I Bought a Satellite and All I Got Was This Stupid News Post

[theSovietConnection]

While this would be the first step towards providing the internet as a right (it's a service as it is now, don't fool yourself into thinking otherwise), there are going to be many more costs associated with this then the initial cost of purchasing the satellite. All in all, though, I can't say I disagree with what they are doing.

And I am extremely disappointed that the shirt is only available in the U.S. I'd totally buy one.

[sub]Any Americans want to have it shipped to their house then to mine?[/sub]

 

[Wolfram23]

I like this, but which half of the Earth will get the internet?

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

....


It's really not a human right.

However...given Egypt recently...it may protect them.

That's a trade-off.

 

[TwistedEllipses]

Step one: put a hole in a box. Wait. No.

I would have gone with a South Park reference, afterall their business model seems to be:
1. Buy satellite
2. ???
3. Profit

 

[jpoon]

Excellent idea, I really hope that this works. Go team "free internets" go!

 

[Will of One]

Cool. I don't know if it will work, might just end up making them look stupid, but I kinda like the idea.

 

[Arcanist]

Huh, okay. I want to rebut this but could you elaborate a little more on what you mean? Especially that last bit. Are you implying that the internet is responsible for what's going on in Egypt?

Illegal and dangerous under whose terms? "I like democracy" is both in many places...like Egypt.

Ever heard of the anarchists cook book? The internet allows you to find out algebra just as easily as how to create Sarin gas. The 'net simply allowed mobilisation in Egybt very easily. Now imagine if it was for less noble reasons.

That's hardly a reason not to provide internet access where and when we can. That's like saying that we should close down all public libraries because they contain chemistry texts that could teach people how to make bombs and tear gas.

More on topic, this is a cause I can really get behind. /donate

 

[La Barata]

Hmmm, this seems all well and good... I have a sinking suspicion they're going to rename it Archangel, though... (10 internets to anyone who actually gets that reference)

 

[Arcanist]

Thanks to security in this country etc, we are able to have libraries and know we are relatively safe. The same cannot be said for some of the most violent and unstable countries in the world, and granting them unlimited access to the internet could cause a lot of problems.

'Because we're scared people might misuse it' is no excuse to not provide something as game-changing as internet access.

Oh, and what US of A do YOU live in? I wouldn't trust our security administrations with a wet paper bag.

 

[natster43]

That is pretty awesome. I hope they are able to do this.

 

[The Random One]

receive the internet waves from space

This is the best line ever written for the Escapist, right there.

An interesting idea, but I doubt telecom companies, who have the most to lose if a significant part of the world got unlimited free internet, will sit idly for this.

 

[WanderingFool]

This sounds good and all... until you realize we've already ran out of IP addresses...

Dont worry, the nerds already solved the problem... between the being thrown in lockers and ran up a flag pole by their underwear...

 

[winter2]

So does this mean I will get more spam from Kenya?

 

[Baresark]

Haha, what a glorious idea... I have a few problems with it though.

1. I hate the whole line where people are fuckin' stupid enough to believe that internet is a right, pretty sure the forefathers wouldn't agree.

2. Extremely poorly thought out. A single satellite couldn't possibly provide internet for the estimated remaining 4.5 BILLION people that don't have internet access, let alone the legions of people that already pay for the internet and get speeds faster than boulders in a wind tunnel.

3. Such an advanced satellite would cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $629 MILLION, they are hardly on their way.

Mad phat whack props to them for trying. Maybe they'll get close, fail, then singlehandedly cure cancer. We can only hope something good and fruitful comes out of this.

 

[thiosk]

What a great idea! All we have to do is make sure that only rich, affluent people in rich, affluent nations can use it and I call this the best initiative ever.

The poor can pay with their kidneys.

 

[Baresark]

Huh, okay. I want to rebut this but could you elaborate a little more on what you mean? Especially that last bit. Are you implying that the internet is responsible for what's going on in Egypt?

Illegal and dangerous under whose terms? "I like democracy" is both in many places...like Egypt.

Ever heard of the anarchists cook book? The internet allows you to find out algebra just as easily as how to create Sarin gas. The 'net simply allowed mobilisation in Egybt very easily. Now imagine if it was for less noble reasons.

That's hardly a reason not to provide internet access where and when we can. That's like saying that we should close down all public libraries because they contain chemistry texts that could teach people how to make bombs and tear gas.

More on topic, this is a cause I can really get behind. /donate

Thanks to security in this country etc, we are able to have libraries and know we are relatively safe. The same cannot be said for some of the most violent and unstable countries in the world, and granting them unlimited access to the internet could cause a lot of problems.

This conversation is ridiculous. Some bad comes from free exchange of ideas, but far more good comes from it. It's when people are told what they are supposed to learn we all become dumber. Yes, the internet is responsible for people organizing like they have in Egypt. And I downloaded the "famed" anarchists cook book in high school and managed not to kill anyone, utterly amazing I know. More importantly, I can't stand the ignorant use of that word, "anarchy". No one should utter the word less they actually know the meaning of it.

I know how to kill people, but I don't. Like most people. You are advocating kindergarten politics, just because a few bad apples get their hands on something doesn't mean the rest of us won't/don't use it responsibly.