http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/ Engadget Comments for 79 percent of adults believe web access is a 'fundamental right' http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Mar 9th 2010 6:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/dear Mr Nigerian.
i am the prince of a small county in merry old england
my father has just passed away bequeathing me a vast fortune.
to access the funds which i will be able to share with you please send me all of your bank details, your date of birth and any other useful information.
once sent i will see you recieve adequate rewards
yours sincerely
prince thebettertwin]]>Mar 9th 2010 6:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Jesus I have been getting those all to often! Trying to sell shit on Craigslist is a PITA! Luckily I have found a good screening method to weed out Spammers from the first message by adding things in the listing.]]>Mar 9th 2010 7:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
I busted my butt through college, working three jobs. I did so because I didn't want the debt. I did so because I wanted to get a nice job with nice perks. You know what? I got those things because I picked a nice degree option and not some arts degree.

Work hard and you can claim these things without someone else paying for them.

OK, now my rant is done.]]>Mar 9th 2010 10:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Mar 9th 2010 10:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Well said, very well said.]]>Mar 9th 2010 11:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
Calm down. A fundamental right doesn't mean that it's the governments job to pay for it. It simply means that the gov can't f*ck with your right, like take it away without cause and due process, or put unreasonable hurdles in the way such as burdensome licensing.
]]>Mar 9th 2010 11:08AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Mar 9th 2010 11:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
That right would fall under the pursuit of happiness. We don't have a seperate law for right of internet usage. We don't need one either. The bill of rights gives us hose rights. Everything else is either legal or illegal.

I just wanted to state that I am 24. Some people think all of the youth is skewed. There are a few of us that have it figured out.]]>Mar 9th 2010 11:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
Totally agree...I mean after internet what's next, a TV, a mobile phone (arguably just as important in modern society)...pretty soon we are going to have sleep walked into communism!]]>Mar 9th 2010 11:59AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
If the Internet is a right then electricity needs to be a right because last I checked you need a device with power to actually connect. Also last I checked if you don't pay your electric bill you lose your power. So wouldn't electricity need to be a right first?]]>Mar 9th 2010 1:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
Having the right to something does not constitute entitlement. You are not entitled to have someone give it to you because it's your right to have it.]]>Mar 9th 2010 2:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
True, but most people read 'right' and think "This is something the world owes me." ]]>Mar 9th 2010 3:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Mar 9th 2010 3:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://bit.ly/fastest-internet-connection-on-earth-future

Alas!]]>Mar 9th 2010 4:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Mar 9th 2010 5:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
so you suffered therefore everyone should suffer?

It behooves you to rethink your obtuse and specious logic.

There is a term for your political paradigm: Sour grapes.

]]>Mar 10th 2010 6:51AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Mar 10th 2010 4:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
Lets think about this guys...
Is public education a right? yes it is because everyone has a right to knowledge...
there is also private schools that have better education (and there will be private internet companies)
everything is online, to find out information on DMVs and other government institutions it needs everyone to be able to be connected
People receive emails from doctors, DMVS, Banks, and pretty much everything at this point... it should be a right
]]>Mar 12th 2010 7:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Mar 18th 2010 2:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Mar 9th 2010 6:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/That would be %100 of Engadget users. XD
(Read up, internet users did rate higher than the total population.)]]>Mar 9th 2010 6:55AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
Due Process? Fundamental. Pizza delivery? Awesomeness. Voting? Fundamental. Funny pictures of cats with captions? Awesomeness. ]]>Mar 9th 2010 7:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
Nope.

I dont consider the internet to be a fundamental right. It's a product no different than a TV.

]]>Mar 9th 2010 7:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
I agree with you on the 'fundamental' but I do have some caveats:
In the US now some State and Federal agencies are now requiring (or making it so hard that you really can't do it any other way) you to do certain things online (like apply for unemployment, contact people for services, etc.)

In these cases I like to think of internet use like the transportation system (flawed analogy but all I got at the moment). Everyone has use of the roads - you pay for it with your taxes. Not everyone has a Ferrari - most people have Chevys, Fords or Toyotas and some people have to make due with the bus or train. There are toll roads in some areas for convenience as well (read: not everyone needs a 100MB pipe when a 1MB connection is more than enough to do what you need to do).

