Tyler Harwood

Please protect our freedom

As an artist and producer of new media the internet has been an essential tool in the development and distribution of new ideas. Never before has an individual had such a fantastic opportunity for personal expression. This has the beneficial side effect of the public pushing technology ahead and developing new ideas and tools, instead of a few private companies trying to guess what consumers want and need, and in turn limiting our potential.

How would you feel if the phone company decided your telephone calls were not as important as your neighbors, and provided you with a noisy, unstable connection while your neighbor enjoyed crystal clear conversations? Wouldn't that make you feel cheated? That seems like it could never happen, but the plan set forth by the telephone and cable companies to choose which material can tap into the full potential of the internet is just that. Or how about a painter who can only use dull colors because the store refuses to sell them bright ones? Or a pen that only lets you write very slowly? Wouldn't it be better for these businesses to provide the best service possible, giving the consumer a reason to feel good about the service they are receiving?

Part of what makes our country great is our free market, free speech, and free ideas. We've been leaders in innovation because of these freedoms. Please don't let the short term interests of large corporations take these freedoms from the people you represent.