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Self-Reflection

Nate Gdowski

Writing 121

4/17/18

Self-Reflection

           I didn’t have high hopes about Writing 121 going into the semester. I had heard there were several projects in place of papers, and that participation in the Celebration of Student Writing (CSW) was mandatory. That being said, I really enjoyed my time in this class. I enjoyed the overall structure of the class, there was a good balance of both papers and projects, some classes are strictly one or the other which can become boring quite quickly. I’m not one for creating projects and presentations, that’s not to say I’m not creative, just that I don’t have the ability to physically create an ascetically pleasing project. This did create some problems when attempting to create a quality project or the CSW, but I put in the work and was able to create a project I could be proud of. My writing has definitely improved since the beginning of the semester, but more importantly, my ability to research has improved. The research paper in this class was the first one I’ve has to write since my Freshman year of high school; however, I’m positive this one won’t be the last research paper I write in college which makes me extremely grateful that I was able to gain some experience when looking for and determining the quality of sources. This class also allowed me to better manage my time, first semester I found it difficult to plan out projects and often found myself scrambling the night before they were due, but this semester, especially with the research paper, I was able to plan and make checkpoints periodically to ensure I would finish the project on time without feeling rushed . If I could have done anything differently I would’ve tried to pick a different research topic. I chose net neutrality without doing enough research and half way through my essay I realized how boring the topic was, it’s definitely more difficult to be passionate about something that bores you. My overall experience in this class was positive, I enjoyed the atmosphere and the day to day work that came along with it. It even encouraged me to take another English/Writing class next semester, I really look forward to seeing how the experiences I gained from this class further influence my college experience, and hope my future classes match the caliber of expectations I will set based on my involvement in Writing 121.

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CSW

Nate Gdowski

Writing 121

4/5/2018          

CSW Essay

           In preparation for the Celebration of Student Writing (CSW) I transformed a research paper regarding the net neutrality controversy into the class theme of mini/board games. I chose to create net neutrality monopoly, this idea was already taken by Tori Brown, but we decided to work together. Net neutrality is a danger to consumers, it threatens to obstruct the way so many lead their lives, so we decided that players could not win the game, we even added the possibility that the participants would be unable to make a full rotation around the board. We did this to highlight the fact that while internet service providers or (ISPS) are making money, the average consumer will be unable to gain access to many of the sites they use religiously. When creating the monopoly, we considered how best to create an unwinnable game, we decided that every player must chose an ISP, AT&T, Xfinity, etc. before starting the game, the ISPs would replace the bank and every time someone landed on a square they would pay the ISP. We replaced all the properties with popular websites and apps such as, Twitter, Snapchat, Netflix, etc. Every time a player lands on a square they must pay their ISP to gain the right to use the site; however, using this method we realized it would be difficult to determine who held a monopoly over the players of the ISPs were instead the bank, so we decided to make ISPs other players who would begin the game with the majority of the cash and nearly all the properties monopolized. Next, we had to create game pieces, we attempted to simply use the game pieces that are included in a basic monopoly game; however, the only piece that fit our topic was the money bag, so we decided to create our own pieces. We created four options for the players: the money bag, a mouse cursor, a WI-FI symbol, and the AT&T logo. We decided to keep the free parking spot, and even had a few more so its possible, even if just barely, for the player to make it around; however, even if they do make it around they must pay their service provider a fee of $300 which represents the monthly cost for a basic internet plan. We kept the utility squares but replaced them with repairs to internet services rather than water and electricity. We also decided to include an adapted version of Chance and Community Chest cards, for example, we created cards that require an additional $50 to be added to the monthly fee, another card we created was a seven-day free trial, allowing the player to gai access to the next site (property) they land on for free. The overall production of the project was a success, the final project is quality, and is ready to be presented at the Celebration of Student Writing.

