I don’t work in telecommunications. I don’t really know or care about things like ISPs, LANs and VPNs. Most importantly, I am not under 35 years old, and do not spend my every waking hour worrying over the fate of the internet.

Chris Sinacola
For these reasons, I am perfectly qualified to explain why the debate over net neutrality is nonsense.
Now spare me your irate emails blasting my ignorance. I understand the basics of the debate, as well as the overheated politics surrounding it. In this age of ubiquitous media, anyone of sound mind can grasp the basic facts about net neutrality in a few minutes.
Spend half an hour on it, and you’ll learn about things like throttling, BitTorrent and deep packet inspection, along with scores of other obscure technical aspects that are as relevant to your life as whether the U.S. Postal Service stops Saturday mail delivery.
Keep going and you’ll soon lose touch with reality. You’ll begin to believe that the end of net neutrality is akin to the loss of democratic freedoms, and restoring it is as important as the issuance of the Declaration of Independence or the ending of slavery.
Sorry, not even close.
I am qualified to pass judgment on net neutrality because I am (just barely) old enough to have spent a few years of childhood without a TV set. When Dad brought home that first set — in color, no less — we boys were in awe. When my older brother received a clock radio one Christmas, we all believed we heard the voices of angels in that smooth, rich sound.
Growing up, our home entertainment options consisted of the daily newspaper, broadcast TV, AM/FM radio, and our imaginations. Whenever weather, static, or a lack of fresh batteries short-circuited those options, we turned to books. We turned to books a lot.
We used electric typewriters in college. A few classmates had word processors. Most of my first decade in journalism unfolded in the pre-internet age. We had telephones and libraries. To get stories, we cultivated sources, built relationships, and did a lot of walking and driving around. In time, we had the resources of the internet, although for several years only via dial-up lines that were much less reliable than options available to commercial and residential customers today.
My own children grew up with internet service, which we tried, mostly in vain, to limit and ration. Children are superb exemplars of on-demand economics.
Today, our whole family, like much of the developed world, takes for granted the resources of instant messaging, Skype, and unlimited internet service. The idea of paying extra for a long-distance phone call is largely unknown. Few people under age 30 have ever placed a collect phone call.
So dominant and at times invasive have electronics and computers become in our lives that many, and not just in my generation, actively seek refuge from constant connectivity. Yet even when we take a long hike or go camping, we leave word where we’re headed and bring along the cellphone.
So, when I hear tech-savvy folks lament the repeal of net neutrality, I just smile to myself and say nothing. I could roll out the arguments pro and con, how Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai, a Republican appointee, believes repeal will stimulate innovation, while many Democrats believe it hands too much power to telecommunications giants and will hurt consumers. I could point out that a bill filed in Massachusetts to reimpose net neutrality here is grandstanding, since the FCC’s jurisdiction over telecommunications clearly overrides whatever states may do.
But you can find all those arguments elsewhere, and someone willing to tell you how wrong you are, whichever position you might hold on net neutrality.
What you won’t hear from them, however, is what I’m telling you: It doesn’t matter. A long view of our media-verse makes clear that relatively free markets, consumer demands, and human ingenuity — all of which survive in the wake of a 3-2 FCC vote — inevitably yield greater choice at affordable prices.
Neither the repeal of net neutrality nor its eventual reinstatement, should that ever occur, will make the slightest difference to your life. You’ll hear a lot of hot air to the contrary. When you do, change the channel. Watch a good movie. Listen to an interesting podcast. Or read a great book. There are a lot of things to consider in this life, and most are a lot more interesting and important than net neutrality.
Chris Sinacola is a Worcester Sun columnist. His observations on politics, current events, history and more appear online every week. Chris will also be regularly featured in Worcester Sun’s weekly print edition, on newsstands Saturday morning.
I love your writing style genuinely enjoying this site.
Very interesting topic, regards for posting.
Hey, you used to write magnificent, but the last few posts have been kinda boring… I miss your tremendous writings. Past several posts are just a bit out of track! come on!
of course like your website however you have to test the spelling on several of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very troublesome to tell the reality nevertheless I will definitely come back again.
