Should the Internet be considered a utility? America practically lives through its devices—our smartphones, iPads, laptops, and tablets feel as crucial as indoor plumbing or electricity. It’s revolutionized the way we live our lives. We can hang out with our friends from the comfort of our laptop. Enjoy porn without having to skulk past the judging eyes of a cashier. We feel vulnerable when we’ve been cut off. The Internet is, at present, an extension of ourselves.
According to a broadband connection study published by the New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute, Americans are already paying higher prices for lackluster Internet service when compared to international ISPs. We’re getting the short end of the stick here already. The absence of an open Internet could make this even worse, forcing us to revert back to the dial-up days—you know, when geeks would have to wait minutes to see a picture of a naked woman gradually reveal itself onscreen. The horror, the horror.
A two-tier system has been proposed, essentially creating a fast lane and a slow lane. Internet service providers will have the opportunity to offer paid prioritization. It’s like slipping the maître d’ a hundred for the corner table with a view. Not everyone can afford to do this, and certainly only a few can do it consistently. Adult entertainment sites simply can’t afford to be left out. No one wants to wait for porn to load. You’re almost there and then—buffering. Moment ruined. This means that porn sites will have to find a way to be in the fast lane, whatever the cost. Changes like this pose a huge threat to the adult entertainment industry—an industry that eats up a ton of bandwidth.