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Net Neutrality Paper

Nate Gdowski

Professor Hallenbeck  

WRTG 121 (23616)

3/6/18

                                                   Net Neutrality 

           “The promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the Internet” (United Nations). As of 2011 The United Nations (U.N.) has declared access to the internet a basic human right. The Federal Communications Commission’s decision to repeal net neutrality assures the violation of this right and many others. Net neutrality[NG1]  is an issue that affects people worldwide, most significantly in The United States. Net neutrality concerns nearly every United States citizen, because its implications have the potential to change the world has we know it. Net neutrality is the concept that Internet and service providers must provide equal access to all sites without charging customers for premium access. Net neutrality in the U.S. was established in 2015 by the Obama Administration. The administration passed the “Open Internet Order” forcing government regulations on Internet service providers (ISPS). This order established guidelines for ISPS, who are in some cases the largest private businesses in the country, the intervention of the government in these businesses raises the question, does the government have the right to control a service necessary to and utilized by millions? As of 2017 the Federal Communications Commission decided that the government could not interfere with ISPS and repealed Net Neutrality.  Action should be taken to re-establish net neutrality because, the economic, civil rights, and academic implications could be severe.

           One of the influential arguments for the re-instatement of net neutrality comes from economists. Many economic experts believe that small business will be unable to provide their customers and clients with sufficient Internet services, this has the potential to negatively affected the United States Economy. For example, “As a small business owner, a user having a bad experience on your site can be a literal nightmare. It gives customers a bad impression of the brand in general and discourages continued browsing, which can hurt sales and customer retention” (Odegardv, J). This quote highlights the importance of the Internet for growing and sustaining small businesses, without it many startups will be un able to take off. Regulated internet is also necessary to small businesses because it allows them to compete with larger businesses, without the tools provided by the internet many small businesses would be unable to compete with larger corporations. Without small businesses the American economy will deteriorate, the effects of small businesses on the economy are overwhelming. There are more than twenty-seven million small businesses in this country, and they generate about 50 percent of our gross domestic product (GDP) (Office of Advocacy, 2010). The internet fuels a competition that simply cannot exist with net neutrality, and without the competition the American economy will fail. Bottom line, small businesses will suffer without net neutrality. If net neutrality is not reestablished it will encourage further consolidation. Internet service providers will now be incentivized to purchase companies who produce content, for example, AT&T recently attempted to purchase Warner Bros. however, the sale was blocked by the Trump Administration (C. Borchers). For fear that there would be too much power in the hands of too few. Net neutrality helps prevent the formations of monopolies, who could dominate the market and limit the freedom of choice for consumers. If government does not intervene with the unfortunate decision to repeal net neutrality, the U.S. economy will suffer catastrophic consequences.

Perhaps the most convincing argument in favor of net neutrality is its effectiveness at protecting the first amendment; specifically, the freedom of speech. Over the last decade the internet has quickly become the largest and most accessible platform for free speech, utilized by individuals all over the world the internet has become a place of information and opinions, placing nearly every possible point of view and argument for any situation at your finger-tips, the internet also attracts more users and viewers than any other form of media,

 “Facebook alone has more than 1.79 billion monthly active users around the world. Twitter has over 310 million monthly active users who publish more than 500 million tweets each day. Instagram has over 600 million monthly users who upload over 95 million photos every day. Snapchat has over 100 million daily users who send and watch over 10 billion videos per day. And that’s just a small sampling of the commercial Internet platforms many of us use every day”         (C. McSherry).  

The internet is a crucial outlet for free speech, it attracts the largest population of any other sources of media. A free and open internet has allowed for an explosion of social justice movements. Movements such as: Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ, and #MeToo could not exist without net neutrality (J. Perri). By charging premium prices for websites such as Twitter and Facebook internet service providers would inadvertently be restricting the platforms that many citizens use to express themselves and exercise their freedom of speech, restricting these platforms voids the first amendment. This suggests that the government has every right to interfere with ISPS in order to maintain the integrity of the constitution[NG2] . The government must reenact net neutrality because it is necessary in order to protect the freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment of The United States Constitution.  

