Enhancing Free Speech with Universal Broadband Access

This isn't done yet. Please hold your applause (or whatever else) 'til the end.

-- By DanielHarris - 14 Feb 2008

Intro

Free Speech and feasibility as a positive right by way of intro "Positive rights" (what are these really called?) we have a bias against them (see Decl. of Human Rights: health) free public education, though. It isn't without precedent.

Expansions of the speech right

right to speak anonymously, for instance

Should the Gov't be forced to provide a means to spread speech?

In the 21st century, will you be able to speak "usefully" if you can't self-publish? Does access to the new public square require broadband? How about quasi-public square areas (shopping malls as public space in CA). I argue yes. Why?

Widespread Broadband Can Enhance Speech

It's not just consumption--this network lets you participate E-government (is this speech? privacy concerns) It's cost-prohibitive to give everyone a printing press or even inkjet cartridges--but it's not cost-prohibitive to give everyone (access to) a blog site for self-publishing Importance of the always-on quality: reliability, addressability (IPv6?)

Broadband

video as the future? Something beyond video requiring more bandwidth? Media matters: Nixon Kennedy debates and who won based on which medium used.

Why the gov't?

Network effect (positive externalities)--networks are more useful when anyone you want to reach is on the network. These externalities are disregarded by the current broadband oligopoly, which doesn't see the benefits of rolling out to rural New England (or, say, urban WV)

National security? Why not. Worked for the Interstates. Civ railroad example? Education, too (which is natl sec and economic development, among the many things you can cloak it as)

Cost benefits from e-gov (remove earlier e-gov if dup.)