Civilizing Ourselves

Path Across

One important side effect of social networking, user video, and app-based interactions has been the empowerment of consumers. Pro-regulatory advocates worry about what giant content providers such as Google or access companies including Verizon and Comcast might do in a future absent government intervention. But I have faith that consumers, users, and citizens increasingly have the tools to make their views known and effect change when necessary—quickly and effectively.

Early on, unfortunately, we may also have to endure episodes of digital mob rule, with all the negative consequences that go with it…. But over time, the posse and the hanging tree gave way to local sheriffs and circuit-riding judges. The frontier civilized itself.

– Larry Downes, author of The Laws of Disruption & Unleashing the Killer App

excerpted from Save the Internet by Doing Nothing: Governments should butt out of Internet regulation, because the Internet will civilize itself.