I can appreciate the recent buzz surrounding the newly-launched satirical website WeOwnTheInternet.org, which smartly pokes fun at the corporatocracy’s indefensible position on Network Neutrality. Ann Handley points out that humor can rouse interest in an otherwise drab topic.

But I sometimes worry about why this satirical website exists in the first place. To any average citizen that understands the facts surrounding the net neutrality issue, IT IS AN ABSOLUTE NO-BRAINER. So why, oh why do we need a brilliantly-clever satirical website wrapped in a stellar viral campaign dedicated to THIS ISSUE?

To me it is a sign of the following:

1. Many Americans generally are not capable of comprehending even the basic concept of “competition = good,” “monopoly = bad.” At the very least, it seems that a little bit of techno jargon like “net neutrality” is all the roadblock you need to make Americans throw up our hands in utter confusion.
2. The major corporate media outlets (all four of them) have done a masterful job of confusing the issues surrounding net neutrality. The only “progressive” messages that have a chance at getting through loud and clear to the masses must be extremely clever and must be delivered virally outside of the mainstream channels.
3. Most Americans have no idea that net neutrality laws affect each and every one of us. We all have a stake in this. We all stand to lose.

Suggested Reading

• Wikipedia on Network Neutrality
• “Whose Property is it?” From the Center for Economic Growth
• SaveTheInternet

Seth has a thought-provoking post today about how we measure ourselves against this idea of “success.” I agree that often we don’t put much time or thought into defining exactly what success means to us.

I always liked coach John Wooden’s definition of success, and it’s what I use for myself:

John Wooden on Success

Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best that you are capable of becoming.