The repeal of net neutrality will have adverse effects on consumers, with the recent repeal consumers are more vulnerable to price increases than ever, and with no promises from internet service providers to treat internet traffic equally millions of people are now at risk of falling prey to ISPs. The internet has become so embedded in society that in 2011 The United Nations (U.N) declared access to it a basic human right (T. Sandle). The decision passed by the FCC to repeal net neutrality threatens to deny this right from many people, including many United States citizens. “There are 69 million people in the United States living without home-based internet services…a study shows that most people go without home broadband because they simply can’t afford it” (C. Scurato). Repealing net neutrality intentionally creates an additional barrier baring lower class citizens access to a basic human right. The FCC’s blatant disregard for the right is uncalled for and unnecessary, the government must make steps to allow access to the internet rather than take it away.

Another argument supporting net neutrality presents itself in the academic community. Many officials in school districts across the nation fear that student’s resources will be restricted, creating another obstacle when striving for an education. The official’s fears are reasonable, students should not be charged in order to gain access to websites necessary when completing homework, and the already under-funded school systems cannot afford to provide these websites for the students. (Chronicle of Higher Education). Repealing net neutrality has more than just social implications for teens; with fast lanes and premium sites many resources available to students are no longer a practical option, disrupting student’s education will have future repercussions. The repeal of net neutrality will do more than limit student’s resources, it also has the potential to put learning back in the dark ages. Many students learn from a distance, with videoconferencing, online lectures, and other experimental forms of online learning (K. Finley). By repealing net neutrality, the FCC has pushed a previously progressive education system back nearly a decade, threatening to destroy new-age learning techniques. If net neutrality is not reestablished the education, and in turn the future of The United States is in jeopardy[NG3] [NG4] , the government is responsible for the restoration of net neutrality in order to protect the future of the country.  

Net neutrality is unique in that it is responsible for progression in multiple fields, from economics to education net neutrality has had some effect on many innovations in the 21st century. Although neutrality was only established in 2015, nobody can argue that it’s affects have not been profound, it allowed for an explosive era of growth for small businesses, it enabled the expansion of the freedom of speech, and for the creation of nearly every current social justice movement, all while protecting what has been firmly established as a basic human right. The FCC’s decision to repeal net neutrality was a poor one. Although the effects of the repeal are yet to be revealed, many fear the results will be catastrophic. It is the government’s responsibility to ensure the growth and prosperity of the nation, the best way to do this is to reinstate a policy focused on net neutrality. The past several years have proven that an open and unrestricted internet is necessary for innovation and progress.

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Net Neutrality Proposal

Nate Gdowski

Professor Hallenbeck

WRTG 121 (23616)

1/23/2018

Net Neutrality Proposal

           I️ have chosen net neutrality as my research topic. I️ chose this topic for several reasons, firstly, it’s a subject of controversy that has the potential to affect nearly every internet user in The United States. Secondly, I’ve always been fascinated by the complicated relationship between our government and our economy; specifically, where the government is allowed to step in and regulate free markets without over. For example, The Obama Administration passed the “Open Internet Order” in 2015 which established net neutrality in the U.S. forcing regulations on internet service providers (ISPS). Net neutrality is the concept that internet and service providers must provide equal access to all sites without charging customers for premium access. The Security Exchange Commission (SEC) recently repealed net neutrality, effectively abolishing the protocols put in place to protect consumers from being over charged for internet services. Many Americans are up in arms by the decision to repeal net neutrality, stating that access to internet without costly fast lanes is necessary in a digital age where nearly everything is online. The questions facing millions of Americans are: Does the government have a responsibility to control a service necessary to and utilized by millions? And will they do anything if internet providers decide to take advantage of the reduced regulations? Net neutrality has been a hot-topic issue for several months, and due to the attention, it has attracted there have been tens of thousands of articles published this year; unfortunately, many of these articles were produced by less than reliable sources; however, because this is a government issue there are many official documents and articles that can be used in an official research capacity. Net neutrality is a pressing issue that continues to threaten internet access for nearly every American.