This is an interesting article on ways that the internet as we know it could die. It is interesting reading, but one thing sticks in the craw.
8. The lawyers get involved. The Internet has been an experiment in free speech. That may be coming to an end. Unable to go after the sites themselves, lawyers go after the hosters and registrars.
I just want to point out, other lawyers will work to keep it going. I’d be a wee bit worried about the government, myself.
Hopefully you’re right. My concerns are more with legislation that’s politically backed, and the fact that corporations, backed by the profit motive, can afford to pay more lawyers than the “free” causes. GOOG stuck up for data privacy when other search engines capitulated — a bright sign IMHO — but that doesn’t always happen. How many companies have mission statements about how evil they will be?
Anyway, glad it triggered some thought. I have to say that the response — both from those who read the piece as intended, and those who jumped on a particular pet topic — has been surprising…
Looking at it, I realize I should have been more specific. Because Alistair is right, corporations (and government) can afford more lawyers, said lawyers are essentially a tool being used to assist in efforts to shape the internet. But other lawyers will take action, many on their own accord, to resist that shaping.