Why the free and public internet matters: Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

From the Antikythera mechanism to the Dead Sea Scrolls, it takes only a passing knowledge of history to realize that ideas=power, and the powerful often try to destroy or suppress ideas.  From the original discovery of pi to the glassmaking secrets of ancient Rome, we have historical proof that time and again, knowledge is destroyed or sharply restricted by the ruling elite.

Only the invention of moveable type allowed the 'common man' to rise out of the ashes of the Dark Ages, because in the centuries prior to Gutenberg's bible the printed word and the thoughts that could be transmitted in books were held hostage by Kings and Popes.

This infographic tells only part of the story.  "Read it and weep" is a trite phrase, but it applies here.  Click on the underlined link to see full size:

CLICK HERE:  INFOGRAPHIC: Information Destruction through History

Now we watch in horror as corporation after corporation tries to pry open the gates and destroy the free and open internet.  From hundreds of millions of DMCA takedown notices without trial or appeal to the most recent assault called 'Pay for Play', the rich corporations and wealthy individuals who run this world are fighting and fighting hard to burn the library and shutter the doors.

People talk about Genghis Khan, Hitler's holocaust or the blood-drenched streets of the Inquisition as mankind's darkest hours.  I disagree.  It is my belief that the darkest hour in human history was the burning of the great library in Alexadria 40 years before the birth of Christ.

Will future generations ask, "Why did they not act?" (To protect the free, open and fair internet).

Please click here to contact Tom Wheeler, the current head of the Federal Communications Commission and ask him - does he really want to be the name associated with the destruction of the free and open internet?

I'm fairly confident that no human being wants that to be their legacy - the problem is that corporations are soulless beasts who give not a damn for human needs or cultural heritage.