I think other web site proprietors should take this web site as an model, very clean and excellent user friendly style and design, as well as the content. You are an expert in this topic!
you are actually a just right webmaster. The web site loading pace is incredible. It kind of feels that you’re doing any unique trick. Also, The contents are masterwork. you’ve performed a fantastic activity on this topic!
Hi, just required you to know I he added your site to my Google bookmarks due to your layout. But seriously, I believe your internet site has 1 in the freshest theme I??ve came across. It extremely helps make reading your blog significantly easier.
Hi would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re utilizing? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different web browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you suggest a good web hosting provider at a fair price? Many thanks, I appreciate it!
You are my aspiration, I own few web logs and occasionally run out from brand :). “He who controls the past commands the future. He who commands the future conquers the past.” by George Orwell.
Those are yours alright! . We at least need to get these people stealing images to start blogging! They probably just did a image search and grabbed them. They look good though!
It¦s in point of fact a great and helpful piece of info. I¦m satisfied that you shared this useful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Hey there! I’ve been following your site for a while now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from New Caney Tx! Just wanted to tell you keep up the excellent job!
I think other web-site proprietors should take this site as an model, very clean and magnificent user friendly style and design, as well as the content. You are an expert in this topic!
Good write-up, I am normal visitor of one’s site, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
I really appreciate this post. I have been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thanks again
I just like the helpful info you provide for your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and take a look at again right here regularly. I am quite certain I will learn many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!
I have been examinating out a few of your posts and it’s pretty clever stuff. I will surely bookmark your website.
Nice post. I was checking continuously this weblog and I’m impressed! Extremely helpful info particularly the closing section 🙂 I handle such info a lot. I was seeking this particular info for a very lengthy time. Thanks and best of luck.
I think other website proprietors should take this internet site as an example , very clean and great user friendly design.
I really appreciate this post. I have been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thanks again!
I like this weblog so much, saved to bookmarks. “American soldiers must be turned into lambs and eating them is tolerated.” by Muammar Qaddafi.
Thanks for another informative site. The place else may I am getting that kind of info written in such a perfect method? I’ve a mission that I am just now operating on, and I have been on the look out for such information.
I cling on to listening to the reports speak about getting boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the best site to get one. Could you advise me please, where could i acquire some?
I dugg some of you post as I cogitated they were extremely helpful invaluable
I do consider all the ideas you’ve introduced to your post. They are really convincing and will definitely work. Still, the posts are too short for novices. May just you please extend them a bit from next time? Thank you for the post.
This actually answered my drawback, thanks!
Appreciate it for this tremendous post, I am glad I observed this web site on yahoo.
An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little analysis on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog post!
I really like your writing style, excellent information, appreciate it for putting up :D. “Let every man mind his own business.” by Miguel de Cervantes.
hi!,I like your writing so much! proportion we keep in touch extra approximately your post on AOL? I require a specialist in this area to resolve my problem. May be that is you! Looking ahead to peer you.
Wow! Thank you! I continually needed to write on my blog something like that. Can I include a part of your post to my website?
Hi there very nice blog!! Man .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds also?KI’m glad to search out a lot of helpful information right here in the put up, we need develop more strategies in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
Aw, this was a really nice post. In idea I would like to put in writing like this moreover – taking time and actual effort to make an excellent article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and on no account seem to get something done.
Some genuinely fantastic info , Sword lily I detected this.
great points altogether, you just gained a new reader. What would you suggest in regards to your post that you made some days ago? Any positive?
I am perpetually thought about this, thanks for posting.
You really make it appear so easy with your presentation however I in finding this topic to be actually something which I believe I’d never understand. It kind of feels too complicated and very huge for me. I am looking forward for your subsequent publish, I will attempt to get the dangle of it!
I’m still learning from you, but I’m trying to reach my goals. I certainly liked reading everything that is posted on your blog.Keep the stories coming. I liked it!
Rattling nice layout and excellent content material, very little else we need : D.
Sweet web site, super layout, really clean and apply genial.
A person essentially help to make seriously posts I would state. This is the very first time I frequented your website page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made to make this particular publish incredible. Fantastic job!
Yeah bookmaking this wasn’t a bad determination outstanding post! .
I¦ve read several just right stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how a lot attempt you set to make this kind of fantastic informative website.
My brother suggested I may like this blog. He was once totally right. This submit truly made my day. You cann’t imagine just how a lot time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
I was looking at some of your articles on this site and I believe this site is real instructive! Retain putting up.
