Is or should internet access be a human right?
This was raised by a live caller to my program. What do you think? Certainly internet is at this point not a luxury but a utility, but what about going further into "human right?"
This was raised by a live caller to my program. What do you think? Certainly internet is at this point not a luxury but a utility, but what about going further into "human right?"
I agree that in a few years it could be considered a human right. As society progresses people are expected to keep up & expand their perspectives. Not doing so can cause people to lose their livelihoods, face being shunned in society or risk jail. When freedom hinges on staying current, then I could see how it could be a human right. I'm not going to hold my breath on it being granted that status since water is still not considered a human right.
This is a very complicated issue. What defines a "right"? If we break it down, every human right that we have we are intrinsically given through birth.
All of these things are self evident, therefor are our basic human rights, that are not endowed by any government but just because we are.
And on and on... If you think about rights in this way, where it is what we are intrinsically born with, what we require to live, then no Internet isn't a right. However, one could argue that in order to live in today's society, one must be able to access the internet, and if this is true, and the internet IS required to sustain yourself, then it would be a right.
I don't believe at this time in the human evolutionary process the internet is a right, but that doesn't mean in 20 or 30 years the internet will be required for practically every aspect of life. Once this is the case, then yes, it will be a right.
So in 20 - 30 years people will be born with it? Slight change in logic there.
But in 20 - 30 years with infinitely ubiquitous cloud-seeded nanobots autonomously connecting every human's brain (beginning in the womb) to the Internet through direct neuronal comnections, maybe I would reconsider my stance on this.
That was your line, haha.
Lol, you nailed it. That's why I said 20 or 30 years. When these types of technologies become accessible, it will need to be a right for humanity to have access to the internet. Not allowing them internet would be potentially a death sentence.
And obviously my time table is a bit fast, could be in 100 years, who knows. But it'll happen at some point down the road.
Crazy to think about. It could be sooner than people think.
I like your point of view, but you failed to follow to one critical point, humans require shelter to live, but it isn't a right.
Not trying to nitpick, I was just expecting a consideration for that point as well.
I think that would fall in the same arena as the water and food, and I agree. We have a right to make our own shelter to survive.
Right, but many of these points could be made for animals too...
Definitely.
Great reply! It’s a crazy wild world looking more like our science fiction novels of the recent past!
Everything is a human right, and gubmint will secure it for you. Just obey and live for the swarm! If not, you will be shut out and evolved out of the corporate life cycle. If gubmint fucks up and kills millions, it’s ok because it’s for your own good. If you speak out or act contrary, even if true, it’s reprehensible, and you will be cut off from our benevolent dictatorship. For your safety, of course.
I don't think it can/should be a human right. If it were, are we saying that governments will enforce laws requiring ISP providers to give it to people for "free"? I don't like that idea. Call me antiquated.
How can everyone have a human right that forces another person or entity to give you something that they have created from their own wealth, industry, knowledge, etc.?
Rights are generally protections from threats to your freedom from government or other entities and are not a guarantee of receiving goods or services.
By making Internet a human right you would be imposing on other already established human rights of others.
If water is not a human right (and I am not saying it should be) there is no way Internet should be!
Not saying I don't wish for everyone to have these wonderful things. You just cannot and should not attempt to guarantee them.
Internet as a human right does not mean a government mandated 100MB up'n'down to every home free of charge. It means that all people have an access to the internet. Perhaps in a local library or a community center.
And water, food and shelter should be absolutely be a human right. A community that does not provide those absolute minimums to their people has their priorities very twisted up.
What kind of a backwater countries are you people living in?
Here, in Finland and Estonia, internet has been declared as a basic human right for about 15 years.
And that how it should be. Access to information is limited only under dictatorships. For obvious reasons.
sadly, the internet backwater of the USA
Yeah. I keep hearing that people who you trusted to govern you, sold your asses to Verizon and the likes. My condolences. Maybe it is not too late to do something about it?!
Interesting arguments mentioned above. I definitely think the internet should be treated as a public utility (aka non-profit) – especially since the government in large part created the internet - which means it was funded by tax payer money (We, the people). I wonder if the right question is being asked? Should private corporations have a right to bribe and steal from the public's utilities for their own profit? Do US Citizens (or any others for that matter) have a right to NOT be financially raped by corporations? Do the poor have less of a right to access to the internet? How interesting @puukallistajathat that there are countries out there that give their people, not corporations, more rights.
Public utility, absolutely 110%
I think electricity should be a human right before internet becomes one
To be honest. No.
Yes, Internet is essential and should be something the whole world could find use for. We jokingly sometimes put it in the Maslow pyramid as primary need.
But in all honesty. Water, food and shelter. Let's make sure the world has that first. Then electricity. But the most important human right, is basic education. Without that, please don't provide wifi ;)
Expand your mind, my friend. Internet is not only facebook, cat videos and HD pr0n.
With a connection to the internet, you have the whole world's knowledge at your disposal with the touch of a button. That is the real power. That is the reason why dictatorships try to limit access to the web.
When you have connection, you have the means to better your life in all aspects.
Yes. Expand your mind and don't forget the basics.
I agree, Internet is a great resource, but:
For my work I'm on the pro online/social media side every day, was fun looking at it from another perspective for once ;)
See @puukallistaja, reading more of your comments, I understand your view a lot better. I studied in Helsinki for 3 months and actually visited Tallinn twice for projects. I was amazed that public parks in Estonia had free wifi and would wish that one day we would have that in Suriname as well. Unfortunately, Estonia is an outlier, and we are nowhere close to the Scandinavians in the rest of the world. Maybe Western Europe, maybe the larger cities worldwide, but definitely not in rural areas and developing countries. I do think Internet can help with closing the gap, but it still is a tool. You can't put up wifi signals and expect them to connect with their Nokia 3310 (the original), if they have a phone in the first place. And computers and smartphone still cost hundreds of dollars, so how can internet be a basic human right if the devices needed to access it are someone yearly salary?
On another note, if you are serious about making it a basic human need, I would love to reach out and see if a development project is possible between Suriname and Finland/Estonia to improve e-learning.
Waddup. I am not living in the north at the moment, so I might not be the best person to reach out to. But I will contact you through your company's website and lets share some thoughts. Too bad that steemit does not have private messaging.
Very interesting topic, I first thought that is crazy, then he mentionned the job situation so I can see here he is coming from, I agree with your assessment it is more a utility than a right. Which for me raise another question : in Europe we have winter protection which means your electricity and water cannot be cut during the cold months. If we treat Internet as a utility it will put the internet on the same playing field as electricity and water which is still not appropriate.
It should absolutely be a human right, although I suspect the problem would then be access to equipment and technology.