Tom Johnson's opinion piece in Santa Fe NewMexican

[Stephen Guerin]

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/my_view/are-politicians-foreclosing-on-high-tech-future/article_6813cb82-5952-5926-82c9-725ef0a0aecc.html

Are politicians foreclosing on high-tech future

Tom Johnson | 0 comments

It is sad, frustrating and discouraging to read something written by politicians that demonstrates they apparently have not done appropriate research before making public declarations.

This is especially so when such an elected official is in a position of specific legislative influence.

That happened last week when Rep. James Smith of District 22, chairman of the interim Science, Technology and Telecom Committee in the New Mexico House, wrote about telecommunications policy (“Could the FCC foreclose on high-tech future,” My View, June 6).

Addressing the Federal Communications Commission’s regulation of the Internet, Smith wrote, “light regulation … gave Internet providers freedom to innovate with new services and new infrastructure … .” Further, “this move … has fueled the dramatic expansion of Internet technology in America.

“This symbiotic relationship between minimal regulation and maximum investment and innovation continues,” he said.

First, remember that the initial Internet concepts and technologies were developed with taxpayer research dollars, not private enterprise investment. Second, the “new services” are coming not from the digital providers, but from clever individuals and talented startup teams that could possibly do even more if they had access to true broadband at affordable prices.

Third, research year after year indicates that U.S. citizens are paying higher prices for slower connectivity. As the Open Technology Institute reports: “Data that we have collected in the past three years demonstrates that the majority of U.S. cities surveyed lag behind their international peers, paying more money for slower Internet access.” (See http://bit.ly/1FJL1vB and http://bit.ly/1MAlYRa)

Companies providing Internet connectivity — and we really only have three in Santa Fe, and none providing true high-speed, fiber-optic connections — all seek to minimize their costs and maximize their revenue. That’s inherent in capitalism. For customers, that means minimal connectivity, slow speeds and high monthly bills.

Appropriate “regulation” of the Internet would seek collaborative government/private enterprise endeavors with the goal of maximizing customer benefits (i.e. fiber to the home with maximum digital up and down speeds) at minimal cost. Such would be the feedstock for economic, social, educational, health and governmental progress in the digital era.

The high-speed, digital train is rapidly leaving stations around the world. New Mexico needs political conductors and engineers capable of running that train with informed knowledge, insight and vision.

Tom Johnson is co-founder of the Institute for Analytic Journalism in Santa Fe.

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
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[Marcus G. Daniels]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/magazine/what-silicon-valley-can-learn-from-seoul.html

 

“Much of this was made possible by two decades of enormous public investment. “

 

From: Friam [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Stephen Guerin
Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2015 9:12 AM
To: [hidden email]; Wedtech@Redfish. Com
Subject: [FRIAM] Tom Johnson's opinion piece in Santa Fe NewMexican

 

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/my_view/are-politicians-foreclosing-on-high-tech-future/article_6813cb82-5952-5926-82c9-725ef0a0aecc.html

Are politicians foreclosing on high-tech future

Tom Johnson | 0 comments

It is sad, frustrating and discouraging to read something written by politicians that demonstrates they apparently have not done appropriate research before making public declarations.

This is especially so when such an elected official is in a position of specific legislative influence.

That happened last week when Rep. James Smith of District 22, chairman of the interim Science, Technology and Telecom Committee in the New Mexico House, wrote about telecommunications policy (“Could the FCC foreclose on high-tech future,” My View, June 6).

Addressing the Federal Communications Commission’s regulation of the Internet, Smith wrote, “light regulation … gave Internet providers freedom to innovate with new services and new infrastructure … .” Further, “this move … has fueled the dramatic expansion of Internet technology in America.

“This symbiotic relationship between minimal regulation and maximum investment and innovation continues,” he said.

First, remember that the initial Internet concepts and technologies were developed with taxpayer research dollars, not private enterprise investment. Second, the “new services” are coming not from the digital providers, but from clever individuals and talented startup teams that could possibly do even more if they had access to true broadband at affordable prices.

