Who controls the Internet

Former Member

I'm not one of those who cry wolf everytime the US does (or doesn't do) anything, but I've got to admit to some disquiet on this.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4327928.stm

I never even knew that the organisation which 'controls' the internet is linked to the US Department of Commerce and its even more worrying that the Dept of commerce doesn't want to let go.

Former Member

I never even knew that the organisation which 'controls' the internet is linked to the US Department of Commerce and its even more worrying that the Dept of commerce doesn't want to let go.

Your joking aren't you. When has a government ever allowed an opportunity to control more stuff slip by?

This is about control. The US et al more than likely haven't much intention as regards filtering content. No. They can do something much more useful (to them) with it.

The internet is a very private medium. It's easy to forget that you are blasting your words off into the ether, or being watched while you buy and sell or bust a nut over some porn. But you are being watched.

The "government" can collate data about true sexual orientation, fantasy, shopping habits, poltical leanings yadda yadda, simply by collecting some data and doing some sums. With this information they can get better control over us all, by tailoring their messages so as to slip by us unnoticed.

The best slave is one who thinks he's free. The best conclusion is one that you come to with the facts I feed you.

Finally let's not forget that the internet has some great dangers to the primary medium of control - TV. More and more people look to survivor's blogs, alternate news sites, radical political opinion and wacky tinfoilers for their information. Hegemony is much more difficult to achieve and maintain with a genuine free press and genuine free exchange of ideas.

Former Member

For once klintock, we are in total agreement.

Former Member

http://www.webdevelopersjournal.com/columns/ajs_who_controls_internet.html

Teh_Gerbil

Man Of Kent wrote:

For once klintock, we are in total agreement.

As above... the internet is powerful. But let's face something here - if Al-Queda are on the net in the big way they are, this means one of two things:

1. The Net just isn't that well controlled. The reigns are lose here.
2. Cladestine would be happy. Al-Queda really is a lie, and a conspiracy planted in the world to keep us drinking up the party line and beleiving all their shit.

Scary. I hope its the first.

Former Member

i read a rather worrying article a while ago, basically about how the internet has changed since its inception and it's all about control........bit long winded and goes into some more technical aspects, but interesting nonetheless

Former Member

apollo_69 wrote:

i read a rather worrying article a while ago, basically about how the internet has changed since its inception and it's all about control........bit long winded and goes into some more technical aspects, but interesting nonetheless

the powers that be know how to drug a population.
control?
well as long as we can all sit here calling our leaders cunts and trying to uncover and second guess their motives and actions for this that and the other ...we will celebrate our freedom and democracy ...yeah right.

electronic comunication is the most powerful opiate going at the mo.

Former Member

morrocan roll wrote:

well as long as we can all sit here calling our leaders cunts and trying to uncover and second guess their motives and actions for this that and the other ...we will celebrate our freedom and democracy ...yeah right.

Enjoy your drink at the Last Chance Saloon because when the New World Order takes over such simple pleasure will be just fond memories, and rightly so.

Former Member

True Blue wrote:

Enjoy your drink at the Last Chance Saloon because when the New World Order takes over such simple pleasure will be just fond memories, and rightly so.

your one of the people from my nightmares.
i have known all my life people like you have been allowed to breed ...and now you flourish ....shudder.

Former Member

Obviously its better if the internet is under the control of the US - it being a democratic, free state where liberty is enshrined in law.

What would happen to the internet if it was under the authoritarian control of a country like China?

Former Member

The Matadore wrote:

Obviously its better if the internet is under the control of the US - it being a democratic, free state where liberty is enshrined in law.

What would happen to the internet if it was under the authoritarian control of a country like China?

My point is that it shouldn't be under the control of any country.

Former Member

You cant get around the fact that the root servers must be located on earth somewhere - my point is that its better to have them reside in a country like the US - where free speech is a treasured liberty.

Former Member

The Matadore wrote:

You cant get around the fact that the root servers must be located on earth somewhere - my point is that its better to have them reside in a country like the US - where free speech is a treasured liberty.

Yes, but why does the Department of Commerce have to be involved - why not a not-for-profit organisation independent of the Government

Former Member

NQA wrote:

Yes, but why does the Department of Commerce have to be involved - why not a not-for-profit organisation independent of the Government

It seems to be working ok so why all the bleating? Is it just the festering of pure anti-American sentiment?

Former Member

True Blue wrote:

Is it just the festering of pure anti-American sentiment?

If you think that's it you obviously don't know me very well

Former Member

You cant get around the fact that the root servers must be located on earth somewhere

No, they don't. Space will be used eventually.

my point is that its better to have them reside in a country like the US - where free speech is a treasured liberty.

Hmmm yes. It's treasured by the people in that geography and beleive it's america, certainly. I doubt that the "government" shares that love. Why else would it get involved?

Former Member

Well, obviously a private company would be the best organisation to hold the servers, but something like the internet and the power it holds is not going to be given up by any government. I'm just glad its in the hands of the US government and not one like - for example - China or Russia.

Teh_Gerbil

The Matadore wrote:

Well, obviously a private company would be the best organisation to hold the servers, but something like the internet and the power it holds is not going to be given up by any government. I'm just glad its in the hands of the US government and not one like - for example - China or Russia.

Knew you'd say that. Heh. If the MSN servers are anything to go by, A private company would be shit at the net.

I like it as it is - It's hardly monitored at all. They've kept it good so far, but now they are craking down - it will end up just like if China controlled it, but the US government being the oppressor.

If Russia owned it, it'd rock hard. It'd be unregulated now completley - Just like to much of Russia is. Privatisation was carried through nearly fully there - look where it landed them. Chaos. Everything the state had was sold, and they are regretting it now. Ask the Russian people if it is better now or then... and get a shock.

Former Member

Well seeing as the internet started as a way for US govenment and military computers to talk to each other, I wouldn't be surprised if they kept some kind of control over it. As someone has already said, when has the US ever passed up a chance to control something?

Former Member

It all should be moved to Switzerland. Everything else is... Countries don't get much more neutral than the Swiss.