 pnh102Reptiles Are Cuddly And PrettyPremium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD
1 edit | reply to B
Re: Another "Solution" Looking for a Problem said by B:The reason libraries even offer free Internet access is that the community pays for it. Since we all seem to think the "library of the future" is based on the Internet model with ubiquitous and home access, it's not unreasonable to carry that idea further to the point of making utility computing free or subsidized in most homes. But also keep in mind that libraries exist because people may also not be able to purchase the books contained therein. The first libraries (I believe they were invented in Babylon 5000 years ago) main purpose was to store tablets so that the average joe could see them if he/she wanted to. I think providing (and expanding) Internet access in modern libraries is no different, after all, we wouldn't go purchasing books for anyone else who wants them now, right? We tell them to go to the library and check out a copy.
But as for "free" Internet for people who don't want to pay for it, I figure society already provides enough freebies as it is. People who want Internet so bad, just like people who want Jags, Porches and Bentleys, should have to go work and earn the privilege if they want to.
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Rove / Rumsfeld 2008! |
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BPremium,MVM
join:2000-10-28 | Yes that's a perfectly reasonable argument, except that the other theory is that the Internet really changes everything, to the point where NOT having it ubiquitiously available will be a serious drawback to participation in society.
We're nowhere near that point yet, but if we reach it then visiting a physical library will not be a reasonable substitute.
-- B
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In a realm outside causality and function |
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| Why not give free phone and Tv to everyone while were at it. These are vital sources of info and communications, arent they?
I cannot believe that many are touting internet as the save all from economic depression. This is all just left wing political posturing so that "uninformed" people think that these politicians have their best interests in mind...please they just want their votes in the next election.
Subsidized internet will be probably not be utilized by the poor or those who can't afford it becuase if they can't afford internet then how can they afford a new PC or laptop, plus wireless adapter. Are our tax dollars going to buy people these too?
Lets just give everyone free everything and we will all be happy, no rewards for hard work or sacrifice...oh wait communinism, a similar "great idea", has been crushed by the US, hopefully this "new great idea" of municipal free broadband will so see the same fate. |
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 phugitPremium
join:2002-07-26
Olney, MD
1 edit | Out of all the arguments, I really can't believe I never looked at it the way you just put it... right on!
>Why not give free phone and Tv to everyone while were at
>it. These are vital sources of info and communications,
>arent they?
Yes, yes I see a counter is that soon that stuff is over the Internet anyway, but it isn't now. |
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 rideboarderwelcome to the socialPremium
join:2003-07-28
Snohomish, WA | reply to pnh102
said by pnh102:But as for "free" Internet for people who don't want to pay for it, I figure society already provides enough freebies as it is. People who want Internet so bad, just like people who want Jags, Porsches and Bentleys, should have to go work and earn the privilege if they want to. "Free" internet would be one thing, but it's talking about broadband access. Now, I could understand giving them dial-up access for free or at low cost, however I for one don't believe that they need broadband access for free.
To continue with what you said...Why is having broadband access more important than having a car? As far as I'm concerned, without either of them you can still get around, i.e. public transportation or going to the library for internet access. Does this mean that we will just hand out BMW's to the poor so that they can get around and have the same freedoms and luxuries as hard working people? Hell, even giving them a beat up. car would be too much. Giving them assistance to live is one thing, but having broadband access surely isn't a necessity at all since we can survive just fine without it. |
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rideboarderwelcome to the socialPremium
join:2003-07-28
Snohomish, WA | reply to truocchio
said by truocchio:I cannot believe that many are touting internet as the save all from economic depression. This is all just left wing political posturing so that "uninformed" people think that these politicians have their best interests in mind...please they just want their votes in the next election. Let's leave politics out of this one. I'm "liberal" and I don't support this at all. For all I care these politicians are nuts. |
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pnh102Reptiles Are Cuddly And PrettyPremium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD | reply to B
said by B:We're nowhere near that point yet, but if we reach it then visiting a physical library will not be a reasonable substitute. Another good idea is for anyone who wants to donate Internet access to a poor household should be given tax breaks or other incentives to do it. It would be an ideal charity with the government not spending a single dime. I.e., people who want others to have internet can just pay for a subscription for someone else who is poor, and then deduct that from their gross income for tax purposes.
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Rove / Rumsfeld 2008! |
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 kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY | said by pnh102:said by B:We're nowhere near that point yet, but if we reach it then visiting a physical library will not be a reasonable substitute. Another good idea is for anyone who wants to donate Internet access to a poor household should be given tax breaks or other incentives to do it. It would be an ideal charity with the government not spending a single dime. I.e., people who want others to have internet can just pay for a subscription for someone else who is poor, and then deduct that from their gross income for tax purposes. Suuure, government shouldn't pay for ANYTHING, right?
Fuck the government then. I pay taxes, so I want my money back if they don't do shit as this current corrupt lunatic freak show doesn't do shit. |
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kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY
1 edit | reply to rideboarder
said by rideboarder:said by pnh102:But as for "free" Internet for people who don't want to pay for it, I figure society already provides enough freebies as it is. People who want Internet so bad, just like people who want Jags, Porsches and Bentleys, should have to go work and earn the privilege if they want to. "Free" internet would be one thing, but it's talking about broadband access. Now, I could understand giving them dial-up access for free or at low cost, however I for one don't believe that they need broadband access for free. Ouch... FYI: dial-up COSTS MORE, due to the cost of the landline, pal. BB isn't, that's only the cost of the provider's operating cost.
To continue with what you said...Why is having broadband access more important than having a car? As far as I'm concerned, without either of them you can still get around, i.e. public transportation or going to the library for internet access. Does this mean that we will just hand out BMW's to the poor so that they can get around and have the same freedoms and luxuries as hard working people? Hell, even giving them a beat up. car would be too much. Giving them assistance to live is one thing, but having broadband access surely isn't a necessity at all since we can survive just fine without it.
Ouch again... have you ever been to NYC?
Why is having broadband access more important than having a car? - perhaps because we have a great subway system, as well as bus, express bus etc and perhaps there's a reason most people use mass transit for commuting?
I could easily afford a car but I won't buy one - what for? Subway is cheap and takes me to anywhere or if I want it, I take an also cheap cab.
And we already have the elderly/disabled/welfare/whatever MetroCard for dirt cheap. |
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