Third, research year after year indicates that U.S. citizens are paying higher prices for slower connectivity. As the Open Technology Institute reports: “Data that we have collected in the past three years demonstrates that the majority of U.S. cities surveyed lag behind their international peers, paying more money for slower Internet access.” (See http://bit.ly/1FJL1vB and http://bit.ly/1MAlYRa)

Companies providing Internet connectivity — and we really only have three in Santa Fe, and none providing true high-speed, fiber-optic connections — all seek to minimize their costs and maximize their revenue. That’s inherent in capitalism. For customers, that means minimal connectivity, slow speeds and high monthly bills.

Appropriate “regulation” of the Internet would seek collaborative government/private enterprise endeavors with the goal of maximizing customer benefits (i.e. fiber to the home with maximum digital up and down speeds) at minimal cost. Such would be the feedstock for economic, social, educational, health and governmental progress in the digital era.

The high-speed, digital train is rapidly leaving stations around the world. New Mexico needs political conductors and engineers capable of running that train with informed knowledge, insight and vision.

Tom Johnson is co-founder of the Institute for Analytic Journalism in Santa Fe.

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
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[Tom Johnson]

Thanks, Marcus.  I wanted to include that link, but for various good reasons, it didn't get in. 
Tom

===================================
Tom Johnson - Inst. for Analytic Journalism
Santa Fe, NM
SPJ Region 9 Director
[hidden email]               505-473-9646
===================================

On Jun 13, 2015 8:42 AM, "Marcus Daniels" <[hidden email]> wrote:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/magazine/what-silicon-valley-can-learn-from-seoul.html

 

“Much of this was made possible by two decades of enormous public investment. “

 

From: Friam [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Stephen Guerin
Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2015 9:12 AM
To: [hidden email]; Wedtech@Redfish. Com
Subject: [FRIAM] Tom Johnson's opinion piece in Santa Fe NewMexican

 

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/my_view/are-politicians-foreclosing-on-high-tech-future/article_6813cb82-5952-5926-82c9-725ef0a0aecc.html

Are politicians foreclosing on high-tech future

Tom Johnson | 0 comments

It is sad, frustrating and discouraging to read something written by politicians that demonstrates they apparently have not done appropriate research before making public declarations.

This is especially so when such an elected official is in a position of specific legislative influence.

That happened last week when Rep. James Smith of District 22, chairman of the interim Science, Technology and Telecom Committee in the New Mexico House, wrote about telecommunications policy (“Could the FCC foreclose on high-tech future,” My View, June 6).

Addressing the Federal Communications Commission’s regulation of the Internet, Smith wrote, “light regulation … gave Internet providers freedom to innovate with new services and new infrastructure … .” Further, “this move … has fueled the dramatic expansion of Internet technology in America.

“This symbiotic relationship between minimal regulation and maximum investment and innovation continues,” he said.

First, remember that the initial Internet concepts and technologies were developed with taxpayer research dollars, not private enterprise investment. Second, the “new services” are coming not from the digital providers, but from clever individuals and talented startup teams that could possibly do even more if they had access to true broadband at affordable prices.

Third, research year after year indicates that U.S. citizens are paying higher prices for slower connectivity. As the Open Technology Institute reports: “Data that we have collected in the past three years demonstrates that the majority of U.S. cities surveyed lag behind their international peers, paying more money for slower Internet access.” (See http://bit.ly/1FJL1vB and http://bit.ly/1MAlYRa)

Companies providing Internet connectivity — and we really only have three in Santa Fe, and none providing true high-speed, fiber-optic connections — all seek to minimize their costs and maximize their revenue. That’s inherent in capitalism. For customers, that means minimal connectivity, slow speeds and high monthly bills.

Appropriate “regulation” of the Internet would seek collaborative government/private enterprise endeavors with the goal of maximizing customer benefits (i.e. fiber to the home with maximum digital up and down speeds) at minimal cost. Such would be the feedstock for economic, social, educational, health and governmental progress in the digital era.

The high-speed, digital train is rapidly leaving stations around the world. New Mexico needs political conductors and engineers capable of running that train with informed knowledge, insight and vision.

Tom Johnson is co-founder of the Institute for Analytic Journalism in Santa Fe.

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com

[Pamela McCorduck]

Really good, Tom. I heard Susan Crawford give a talk at Harvard last year where she talked about what people in Copenhagen get for some very low sum per month--$25? It made me squirm with embarrassment, envy, and rage. The City owns the network there.

