“The Internet is the repository of all human knowledge — and goats singing Taylor Swift songs,” said John Oliver on Last Week Tonight, rejoicing in the fact that the Internet is an incredible place. However, according to Oliver, that is threatened by the Trump administration’s decision to roll back protections for net neutrality.
If you don’t recall the fifth-ever episode of Last Week Tonight , where Oliver also discussed net neutrality, it is the idea that Internet service providers (ISPs) cannot limit, slow down access to, or otherwise manipulate the choices that consumers make online by slowing down access to less popular sites. In short, they have to treat all websites as equal. For instance, Ancestry.com and Oliver’s new website, JustTellMeIfImRelatedToANazi.com (which, by the way, directs to the Federal Communications Commission's site). In short, net neutrality makes the Internet a level playing field. However the Trump administration has decided to roll back Obama-era rules safeguarding net neutrality, which doesn’t surprise Oliver, who also wouldn’t be surprised if “ Trump purposefully killed every turkey that Obama ever pardoned.”
The person leading the charge to roll back net neutrality is President Trump’s new FCC Chair, Ajit Pai, a former lawyer for Verizon . According to Oliver, Pai has reportedly suggested that ISPs could simply promise not to obstruct or slow consumer access to websites in their terms of services (those long technical rules that no one reads), and as Oliver notes, “That would make net neutrality as binding as a proposal on The Bachelor. ”
Net neutrality could be protected by an act of Congress, but Oliver does not trust this Congress or any Congress to handle such a complex and technical issue. Instead, Oliver believes that anyone who loves the Internet needs to speak up and make sure the FCC knows that net neutrality is important. To make that easy, Oliver bought the website GoFCCYourself.com which leads directly to the FCC’s public comment area.
Internet commenters: Visit https://t.co/7BXwaar6k3 and urge the FCC to keep strong net neutrality rules backed by Title II. - Last Week Tonight (@LastWeekTonight) May 8, 2017
Oliver encourages everyone from every Internet subculture, every Internet time waster, YouTube celebrities, every Yelp reviewer, people who tweet rude things to the Pope, congratulate Beyoncé on her pregnancy, or take the time to write very involved memes on Facebook. Oliver wants them to all come together, get involved, and save net neutrality .
#LastWeekTonight has already crashed the FCC site. Well done @iamjohnoliver well done indeed sir. I'll keep trying until I get through :-). pic.twitter.com/QJBkZTzHwa - Britton Dowers (@NerdyGeek1206) May 8, 2017
In 2014, the FCC's website crashed due to a huge amount of traffic following Oliver's first program on net neutrality. The same appeared to have happened Sunday night, with many people tweeting that the FCC page was down.
Obwalden on May 8th, 2017 at 16:45 UTC »
Fuckkkkk I don't wanna have to save the Internet every few months. I just wanna watch my Japanese cartoons in peace :(
loondawg on May 8th, 2017 at 16:12 UTC »
This may be obvious, but it's worth stating anyway. When you get to the site, don't be confused by the title "Restoring Internet Freedom." That is the effort to give ISPs the "freedom" to end net neutrality. If you want to support net neutrality, you need to oppose the listed act.
And given how much harder they seem to be making it submit comments, it's important you be really clear that you support net neutrality and oppose actions that would end it.
LostRapture on May 8th, 2017 at 15:14 UTC »
People Seriously need to do this!
TL;DW:
Go to: www.gofccyourself.com
Alternate Link to form: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/proceedings?q=name:((17-108))
Should say: 17-108 Restoring Internet Freedom Aleta.Bowers Apr 26, 2017 Wireline Competition Bureau
Site is slow to respond, hit +Express and wait as long as it takes, it will go through.
PRIOR TO FILLING OUT THE FORM:
Make sure to click the STATE dropdown and make sure it works, if it's blank and you cannot choose your state, refresh the page.
This form is NOT for just the US:
Tick the International checkbox under "Address" and the State, City, and Zip code fields will disappear.
How to fill out the form:
Proceeding(s): 17-108 Restoring Internet Freedom
Name(s) of Filer(s): Your Name (hit Enter after)
Primary Contact Email: Your Email
Address: Your address is required
Address 2: Optional
City: Your City
State: Your State
Zip: Your Zip Code
Brief Comments: I am in support of Strong Net Neutrality backed by Title II oversight of ISPs! Make it clear you are Opposed to Docket No. 17-108!
Email confirmation box is optional as pointed out by u/AttackPug receiving confirmation emails maybe slowing down the site.
Review the details and click Submit
Edit: Typo. (Thank you /u/TheOneWhoReadsStuff)
Edit 2: Added Information, to clear it up a bit. (BIG Thank you /u/BF1shY)
Edit 3: To do with Edit 1. (Thank you /u/Romulet)
Edit 4: Wow Thank you "Anonymous Redditor" for the Gold!
Edit 5: Typo. (Thank you /u/Firefoxx336)
Edit 6: Consider donating to the EFF https://www.eff.org/
A nonprofit defending digital privacy, free speech, and innovation.Edit 7: Added Make it clear your Opposed to Docket No. 17-108 (Thank you /u/loondawg)