If everyone had reasonable (read: don't have to drive an hour to get to a broadband connection) access like at a public library or public schools (which are often too few, to far or don't offer such services in rural areas) I think we would be set.

That or the government needs to start making it reasonably possible to do stuff without a computer again. Not being able to get an unemployment agency representative on the phone while waiting on hold for over 8 hours is not a fair solution. Neither is seeing the 3 hour lines in order to use a computer for 1 hour of internet at my local library... it is very disheartening and shows you how many people still have no access at home in this country.

While I am lucky enough to be writing this from the backside of a 15MB pipe - I realize that there are many people who are not as fortunate.]]>Mar 9th 2010 10:05AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
Funny cat pics with captions = basic human right.]]>Mar 9th 2010 10:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
I personally disagree with you. Sure we pay taxes that go towards roads... But the government doesn't give people cars to drive on them. Plus, given the way the current tax system is set up, people in poverty (unable to buy a car) don't pay income taxes towards roads.

If the government is providing services (in your example, unemployment) that requires a computer/internet to sign up for the service, then the government needs to drop that requirement now. Access to the internet is not a right. Period.

Besides, if we start giving people free internet access, where does this stop? Then you'll start arguing that we need to give people free TV access and a free computer.

The way I consider something a 'fundamental right', would be something that you cannot live without--something you are endowed with from a higher power that no human can take from you.

Just my 2 cents...]]>Mar 9th 2010 10:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Mar 9th 2010 11:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
The services provided by the government do not offer you a taxi and a free ride to go down tot he town hall or local agency to apply for such services just like they don't give you a car and just like they can offer services on the Internet and not give you a computer. Most local libraries have Internet Access. If you can't afford Internet ($20/year with dial up if you REALLY need it) and a computer, you likely have other issues.]]>Mar 9th 2010 2:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
for instance E-mail is like regular mail and phones,
and websites are like newspapers and books
and help provide tools like calculators programs etc]]>Mar 9th 2010 5:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
Phones are less so, since you can call 911 from even an inactive cell (everyone should donate old cells for the less fortunate for this reason). If you don't have email, websites or online calculators, you can use regular mail and phones, read newspapers and books, or use a real physical calculator (or abacus! or pencil and paper!). The internet makes doing things more convenient, but it's not even a bare necessity (that which you need to survive), much less fundamental right.]]>Mar 9th 2010 8:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Mar 9th 2010 6:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
Internet access is is NOT a right, its a privilege to have. Just like Healthcare and insurance. a company doesn't have to give out free insurance. hey are a business.

Internet providers are a business, its not something that is free or should be controlled by the government]]>Mar 10th 2010 10:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Mar 9th 2010 6:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Pssst. I think Engadget put that on the screen as a joke.]]>Mar 9th 2010 7:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
either that or they got hacked by 4chan]]>Mar 9th 2010 1:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Mar 9th 2010 6:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Mar 9th 2010 7:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Mar 9th 2010 7:02AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/You are right, the government provides NOTHING for free. Somewhere someone is paying for it... us.]]>Mar 9th 2010 10:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
If it's the other option I don't see how it's a fundamental right, I pay for the internet, it's not free, if it were free there would likely be regulations and limitations on it. ]]>Mar 9th 2010 7:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Simply put you need to have access to internet. Example Finland was the first country to have internet access as a right. By 2011 every finn needs to have access over 1mb internet.]]>Mar 9th 2010 7:10AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/I'm sorry, but you're not being simple minded enough to participate in this level of social information gathering and analysis. This is a quasi-I-want-my-MTV poll. If you want to think about stuff, you'll have to go elsewhere.]]>Mar 9th 2010 7:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Mar 9th 2010 11:13AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Mar 9th 2010 7:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
This one hopes, the question was nebulous to a point people confused it with freedom to use the internet, and not a mandate of access for all.

The latter's muddled logic would mean all commodities/services would become a right. No yacht left behind.]]>Mar 9th 2010 7:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Confirmed: all babies will be implanted with an ethernet port starting 2011.]]>Mar 9th 2010 7:34AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/Mar 9th 2010 7:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
People dont understand the difference between an inalienable right and something that reeeeeeeealy want.]]>Mar 9th 2010 7:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/09/79-percent-of-adults-believe-web-access-is-a-fundamental-right/
You have to crawl (wired) before you can walk (wireless)]]>Mar 9th 2010 1:49PM