P.

On Jun 13, 2015, at 10:57 AM, Tom Johnson wrote:

Thanks, Marcus.  I wanted to include that link, but for various good reasons, it didn't get in. 
Tom

===================================
Tom Johnson - Inst. for Analytic Journalism
Santa Fe, NM
SPJ Region 9 Director
[hidden email]               505-473-9646
===================================

On Jun 13, 2015 8:42 AM, "Marcus Daniels" <[hidden email]> wrote:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/magazine/what-silicon-valley-can-learn-from-seoul.html

 

“Much of this was made possible by two decades of enormous public investment. “

 

From: Friam [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Stephen Guerin
Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2015 9:12 AM
To: [hidden email]; Wedtech@Redfish. Com
Subject: [FRIAM] Tom Johnson's opinion piece in Santa Fe NewMexican

 

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/my_view/are-politicians-foreclosing-on-high-tech-future/article_6813cb82-5952-5926-82c9-725ef0a0aecc.html

Are politicians foreclosing on high-tech future

Tom Johnson | 0 comments

It is sad, frustrating and discouraging to read something written by politicians that demonstrates they apparently have not done appropriate research before making public declarations.

This is especially so when such an elected official is in a position of specific legislative influence.

That happened last week when Rep. James Smith of District 22, chairman of the interim Science, Technology and Telecom Committee in the New Mexico House, wrote about telecommunications policy (“Could the FCC foreclose on high-tech future,” My View, June 6).

Addressing the Federal Communications Commission’s regulation of the Internet, Smith wrote, “light regulation … gave Internet providers freedom to innovate with new services and new infrastructure … .” Further, “this move … has fueled the dramatic expansion of Internet technology in America.

“This symbiotic relationship between minimal regulation and maximum investment and innovation continues,” he said.

First, remember that the initial Internet concepts and technologies were developed with taxpayer research dollars, not private enterprise investment. Second, the “new services” are coming not from the digital providers, but from clever individuals and talented startup teams that could possibly do even more if they had access to true broadband at affordable prices.

Third, research year after year indicates that U.S. citizens are paying higher prices for slower connectivity. As the Open Technology Institute reports: “Data that we have collected in the past three years demonstrates that the majority of U.S. cities surveyed lag behind their international peers, paying more money for slower Internet access.” (See http://bit.ly/1FJL1vB and http://bit.ly/1MAlYRa)

Companies providing Internet connectivity — and we really only have three in Santa Fe, and none providing true high-speed, fiber-optic connections — all seek to minimize their costs and maximize their revenue. That’s inherent in capitalism. For customers, that means minimal connectivity, slow speeds and high monthly bills.

Appropriate “regulation” of the Internet would seek collaborative government/private enterprise endeavors with the goal of maximizing customer benefits (i.e. fiber to the home with maximum digital up and down speeds) at minimal cost. Such would be the feedstock for economic, social, educational, health and governmental progress in the digital era.

The high-speed, digital train is rapidly leaving stations around the world. New Mexico needs political conductors and engineers capable of running that train with informed knowledge, insight and vision.

Tom Johnson is co-founder of the Institute for Analytic Journalism in Santa Fe.

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com

"As imperceptibly as Grief

The summer lapsed away--"

Emily Dickinson

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FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
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[Nick Thompson]

Hi Tom,

 

Seeing your name I thought the following:  Massachusetts has recently become aware that it has the least transparent government of any state in the union with agencies charging hundreds of dollars to fulfill FOIA requests for the basic knowledge about policies and practices.  Shall I nominate you as the guy to write our Sunshine Rules?  Do you have any proposed sunshine rules I could send in?

