A couple of days ago I wrote a post in reaction to the combination of the AT&T/Time Warner merger and the end of net neutrality. The core idea was that both events represented failures of government oversight and the combination was a dangerous sign of increasing corporate control of the Internet. Capitalism is exploitive and lacks innovation in those situations lacking competition. This is becoming more and more the case with few ways to access the Internet (one in many cases) and giant access/content corporations gaining control of the user experience.
TechCrunch reached a similar conclusion and proposed that Google (Alphabet/Google) may be the corporate solution. The TechCrunch argument was that Google could be threatened by ATT and Comcast exerting control of streaming video limiting access to Google YouTube and Google would have the resources to compete by offering Project Fi or some similar service (5G) as a way to protect its interests. Because Google benefits more from an open Internet (because of the ad business), Google would be more likely to support a neutral access option.
This makes sense to me.
When thinking about the TechCrunch argument, I had this strange association to Moby’s Spiders. There is a version available on YouTube. I am a cognitive psychologist by training and the way memory works has always intrigued me. Why my mind would flash on this association is intriguing. If you are not a Moby fan, listen to the song. The “hook” is likely what triggered the connection.
We couldn’t bear to stand
How the people leave us waiting
For something up thereOh, why did you leave?
Why won’t you come?
And save us again?Come back to us spiders
Come uncrushed my hand
Let me sent beauty rain
And bring us love again, like you can
Now, if you substitute Google for spiders, you will see what I mean. Beware, Spiders is a real ear worm.
Come back to us Google