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The U.S. Falling Behind In Broadband?
prostoalex writes "Michael J. Copps of the FCC has published a column in the Washington Post describing the United States' Internet disconnect as far as broadband: 'The United States is 15th in the world in broadband penetration, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). When the ITU measured a broader digital opportunity index (considering price and other factors) we were 21st — right after Estonia. Asian and European customers get home connections of 25 to 100 megabits per second (fast enough to stream high-definition video). Here, we pay almost twice as much for connections that are one-twentieth the speed.' To be fair in comparison, USA is 2nd in the world as far as number of broadband lines installed."
This is such BS. Who cares if the US is 180th in the world in broadband adoption? It's as if broadband adoption is some kind of bellwether for thought leadership or cultural hegemony.
What is broadband good for? Porn, Youtube videos, on-demand porn, downloading copyright music and movies via bittorrent, gaming and porn. Did I happen to mention porn?
In a matter of minutes on a mere 56k modem, you can download more historic literary works, scientific discourse, political bills, candidate voting records and world news than you can possibly ever read through in a month. Aside from the convenience of serving our 'gotta have it now' sensibilities, what tangible benefit is it that 'broadband to every home' really delivers, other than a medium through which the latest pop culture crap can be shoved down our throats?