 

N

 

Nicholas S. Thompson

Emeritus Professor of Psychology and Biology

Clark University

http://home.earthlink.net/~nickthompson/naturaldesigns/

 

From: Friam [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Tom Johnson
Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2015 12:57 PM
To: Friam@redfish. com
Subject: Re: [FRIAM] Tom Johnson's opinion piece in Santa Fe NewMexican

 

Thanks, Marcus.  I wanted to include that link, but for various good reasons, it didn't get in. 
Tom

===================================
Tom Johnson - Inst. for Analytic Journalism
Santa Fe, NM
SPJ Region 9 Director
[hidden email]               505-473-9646
===================================

On Jun 13, 2015 8:42 AM, "Marcus Daniels" <[hidden email]> wrote:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/magazine/what-silicon-valley-can-learn-from-seoul.html

 

“Much of this was made possible by two decades of enormous public investment. “

 

From: Friam [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Stephen Guerin
Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2015 9:12 AM
To: [hidden email]; Wedtech@Redfish. Com
Subject: [FRIAM] Tom Johnson's opinion piece in Santa Fe NewMexican

 

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/my_view/are-politicians-foreclosing-on-high-tech-future/article_6813cb82-5952-5926-82c9-725ef0a0aecc.html

Are politicians foreclosing on high-tech future

Tom Johnson | 0 comments

It is sad, frustrating and discouraging to read something written by politicians that demonstrates they apparently have not done appropriate research before making public declarations.

This is especially so when such an elected official is in a position of specific legislative influence.

That happened last week when Rep. James Smith of District 22, chairman of the interim Science, Technology and Telecom Committee in the New Mexico House, wrote about telecommunications policy (“Could the FCC foreclose on high-tech future,” My View, June 6).

Addressing the Federal Communications Commission’s regulation of the Internet, Smith wrote, “light regulation … gave Internet providers freedom to innovate with new services and new infrastructure … .” Further, “this move … has fueled the dramatic expansion of Internet technology in America.

“This symbiotic relationship between minimal regulation and maximum investment and innovation continues,” he said.

First, remember that the initial Internet concepts and technologies were developed with taxpayer research dollars, not private enterprise investment. Second, the “new services” are coming not from the digital providers, but from clever individuals and talented startup teams that could possibly do even more if they had access to true broadband at affordable prices.

Third, research year after year indicates that U.S. citizens are paying higher prices for slower connectivity. As the Open Technology Institute reports: “Data that we have collected in the past three years demonstrates that the majority of U.S. cities surveyed lag behind their international peers, paying more money for slower Internet access.” (See http://bit.ly/1FJL1vB and http://bit.ly/1MAlYRa)

Companies providing Internet connectivity — and we really only have three in Santa Fe, and none providing true high-speed, fiber-optic connections — all seek to minimize their costs and maximize their revenue. That’s inherent in capitalism. For customers, that means minimal connectivity, slow speeds and high monthly bills.

Appropriate “regulation” of the Internet would seek collaborative government/private enterprise endeavors with the goal of maximizing customer benefits (i.e. fiber to the home with maximum digital up and down speeds) at minimal cost. Such would be the feedstock for economic, social, educational, health and governmental progress in the digital era.

The high-speed, digital train is rapidly leaving stations around the world. New Mexico needs political conductors and engineers capable of running that train with informed knowledge, insight and vision.

Tom Johnson is co-founder of the Institute for Analytic Journalism in Santa Fe.

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com

[Tom Johnson]

Nick --

There is a ton of stuff.  Just do a search with the term "open data" and also visit sunlightfoundation.com

I can send more links if you wish.

Tom

===================================
Tom Johnson - Inst. for Analytic Journalism
Santa Fe, NM
SPJ Region 9 Director
[hidden email]               505-473-9646
===================================

On Jun 13, 2015 10:22 PM, "Nick Thompson" <[hidden email]> wrote:

Hi Tom,

 

Seeing your name I thought the following:  Massachusetts has recently become aware that it has the least transparent government of any state in the union with agencies charging hundreds of dollars to fulfill FOIA requests for the basic knowledge about policies and practices.  Shall I nominate you as the guy to write our Sunshine Rules?  Do you have any proposed sunshine rules I could send in?