Pretty! This was a really wonderful post. Thank you for your provided information.
Spot on with this write-up, I truly assume this web site needs rather more consideration. I’ll most likely be once more to learn rather more, thanks for that info.
After research a number of of the blog posts on your web site now, and I truly like your method of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website record and shall be checking again soon. Pls try my web site as properly and let me know what you think.
wonderful issues altogether, you simply received a new reader. What may you suggest in regards to your submit that you simply made a few days ago? Any sure?
I think this website has some rattling superb information for everyone :D. “As ill-luck would have it.” by Miguel de Cervantes.
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back often!
Excellent web site. Lots of useful information here. I¦m sending it to some buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you in your effort!
Hi my friend! I wish to say that this post is awesome, nice written and include almost all significant infos. I’d like to see more posts like this.
Great V I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs as well as related info ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, website theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Nice task..
I think other web site proprietors should take this website as an model, very clean and fantastic user genial style and design, let alone the content. You’re an expert in this topic!
It’s appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or advice. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things about it!
Hi there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one? Thanks a lot!
Very interesting subject, regards for posting.
Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care
I am delighted that I detected this web site, just the right information that I was searching for! .
Please let me know if you’re looking for a author for your site. You have some really great articles and I think I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write some material for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please blast me an email if interested. Cheers!
My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on various websites for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform. I have heard good things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can import all my wordpress posts into it? Any help would be really appreciated!
Would you be desirous about exchanging links?
You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!
You are a very intelligent individual!
Appreciate it for all your efforts that you have put in this. very interesting info .
I’m impressed, I need to say. Actually hardly ever do I encounter a blog that’s each educative and entertaining, and let me let you know, you’ve hit the nail on the head. Your concept is outstanding; the difficulty is something that not sufficient individuals are speaking intelligently about. I am very joyful that I stumbled throughout this in my seek for something relating to this.
Good V I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs and related information ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, web site theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Nice task..
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was searching for!
I?¦m no longer positive the place you are getting your information, however great topic. I must spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for wonderful info I used to be searching for this info for my mission.
Just desire to say your article is as astounding. The clarity to your submit is simply nice and i could suppose you are a professional on this subject. Well along with your permission let me to grasp your feed to keep up to date with coming near near post. Thanks 1,000,000 and please carry on the rewarding work.
You should take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I will recommend this site!
Whats up are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you need any coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!
An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little bit analysis on this. And he actually purchased me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! However yeah Thnkx for spending the time to debate this, I really feel strongly about it and love studying extra on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you thoughts updating your weblog with more details? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog submit!
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with valuable information to work on. You’ve done an impressive job and our whole community will be grateful to you.
I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good example of it.
It’s really a great and helpful piece of information. I’m glad that you shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You obviously know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your weblog when you could be giving us something informative to read?
It is actually a nice and helpful piece of information. I’m satisfied that you just shared this useful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your post seem to be running off the screen in Safari. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know. The layout look great though! Hope you get the issue solved soon. Thanks
I got good info from your blog
Some genuinely great info , Glad I observed this. “If you don’t make mistakes, you aren’t really trying.” by Coleman Hawking.
I like meeting useful information , this post has got me even more info! .
Really superb information can be found on web blog.
I?¦ve learn a few just right stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how so much effort you put to make any such fantastic informative web site.
Regards for all your efforts that you have put in this. very interesting information.
Hello my loved one! I wish to say that this post is amazing, nice written and come with almost all important infos. I’d like to peer extra posts like this.
I like this web site because so much utile stuff on here : D.
I believe this internet site has some rattling fantastic info for everyone. “He is able who thinks he is able.” by Buddha.
I do like the way you have framed this specific problem and it does indeed give us some fodder for thought. On the other hand, coming from just what I have observed, I just hope when the remarks pack on that people continue to be on point and don’t start upon a soap box involving the news du jour. Yet, thank you for this excellent piece and while I do not really concur with it in totality, I regard your standpoint.
Some genuinely interesting details you have written.Aided me a lot, just what I was looking for : D.
Thank you for sharing with us, I believe this website really stands out : D.
Today, I went to the beachfront with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!
You are a very bright individual!
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.