Freedom and the Internet

It is the feeling at this time at Lewis Meta-systems that the Internet represents as yet a great deal of unexplored and unrealized potential for development as an informational and communication resource that is potentially available to all of humankind. It therefore represents a critical information and knowledge resource for all of humanity as a platform for human development. As we further explore these possibilities, we must take time to appreciate and muse about the critical human value offered by the Internet and its relationship to the freedom of information via its open transmission and unrestricted access. 

The exchange of information upon the Internet has achieved such a vast volume and rate of flow that no single individual or agency or government is capable of either fully monitoring or exerting complete control over its transmissions. This growth continues daily to expand upon an exponential rate, and it continues developing intensively as well as in an extensive manner as new technologies are pushing back the horizons of the physical limits and capacities of digital and alternative information storage, processing and transmission technologies.

At the same time, it has created the foundation for new "cyber-cultures" to emerge, many of which were incipient or sub-cultural in the pre-Internet age. These cyber-cultures are based upon the sharing and regular exchange of special information between individuals and groups on the internet. Some of these new kinds of cultures are testing the limits of traditional or even industrial age culture, and must be construed in normal or received society as marginal and even nefarious or illicit when it comes to some sensitive areas relating especially to human sexuality, drugs, the manipulation of money, and various forms and expressions of violence. 

It is felt furthermore that continuous exposure to cyber-net information and cyber-cultures may exert a powerful persuasive influence upon people, especially youth, that fosters a form of hyper-suggestibility and induces in people to become de-repressed to test, explore and violate boundaries of symbolization, character, values and behavior that cannot normally be realized. Thus with all things new in the world, we must accept as inevitable the good with the bad consequences.

It is currently the opinion of Lewis Meta-systems that the Freedom of the Internet must be safeguarded above all, as it offers the greatest potential for rebuilding human society and for restructuring human social relationships in the world in a more viable, creative and non-pathological manner. It offers a platform for the rise of a new kind of democracy that does not require intermediate representation upon basic issues. It provides a vehicle for the dissemination of critical information on important issues. It also provides the means for near instantaneous communications and for social networking and mobilization on a global basis that permits information to be potentially utilized in far more efficient ways than previously realizable. 

Freedom of the internet is a newly emergent form of freedom, but its right is a logical and natural extension of the principles and rights of freedom of speech, freedom of press and freedom of information. These rights and freedoms they engender must be construed within the context of complementary social responsibilities that have also emerged as a result of the availability and capacity of the Internet and the World Wide Web. Meta-ethical questions arising as a result of this new technology and its resultant cultures have not yet been fully considered or tested.

At this time, it is believed that Freedom of the Internet can be best preserved by the following practices:

1. Offering services and information at least cost over the Internet.

2. Allowing a platform for open competition of websites and systems that develop over the Internet.

3. Self-controlled policing the Internet for control of spamming operations that can take a variety of forms and methods, and that includes the dissemination of viruses and worms.

4. Preventing the monopolization of control of any area of the Internet by single or special interests or groups, or by government agencies.

5. Providing openly and without undue restriction or cost the critical interface software that permits user-friendly programming for the Internet in as intelligent and as dynamic a manner as the state of the art permits.

At the same time, it is also the opinion of Lewis Meta-systems that like all forms of social freedom, rights of access and use must be tempered and counterbalanced by the active exercise of responsible social behavior via and in relation to the Internet. In order for the Freedom of the Internet to be preserved and the fullest potential of the Internet to be realized, it is necessary to apply without exception principles of disciplined and responsibility Internet activity.

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