 

N

 

Nicholas S. Thompson

Emeritus Professor of Psychology and Biology

Clark University

http://home.earthlink.net/~nickthompson/naturaldesigns/

 

From: Friam [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Tom Johnson
Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2015 12:57 PM
To: Friam@redfish. com
Subject: Re: [FRIAM] Tom Johnson's opinion piece in Santa Fe NewMexican

 

Thanks, Marcus.  I wanted to include that link, but for various good reasons, it didn't get in. 
Tom

===================================
Tom Johnson - Inst. for Analytic Journalism
Santa Fe, NM
SPJ Region 9 Director
[hidden email]               <a href="tel:[phone]" value="[phone]" target="_blank">505-473-9646
===================================

On Jun 13, 2015 8:42 AM, "Marcus Daniels" <[hidden email]> wrote:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/magazine/what-silicon-valley-can-learn-from-seoul.html

 

“Much of this was made possible by two decades of enormous public investment. “

 

From: Friam [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Stephen Guerin
Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2015 9:12 AM
To: [hidden email]; Wedtech@Redfish. Com
Subject: [FRIAM] Tom Johnson's opinion piece in Santa Fe NewMexican

 

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/my_view/are-politicians-foreclosing-on-high-tech-future/article_6813cb82-5952-5926-82c9-725ef0a0aecc.html

Are politicians foreclosing on high-tech future

Tom Johnson | 0 comments

It is sad, frustrating and discouraging to read something written by politicians that demonstrates they apparently have not done appropriate research before making public declarations.

This is especially so when such an elected official is in a position of specific legislative influence.

That happened last week when Rep. James Smith of District 22, chairman of the interim Science, Technology and Telecom Committee in the New Mexico House, wrote about telecommunications policy (“Could the FCC foreclose on high-tech future,” My View, June 6).

Addressing the Federal Communications Commission’s regulation of the Internet, Smith wrote, “light regulation … gave Internet providers freedom to innovate with new services and new infrastructure … .” Further, “this move … has fueled the dramatic expansion of Internet technology in America.

“This symbiotic relationship between minimal regulation and maximum investment and innovation continues,” he said.

First, remember that the initial Internet concepts and technologies were developed with taxpayer research dollars, not private enterprise investment. Second, the “new services” are coming not from the digital providers, but from clever individuals and talented startup teams that could possibly do even more if they had access to true broadband at affordable prices.

Third, research year after year indicates that U.S. citizens are paying higher prices for slower connectivity. As the Open Technology Institute reports: “Data that we have collected in the past three years demonstrates that the majority of U.S. cities surveyed lag behind their international peers, paying more money for slower Internet access.” (See http://bit.ly/1FJL1vB and http://bit.ly/1MAlYRa)

Companies providing Internet connectivity — and we really only have three in Santa Fe, and none providing true high-speed, fiber-optic connections — all seek to minimize their costs and maximize their revenue. That’s inherent in capitalism. For customers, that means minimal connectivity, slow speeds and high monthly bills.

Appropriate “regulation” of the Internet would seek collaborative government/private enterprise endeavors with the goal of maximizing customer benefits (i.e. fiber to the home with maximum digital up and down speeds) at minimal cost. Such would be the feedstock for economic, social, educational, health and governmental progress in the digital era.

The high-speed, digital train is rapidly leaving stations around the world. New Mexico needs political conductors and engineers capable of running that train with informed knowledge, insight and vision.

Tom Johnson is co-founder of the Institute for Analytic Journalism in Santa Fe.

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
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[Gillian Densmore]

I have to agre with you Tom.

I may be showing my (chronological) age I can vaguely recall sitting with The Other Densmore sitting infront of a Big Beige box and a little black box with green and red RunWay lights

We called it Darpanet because CableCo-op of Palo Alto was still putting in the copper for our neighborhood. In the meen time Apple had let him telecomute ocassionally using a ISDN line somehow to what became Apple. I don't know how long it was from that to him being official at Sun.

One day when I asked how the (then) DarpaNet work he sighed yet looked wonderfully excited and on a whiteboard in the kitchen made little siquigly lines

and said the company (Sun) he works out now is making that but it started with these other squigly lines.

I mention this because in the 80s and 90s the reason why private ISPs florished bosting how there 56.6k Modems etc were teh awesome was because of government checks and balances. Those ISPs were basically payed by the feds IIRC to HELP provide service in areas the Feds hadn't gotten to yet, not to replace what became the Internet.

I'm starting to suspect the quality of internet the US gets compared to other countries is one piece to a larger set of problems.

On Sat, Jun 13, 2015 at 11:31 PM, Tom Johnson <[hidden email]> wrote:

Nick --

There is a ton of stuff.  Just do a search with the term "open data" and also visit sunlightfoundation.com

I can send more links if you wish.

