” as early as Thursday, it is imperative that you contact your legislators right now and tell them, Say NO to “Net Neutrality.”

Existing net neutrality bills are solutions in search of a problem.

In a new communications era defined by multiple choices – multiple communications pathways – consumers simply will not continue to purchase service from a provider that blocks or restricts their Internet access.

When consumers have choices in the marketplace, consumers have control. Consider the following:

• There is vigorous competition between DSL, cable modem, wireless, satellite, and other Internet access providers.
• In some areas free Wi-Fi access is available.
• In others, access over power line is becoming available. This competition directly benefits consumers – and the latest evidence is the announcement of $12.99/month DSL service from AT&T.

Unnecessary regulatory or legislative intervention in marketplace activities would stifle, not enhance the Internet. Laws are inflexible and difficult to fine-tune – particularly when applied to technologies that are rapidly evolving.

The last thing that consumers need is government regulation of the Internet, disguised as “Net Neutrality.” Please click here to tell your legislator, Vote NO! on Net Neutrality.

KIEV (Reuters) – A man shouting that God would keep him safe was mauled to death by a lioness in Kiev zoo after he crept into the animal’s enclosure, a zoo official said on Monday.”The man shouted ‘God will save me, if he exists’, lowered himself by a rope into the enclosure, took his shoes off and went up to the lions,” the official said.

“A lioness went straight for him, knocked him down and severed his carotid artery.”