Comment by Tim Berners-Lee sparks discussion that seems unnecessary
Tim Berners-Lee sparked a lot of a discussion the other day by suggesting that “access to the Web is now a human right.”
As I’ve been reading comments in various forums it strikes me that some people are getting hung up on the philosophical question of what should and should not constitute a “right.” They’re looking for a concrete framework into which guaranteed Web access would fit or not fit … by definition.
Everyone has a right to their own thought process, of course, but that hang-up on the word “right” strikes me as unnecessary. (And upping the ante to “human right” even more so.)
In my view, the question of Web access for all is a political decision first and foremost; a philosophical one in the abstract. To do everything practical to provide as many Americans as possible with basic access to the Internet wouldn’t require setting any precedent; the government already delivers all manner of services and benefits simply because they have been judged by our political leaders to be in our best interest (or they want our votes).
Universal Internet access would require political consensus and lots of tax dollars, whether you call it a right or merely the right thing to do.
And if it’s the right thing to do, what you call it shouldn’t matter.
