Comments on: There goes the neighborhood… http://www.internet-entrepreneurship.com/internet/there-goes-the-neighborhood/ ...exploring the new web era Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:38:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/ hourly 1 By: vernon172 http://www.internet-entrepreneurship.com/internet/there-goes-the-neighborhood/comment-page-1/#comment-177 vernon172 Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:32:51 +0000 http://www.internet-entrepreneurship.com/?p=270#comment-177 I think it's true that this bill won't pass. A bill such as this would have to be much more sneaky to slide by. But it does strike me that the government is anxious to get a grasp on the internet. It is one area where it has not figured out how to tax or regulate (very much). I am sure the government will keep trying to find ways to get control over the internet, and i am sure individuals will keep finding ways to get around these controls. I also imagine that a few unlucky ones will get hit hard by the government in the process in order to make an example of them. An example of this is the whole illegal downloading phenomena. The government has tried to crack down on it, and in response individuals have found all sorts of ways to get away with it anyway. However, a few unlucky individuals have gotten caught and hit pretty hard with fines etc. I'm sure this basic pattern will continue. I think it’s true that this bill won’t pass. A bill such as this would have to be much more sneaky to slide by. But it does strike me that the government is anxious to get a grasp on the internet. It is one area where it has not figured out how to tax or regulate (very much). I am sure the government will keep trying to find ways to get control over the internet, and i am sure individuals will keep finding ways to get around these controls. I also imagine that a few unlucky ones will get hit hard by the government in the process in order to make an example of them.

An example of this is the whole illegal downloading phenomena. The government has tried to crack down on it, and in response individuals have found all sorts of ways to get away with it anyway. However, a few unlucky individuals have gotten caught and hit pretty hard with fines etc. I’m sure this basic pattern will continue.

]]> By: Cody Crumrine http://www.internet-entrepreneurship.com/internet/there-goes-the-neighborhood/comment-page-1/#comment-176 Cody Crumrine Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:20:24 +0000 http://www.internet-entrepreneurship.com/?p=270#comment-176 Frankly, this just strikes me as kind of ridiculous, even to the point where it's almost laughable. If such a law like this were to pass, and be effectively put into practice, it would have some sad effects. So much participation online is on an anonymous basis. Take away that option and we lose comments on blogs like this one, user reviews on online stores, forums are just about gone, etc. I don't think we've got much to fear though, this bill just seems to far-fetched to pass, let alone be enforced. I mean really, what's to stop me from using a fake name and a g-mail address? Can they really ensure that my "real" information is used? I doubt it. As far as the fine goes, are they really going to fine, for example, wordpress $1,000 for every comment? Heck, everything from Musician's Friend to Cabela's allows anonymous reviews. This bill just has no chance, and it really makes me wonder what Representative Couch was thinking. Someone right something nasty on his political blog or something? Just delete the comment man, don't try and pass some ridiculous law to cut down on "online bullying." Sigh... Frankly, this just strikes me as kind of ridiculous, even to the point where it’s almost laughable. If such a law like this were to pass, and be effectively put into practice, it would have some sad effects. So much participation online is on an anonymous basis. Take away that option and we lose comments on blogs like this one, user reviews on online stores, forums are just about gone, etc.

I don’t think we’ve got much to fear though, this bill just seems to far-fetched to pass, let alone be enforced. I mean really, what’s to stop me from using a fake name and a g-mail address? Can they really ensure that my “real” information is used? I doubt it. As far as the fine goes, are they really going to fine, for example, wordpress $1,000 for every comment? Heck, everything from Musician’s Friend to Cabela’s allows anonymous reviews.

This bill just has no chance, and it really makes me wonder what Representative Couch was thinking. Someone right something nasty on his political blog or something? Just delete the comment man, don’t try and pass some ridiculous law to cut down on “online bullying.” Sigh…

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