Everyone! Important information!
I’ve been hard at work this morning to spread the news about net neutrality. In case you don’t know what net neutrality is, let me fill you in.
Imagine a world in which the government can limit what you can and can’t access on the internet. Imagine a world in which you must pay individually for internet access, the device on which you access the internet, access to video, to social media, news, email, etc. Imagine a world in which individual companies such as Verizon and AT&T can charge you whatever they want for this access. Imagine a world in which they determine what you can access.
Sounds pretty bad, right? Thankfully, a little thing called net neutrality prevents this from happening.
Except they’re voting to repeal it on December 14th.
The internet as we know it could disappear, unless we take action now! Email and call your local Senators! Spam them. You can see a list of the three people whose vote we need to change to “no” to prevent this from being repealed by checking out the posts I’ve reblogged or by searching net neutrality here on Tumblr.
I encourage you to come up with your own reasons for why net neutrality should not be replaced. They have released statements implying they will only consider emails and calls with new information or perspectives.
Please guys. If you like your fandoms, please please please email the heck out of your representatives.
Also note: Tumblr.com is owned by Yahoo which is owned by Verizon. Verizon is one of the biggest supporters of the repeal of Net Neutrality.
This means Tumblr is actively working to prevent the spread of posts like this. It is un-following people from the net neutrality tag. It is deleting posts.
If you’re not sure what to send, here’s the email I sent Mike O'Rielly.
DO NOT COPY THIS EMAIL. THEY WILL NOT CONSIDER REPEAT EMAILS.
I am well aware that you are being flooded with emails at this point in time, but I’d like you to take a short moment to consider mine. Sir, this is about more than money. This about people’s lives. The internet provides access to suicide, abuse, trauma, and victim resources for hundreds of thousands of people. Many of them would lose these resources due to financial reasons if net neutrality were to be repealed. Sir, your vote of no on December 14th can save the victims, the hurt, the wounded, the sorrowful, the discriminated, and all those who draw upon online resources and communities to keep going. I personally know that many online resources such as Calm.com and 7 Cups of Tea have kept me from hurting myself both physically and emotionally on numerous occasions. I have many friends who have found solace in online communities on websites like Tumblr.com. For some of them, said communities prevented their suicide. But I can speak for each and every one of us and say that we would not be able to afford access to these sites if net neutrality was repealed.
I would also like to bring to your attention the suffering of self-employed social media content creators and small businesses. Social media platforms such as YouTube and Instagram have become a livelihood for many young people. Their paychecks are determined by the amount of views they received and followers they have, either directly or indirectly. If net neutrality was repealed, their online traffic would surely decline. The entire business they had created could very easily cease to exist, leaving them in the dust with no money to pay the bills. Once again, Mr. O'Rielly, people’s lives are in your hand. Are you willing to take the risk of leaving these young people destitute? Some small businesses also require the Internet to thrive. Take sites like Etsy.com for example. Many people will craft handmade goods and sell them online on this website and other sites like it. Once again, people can only buy these goods if they can access them.
Mr. Mike O'Rielly, I beg of you. Vote no. Keep net neutrality. These are just two examples of many reasons why the free internet is imperative to our modern world. I give you my fullest respect, but know that if you vote yes and net neutrality is repealed, I will hold you personally responsible for the effects. It’s in your hands Mr. O'Rielly. Nobody is going to make this decision for you. Consider the millions of people sending in emails and making phone calls. Consider the effects of repealing net neutrality. Consider all of this, and then make your decision.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
Fight for Net Neutrality!!!!!
