The end of the "Free" internet?

J.B · 3 May 2009 at 16:25

I enjoy the conspiracy threads, nothing like a stupid claim followed by about 20 people all flaming a guy.

I've said this before about these various locking down the internet threads. The day it happens I will eat dog poop.

Berserker · 3 May 2009 at 16:30

J.B said:
I've said this before about these various locking down the internet threads. The day it happens I will eat dog poop.

Quoted for future evidential value.

SexyGreyFox · 3 May 2009 at 16:33

A.N.Other said:
Can we have a ban on conspiracy threads ?

Absolutely not.
They make for some of the best threads on OCUK and I will be lost without my tin foil hat.

oli collett · 3 May 2009 at 16:45

I think there's another corporate conspiracy here (thanks to b3ta):

Berserker · 3 May 2009 at 17:34

^^

skippi90 said:
But what would the conspiracy be?.....

They're all BacoFoil salesmen. Obviously.

OK, so it was convenient timing - or a conspiracy.

AmDaMan · 3 May 2009 at 17:46

Internet Governance on that level won't ever happen.. I did a short essay about prospects for a global Internet governance regime a few weeks ago, quite interesting. I'll email a copy to anyone that's interested.

willhub · 3 May 2009 at 18:48

The government cannot stop the internets now, the internets will fight back and destoy us.

Mattus · 3 May 2009 at 18:53

Go away.

Nobody wants to read your conspiracist twaddle.

At least dvdbunny was mildly entertaining. This is just tedious.

starfighter · 3 May 2009 at 18:55

I don't disagree that many big business and some members governments dislike the Internet.

While there are opportunities for money to be made by many, there are also a lot of old skool business that will hate it because they are losing power.

the Internet is a great way to distribute information and media.

So parasites such as record companies hate it because what is to stop the artist selling directly to the people to break their monopoly, or heaven forbid the people giving or selling it to other people.

Similar story for high street stores but if they are savvy they can turn it to their advantage, however many ain't and are fighting a losing battle.

Governments hate it because people can communicate without them listening.

either way it upsets the status quo and there is going to be some *****s trying to hold back mankind for their personal gains but it is too late.

suarve · 3 May 2009 at 19:55

Burnsy2023 said:
Is it only me, or are other people getting annoyed with the amount of silly conspiracy threads in GD of late?

It makes interesting reading for me. I always learn more from the replies tbh as they often warrent more discussion than the sensational original thread. . E.g. am just reading about cleanfeed now.

p4radox · 3 May 2009 at 19:56

If you believe enough crazy theories then at least one of them could turn out to be true, right?...

Berserker · 3 May 2009 at 20:10

suarve said:
E.g. am just reading about cleanfeed now.

Damn - I'll try to provide less information next time.

Vegetarian · 3 May 2009 at 20:34

This is deffo going to happen - those saying it will not are deluded and wishful thinking.

Now for the average net user these changes will not even be noticed - infact it will make a "better" unified browsing experiance.

However people who want "worldwide" news or any bit of information, torrents, usergroups etc... its that side of thing that will vanish.

Mattus · 3 May 2009 at 21:05

Things like torrents will never disappear. As fast as technologies like that dry up, there will always be new ones to take their place.

Imagine that the powers that be decided to shut down all torrents as of tomorrow, next week, whatever. How exactly would they do it? It isn't possible. The freedom of expression granted by the internet is practically irrevocable.

CliffyBiro · 3 May 2009 at 21:10

Mattus said:
Things like torrents will never disappear. As fast as technologies like that dry up, there will always be new ones to take their place.

Imagine that the powers that be decided to shut down all torrents as of tomorrow, next week, whatever. How exactly would they do it? It isn't possible. The freedom of expression granted by the internet is practically irrevocable.

Forgive me if I'm wrong as I haven't thought this through.... but, if a 'World Government' wanted to end the use of the Internet, couldn't they ban it and shut down all ISPs therefore ending it's use?

Berserker · 3 May 2009 at 21:23

Vegetarian said:
This is deffo going to happen - those saying it will not are deluded and wishful thinking.

Going? Like I said, it already does happen. Only for things like Kiddie Porn currently, unless the IWF mess up and block Wikipedia.

However people who want "worldwide" news or any bit of information, torrents, usergroups etc... its that side of thing that will vanish.

I think you put your quotes in the wrong place - are you sure you didn't mean worldwide "news". Given the "quality" of some of the "news" sites used by you, Teki, magick and the like, I wouldn't have any problem at all if they got banned.

As for torrents, usenet, etc., some ISPs tried that already. Enter encrypted connections and proxies. Oops, the game just changed. You can of course block proxies, but then another one pops up elsewhere.

PS - switching the internet off for the masses just involves 13 "servers". Won't stop the "underground" continuing to use it though. Let's face it - that's the wrong way around - you want the masses and to stop the underground. Not going to happen.