Tom

===================================
Tom Johnson - Inst. for Analytic Journalism
Santa Fe, NM
SPJ Region 9 Director
[hidden email]               <a href="tel:[phone]" value="[phone]" target="_blank">505-473-9646
===================================

On Jun 13, 2015 10:22 PM, "Nick Thompson" <[hidden email]> wrote:

Hi Tom,

 

Seeing your name I thought the following:  Massachusetts has recently become aware that it has the least transparent government of any state in the union with agencies charging hundreds of dollars to fulfill FOIA requests for the basic knowledge about policies and practices.  Shall I nominate you as the guy to write our Sunshine Rules?  Do you have any proposed sunshine rules I could send in?

 

N

 

Nicholas S. Thompson

Emeritus Professor of Psychology and Biology

Clark University

http://home.earthlink.net/~nickthompson/naturaldesigns/

 

From: Friam [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Tom Johnson
Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2015 12:57 PM
To: Friam@redfish. com
Subject: Re: [FRIAM] Tom Johnson's opinion piece in Santa Fe NewMexican

 

Thanks, Marcus.  I wanted to include that link, but for various good reasons, it didn't get in. 
Tom

===================================
Tom Johnson - Inst. for Analytic Journalism
Santa Fe, NM
SPJ Region 9 Director
[hidden email]               <a href="tel:[phone]" value="[phone]" target="_blank">505-473-9646
===================================

On Jun 13, 2015 8:42 AM, "Marcus Daniels" <[hidden email]> wrote:

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/magazine/what-silicon-valley-can-learn-from-seoul.html

 

“Much of this was made possible by two decades of enormous public investment. “

 

From: Friam [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Stephen Guerin
Sent: Saturday, June 13, 2015 9:12 AM
To: [hidden email]; Wedtech@Redfish. Com
Subject: [FRIAM] Tom Johnson's opinion piece in Santa Fe NewMexican

 

http://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/my_view/are-politicians-foreclosing-on-high-tech-future/article_6813cb82-5952-5926-82c9-725ef0a0aecc.html

Are politicians foreclosing on high-tech future

Tom Johnson | 0 comments

It is sad, frustrating and discouraging to read something written by politicians that demonstrates they apparently have not done appropriate research before making public declarations.

This is especially so when such an elected official is in a position of specific legislative influence.

That happened last week when Rep. James Smith of District 22, chairman of the interim Science, Technology and Telecom Committee in the New Mexico House, wrote about telecommunications policy (“Could the FCC foreclose on high-tech future,” My View, June 6).

Addressing the Federal Communications Commission’s regulation of the Internet, Smith wrote, “light regulation … gave Internet providers freedom to innovate with new services and new infrastructure … .” Further, “this move … has fueled the dramatic expansion of Internet technology in America.

“This symbiotic relationship between minimal regulation and maximum investment and innovation continues,” he said.

First, remember that the initial Internet concepts and technologies were developed with taxpayer research dollars, not private enterprise investment. Second, the “new services” are coming not from the digital providers, but from clever individuals and talented startup teams that could possibly do even more if they had access to true broadband at affordable prices.

Third, research year after year indicates that U.S. citizens are paying higher prices for slower connectivity. As the Open Technology Institute reports: “Data that we have collected in the past three years demonstrates that the majority of U.S. cities surveyed lag behind their international peers, paying more money for slower Internet access.” (See http://bit.ly/1FJL1vB and http://bit.ly/1MAlYRa)

Companies providing Internet connectivity — and we really only have three in Santa Fe, and none providing true high-speed, fiber-optic connections — all seek to minimize their costs and maximize their revenue. That’s inherent in capitalism. For customers, that means minimal connectivity, slow speeds and high monthly bills.

Appropriate “regulation” of the Internet would seek collaborative government/private enterprise endeavors with the goal of maximizing customer benefits (i.e. fiber to the home with maximum digital up and down speeds) at minimal cost. Such would be the feedstock for economic, social, educational, health and governmental progress in the digital era.

The high-speed, digital train is rapidly leaving stations around the world. New Mexico needs political conductors and engineers capable of running that train with informed knowledge, insight and vision.

Tom Johnson is co-founder of the Institute for Analytic Journalism in Santa Fe.

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com

============================================================
FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv
Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College
to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com