FCC weakens net neutrality rule in a prelude to larger rollbacks
Undersandly, the conversation in here revolves around the technicalities and semantics of net neutrality. But this isn&#x27;t an issue of technology. It&#x27;s a political issue, or worse, an ideological issue. It&#x27;s not about the empirical truths of net neutrality, or the collective intent of those who created, and those who continue to develop the technology that has woven itself into the fabric of humanity. It&#x27;s about idealouges imposing their ideals on every facet of our lives, regardless of the facts.<p>The sad fact is, this is yet another grim attack on net neutrality by nefarious agents who see the web as something to be dominated and bent to their will exclusivley for political and economic gain.<p>Like it or not, the work we do is going to become highly politicised. Are we ready for this? Do we have the moral fortitude to resist the influence that fuzzy, sloppy, and emotive politics seeks to have on our discussions?<p>I think back to how we handled the Brendan Eich debacle. I (regretfully) came down on the punitive side of that argument. And I participated in that debate with a level of anger and vitriol that embarrasses me now. But whichever side you took, there&#x27;s no doubt that for a brief moment we were deeply divided. The Brendan Eich story was a flash in the pan compared to what is about to happen.<p>Should we engage in political debate, or should we avoid it? Can we buck the trend and participate in political debate in way that doesn&#x27;t tear us apart, or should we ignore it as it happens around us and impacts upon our lives and work? Or is there a path between the extremes, where we can be neither ignorant to our political leanings nor beholden to them?<p>I don&#x27;t dare offer any advice on how we should prepare ourselves for what is about to come, I just hope we can all think about how we hope to respond before it happens.<p>One thing I will say though, being someone prone to highly emotional reactions in all aspects of my life; developing software in teams has taught me the value of &quot;strong opinions, weakly held&quot;.