Assignment 2: Corporate Takeover...

Internet is a powerful tool; one in which a plethora of opportunity can be derived from. As of right now, just like I will be doing in the next couple of hours, one can post a blog where they can publicly voice their opinion regarding any topic. The Internet is just one avenue that allows people the opportunity of freedom of speech, something that is stated in the Constitution which pertains to all citizens of the United States. Having a voice is easy: point, click, type, post. Although giant corporations like Time Warner, AOL, and Verizon would like control over the internet, they absolutely do not have it yet and anyone has the freedom to voice whatever they want on the Internet.

Corporate domination will eventually take over and limit public dialog. The stage that encompasses the Internet right now is called Net Neutrality. Net Neutrality is a term which means that no one single person has complete control over the internet rather, the millions of people who use it do. By giant media corporations having 'ownership' over the Internet would mean putting restrictions and filters on the information that is shown to you on your computer screen. Controlling the information that is available to Internet users is like playing God, corporations will only show sides of stories that make them look good and eventually the world will be controlled by one giant monopoly.
If large corporations were to take over the Internet, prices would skyrocket for Internet service and many people would not enjoy the freedom of surfing the World Wide Web. This is especially true for those that do not live directly in an urban area; rural dwellers would easily pay four times as much for Internet hookup and a monthly service. I do not see corporate domination as a good thing in any direction I look at it. The internet in many ways is like open sourced software, people can add to it for a minimal fee, if even a fee at all. That is what got the internet to what it is today, the thousands of people who come up with amazing ideas and implement them publicly for everyone to see.
On some levels, corporate domination is apparent already in relation to the Internet. Microsoft and Apple, the two computer software powerhouses, are being paid billions of dollars for certain brand advertising by other companies. Yes, it is true that businesses pay these software companies to display their logos or make them the default page when one opens their computer. This is where brand advertising steps into place. Corporate domination will continue to follow the flow of money which is always increasing. One can only wonder that if the Internet were to become completely controlled by one company, if advancements and technology would follow in the fast past footsteps of its predecessors.

Works Cited:
Network neutrality. (2008, January 24). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 22:49, January 24, 2008, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Network_neutrality&oldid=186552131