crazy that discussing a single issue leads to discussing americas overall greatness before solving that single issue. may it not be touched because america is so great? i think america is great enough to take this critical discussion.
just for info, i am not american but german, but i view americans basically as an ally in politics, culture and values, even though its getting harder with trump. he is doing the exact opposite of everything i learned and understood during my M.A. studies with focus on political theory and ethics (including a lot of groundbreaking american authors i might add, like rawls). the freedom that many americans claim their country stands for is obviously a desirable (along with security the most important) value in a political community. but then, every individual freedom may only be exercised so far that it does not harm the same freedom of any other person. this is a hard line to draw, but leads us to the topic:
corporations want freedom to design their business as desired, but in this case that affects an area that has become a core element of todays society regarding freedom of information, communication and as here, gaming, your hobby or even what brought you in some money - call the internet a "public good".
deeper political discussion aside, for gaming this could mean:
- internet providers make exclusive deals with gaming companies - capcom online play is better from the new york provider, NRS's in Chigago. Or if its not that, PSN works better in new york, XBL in Chicago
- deals like that might also influence the accessibility of critical websites for reviews.
- indie gaming might recede because you dont get to see anything but the big companies advertisement
- rich people get better online than poor because they can afford a better plan by their provider (it already is like that now but may be pushed further) - paying to win to the extreme. even if i follow
@EMPEROR_KNICKS instructions to become a member of the middle class (which i dont, and forgive my cynism), what about the kids of poor people who are not responsible for the house income, will they not be able to play what they want, maybe even with RL friends?
my point is, regulation always sounds like something that takes away freedom, but in case of regulation of internet providers, it takes away some freedom from them, to secure the freedom of everyone else in a matter that concerns a public good, without which society could not exist anymore today (because remember, "everyone is born equal)". the excercise of their freedom of business design would harm way more essential freedoms of others and so has to stand back in this case. gaming is just a side thing in this whole topic, but as you see the consequences for everyones hobby could be serious.
