Freedom to Connect (…

Freedom to Connect (read: After the FCC)
kickass conference in Washington on March 30-31 about the future of networks: technology, regulation, spectrum, freedom of speech. He calls it Freedom to Connect. A short while before he put together the conference, I suggested the need for a conference about life After the FCC. He said let’s put them together. The writeup says:

The future of telecommunications starts now; there’s a new U.S. Telecom Act in the works, there’s unbundling in Europe, fast fiber in Asia, wireless across Africa and networks a-building in cities and villages around the world. Lead the discussion. Shape the debate. Assert your Freedom to Connect.

The need to communicate is primary, like the need to breathe, eat, sleep, reproduce, socialize and learn….

Freedom to Connect belongs with Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion and Assembly. Each of these freedoms is related to the others and depends on the others, but stands distinct. Freedom to Connect, too, depends on the other four but carries its own meaning. Unlike the others, it does not yet have a body of law and practice surrounding it. There is no Digital Bill of Rights. Freedom to Connect is the place to start….

Speakers and panelists include Vint Cerf, David Weinberger, Susan Crawford, and more. Sign up.

6 responses to “Freedom to Connect (…”

  1. James C. Avatar

    Excellent. Get him to “connect” with some optimism for Iraq while you’re at it. He’s one of Riverbend’s fans.

  2. Richard Bennett Avatar

    If Michael Powell isn’t at this conference it will be a total waste of time.

  3. Pamela Kay Hawkins Avatar
    Pamela Kay Hawkins

    Freedom to Connect, eh? To what, to whom, and in what manner?
    Since the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States contains more than “freedom of speech or of the press,” it would seem we already have all you propose in your freedom to connect. To wit: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
    Given the entire context of this amendment, what need have we for another?
    The common error that this amendment protects only the press and free speech has spawned all kinds of false and irresponsible actions. I submit that adding another would be redundant.

  4. Richard Bennett Avatar

    Isenberg is all about false and irresponsible redundancy.

  5. Been there, done that Avatar
    Been there, done that

    I wonder if “those who can, do. And those who can’t, go to conferences.”

  6. Richard Bennett Avatar

    That about sums it up. Can somebody remind me of a single contribution this Isenberg character has made to networking?