Speak Up Project

I’ve learned a few important things when blogging about Internet governance, regulation of porn and malicious content, and anything else I write about. For lack of a better word, the response I’ve had has been interesting as well. I want to put this information out there and show you all what I’m dealing with, and what my feelings are about it.

Lessons I’ve Learned

1. The term ‘Internet Governance’ is not well understood - People don’t really know what this means. Maybe this is due to the fact that we’re not even sure how to categorize the growth patterns and effects of the Internet. Every day, new debates turn up about these issues.
2. The term ‘Internet Governance’ directs people’s minds to the U.S. government as a regulatory body - For some reason people immediately think that we imply some kind of federal body as a regulatory force for the whole world. The truth is that there already is a regulatory body that controls the technical aspects of the Internet not within the U.S. government. This group is ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) and is a non-profit corporation located in California.
3. People think that ‘Internet Governance’ is only achieved by restricting access to information at the will of a governing body, and not the will of the people - This is also interesting to me, as we all know very well by now that the Internet is a user run entity and will always be that way. Any kind of governance, organization, or restriction has to begin there. Not with a group that comes in and starts issuing new rules.
4.  There is an overwhelming population of people who are dissatisfied with the state of the Internet regarding pornography, security, and other Internet deregulation spawned issues, but they don’t know where to start - Unfortunately this is a problem that’s not easily solved. It takes education, action, and a lot of persuasion. The data of the harms of these things is very apparrent.
5. Most people don’t want to tackle the issue of harmful internet content because they don’t want to take the heat - I can’t blame em too much. The internet is worldwide, and you have the eyes of millions on you when you seek to make a difference in this arena.
6. In regards to pornography, the United States is the largest problem - We pulled a stat the other day, stating that 89% of the online pornography is generated in the United States. If pornography was such a widely accepted form of communication, and it was generally a good thing, why isn’t the rest of the world so gung ho about it? Just curious.
7. The most outspoken people over internet governance don’t even nearly represent the majority. They are a tiny minority - This is mostly due to the fact that the outspoken are the early adopters of the internet. They understand jargony terms like “net netrality” or “IP address”. They are outspoken because they’re on the Internet all the time. Sometimes that group fails to realize that the Internet isn’t a way of life for everyone, and that most people want the benefits of the Internet without all the negative aspects of it in the way. They want access and a voice without having to be concerned about it all the time.

Allow me to be bold here. You can say what you want, think what you want, and argue your way into any technophile circle about free speech and the Internet. You can show with all the zeal in the world that total and complete deregulation of the Internet is good.

What you can never do is convince me that any child who browses the Internet to find sports information, video game tips, homework information, or cartoon clips will go on his search without stumbling upon some porn. You will never convince me that if he or she does, that it won’t hurt them in some way or another. You will NEVER convince me that all this is worth getting porn when and how you want it. You will never convince me that porn addiction has absolutely zero effect on marital problems. You will absolutely never ever ever convince me that just because someone enjoys porn, it’s okay for the millions of people who find it disgusting and degrading to have their email in-boxes incessantly spammed with maliciously deceptive advertisements to get them hooked.

You may find it okay to look at porn yourself. That is your freedom and your right. You have that and that should not be taken away. Whether that has a good or a bad effect on you is not my businesses. What is my business? My business is to speak up and find a better way to make the internet work.

There are ways, we’re just all afraid to make people have to change.  There are solutions to give those who want porn the freedom of access they need while offering those who want better options to block it those very solutions. It’s a matter of making a change and standing by it.

/endrant

Speak Up Project is all about making a point that goes past your ideas. If your voice is unheard then your point is moot. IF you wait for things to happen, you’ll always be disappointed. You have to take control of your ideas and get them across in an effective manner.

We’ve put together a list of some of the best ways to make a point stick. Whether you have opinions about Internet governance or lobbying for your own personal rights, these tactics will give you a foundation for success in debate.

1. Do your research - If you’re going to argue, you have got to know your stuff. A little bit of knowledge goes a long way in social or political debates. The truth is often those who lack the necessary knowledge often regress to personal attacks and irrational thinking. Once you’ve proved a point and brought someone to this point, you’ve taken the upper hand. Debating isn’t to attack or debase a person, it’s to show that your argument holds weight.

2. Know who to talk to - So many points go unheard, and for a good reason. Often times those who have a point to argue with an organization fail to demand the right attention. Although this process is lengthy at times, it’s truly worth it. What worse is that subordinates often take an authoritative role and make decisions on behalf of their organization with those who want to confront them. These people are frequently not qualified to understand, and unwilling to listen to protect their superiors. Organizational leaders can tend to be very open minded.

3. Have a purpose in mind, and stick to it - Your opinions are not enough. Once you make your point clear, you have to know what you want from it. Are you asking for something? Do you have an action in mind that you are looking to have executed? If you drive a point home, and don’t have anywhere to go from there, you lose your credibility.

4. Make it a team effort - Large battles are seldom successfully fought alone. If you’re out to take an issue on, go at it with more than yourself. It’s also critical to have witnesses to your argument in case you really do make some headway.

5. Be calm - Don’t ever resort to offensive, harsh language. Don’t ever give in to the frustration. Keep a cool, calm demeanor. Speak to your party like you respect them. Strike that balance between being bold, and being respectable as well. It’s possible. If you’re not willing to budge, do so peacefully. You’ll always regret resorting to frustrated argument and personal attacks.

6. Don’t be obsessed with the last word - In conjunction with the previous point, be discretionary about how much you choose to say. Just get your information out with a concise and honest point. The most well articulated people are inevitably more convincing. Your intelligence and forthrightness will speak volumes and resonate. Getting the last word will only put the other party on the defensive.

7. Be positive - If you have a point to make, then it’s important to come off like you’re striving for a better cause. You want to convince the opposing party that you have the ideas that will support that better cause. If you want change, you have to make people see the positive side of change. Often times attacking people insults their work and effort. What’s most important is to open the minds of your opposing party.

8. Follow up - So what happens when you get heard and you make a case? What do you do then? Is the party you are lobbying for change just appeasing you with answers they know you want to hear? You have to follow up. Make sure they’re sticking to their word.

While we give you the information needed to make yourself heard, you are the only one who can actually do it. So come on and speak up!