Short Version: support of Net Neutrality by visiting FMC | Rock the Net: Musicians Support Network Neutrality
and support for indie net radio:Save Net Radio


Noise Pop is working with the Future of Music Coalition to raise awareness of and support for an issue that becomes more and more worrisome to artists and labels each passing day: Network Neutrality. You may have never heard of it yet but this is an issue that will fundamentally affect the way you receive information as well as your ability to reach your fans online.

Net Neutrality is the guiding principle that preserves the free and open Internet. It prevents the companies that control the wires from discriminating against content based on who owns it. In other words, it helps to ensure that small blogs can be accessed just as easily as sites owned by large media companies.

It may seem like a fairly abstract concept today, but with the $86 billion (yes, billion) merger of AT&T and Bell South that the FCC approved last month, it becomes more and more of a reality. As a matter of fact, AT&T chairman Ed Whitacre has already stated publicly that he'd like companies to pay for the use of their "pipes."

As you are well aware, the Internet has given artists the unprecedented ability to communicate with fans on a one-to-one basis. Imagine, all of a sudden, an internet where MTV.com runs 50 times faster than Pitchfork. Where CD Baby goes out of business because they can no longer afford to compete with the likes of Amazon or Best Buy. Or even worse, corporate giants cutting deals with internet providers so that independent artists, labels, and news sites are completely cut out of the picture.

We are striving to maintain Net Neutrality so that the internet does not go the way of commercial radio: big corporations with deep resources and even deeper pockets working with telecommunications giants to decide what websites get viewed when and how quickly.

So what do we want from you? Our goal is to demonstrate that net neutrality is an issue that the music community is passionate about. We are doing this by compiling a list of artists who are expressing concerned about the issues. OK Go, Death Cab For Cutie, The Donnas, The Wrens, R.E.M., Kathleen Hanna, Ted Leo, Rogue Wave and Calexico already signed on. We hope that you will allow us to add you to the list of supporters. We must band together and show Congress that we understand what is at stake and that we are paying attention.

You can add your name to the growing list of artists in support of Net Neutrality by visiting FMC | Rock the Net: Create a Band Account

If you have any questions or want more information, please email chris@noisepop.com

Thanks,
Noise Pop

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Well, it was no Goodburger.

The whole issue is seriously disturbing, especially when you consider that it may not just affect the US, but the rest of the world as well.
Without the internet, it'll be even harder not just for musicians, but also for music fans, to be able to discover new things.
As well as other forms of art like movies (a lack of support for independant creators who aren't backed by big studios) - both live action and animated. God knows how far this could be extended, cause when it comes to making a profit, big companies are often completely ruthless, and fuck the little guy.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Trev_Mc_Don no i really hate unfunny people like u go slit your wrists

It's just absolute cheek though. Businesses/individuals already pay (or take advantage of free services with advertising) to have their content sitting somewhere on a server. I pay to be able to use the "pipes" to locate that content and have it come to me. They can't seriously charge people for the privilege of having their data go over the network, I'm already paying for the privilege of having that data to come to me. They'd essentially be getting paid twice for every connection made. It's just ludicrous, before you even get to the neutrality issue.

This thread just reminded me of a cute song

The BroadBand (Kay Hanely, Michelle Lewis, Jill Sobule) - God Save The Internet

from SaveTheInternet.com

Fundamentally, do you support the right of the individual to express themselves on the internet, or do you feel it justified that "the owners" have a greater right to control communication?

Here at KR we see many who would gladly limit these freedoms for others who they deem undesirable. Some feel the "owners" have the power to control, therefore, should have the right to do what they please.

I disagree. I want the internet to be free access, with limited control. I support responsible individual expression with just administration for the common good. Cyberspace is not real estate. If, under the US Constitution a corporation has the right to be classified as an "individual", then the individual on the internet should have the right to compete in the marketplace of ideas with said "individual" rights.

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"Tell me what you see; and I'll know where you are"
~~cc

I gave love; you gave me a thistle;
We shared tenderness; then you ran away;
I planted a rose; and you blossomed;
I had fresh hopes; tho' winter froze them solid