Right now, there’s a war being waged against the level and fair internet we love. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are working to pass through their plans for a “free and open internet” which would significantly roll back current FCC regulations which protect the internet we enjoy today. Don’t let the name fool you — their “free and open internet” plans are anything but.

Essentially, the changes they’re seeking would mean ISPs would be free to do two things key things they’re currently legally barred from. First, internet-based companies and services could be charged different amounts based on the discretion of the ISP, and second, some data could be favored over other information, based on the company or service it’s coming from.

ISPs argue that some data-heavy services like video and music streaming put an undue load on their infrastructure, and that they should be allowed to charge these companies more money, so that they can supposedly use those earnings to reinvest in better infrastructure. But this is nothing but a ruse so they can charge Pandora, Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube more in order to do business.

Imagine if Skype was forced to pay exorbitant fees when it was founded in 2003? That would have almost certainly prevented it from growing into the innovative — and needed — service it is today. So what other new and innovative products and services could we lose if net neutrality is not protected? What innovations will we lose out on forever because the cost of doing business and taking a risk is too high?

Net neutrality must be protected so that the innovation we’ve grown to love — and honestly, expect — from the internet continues to flourish indefinitely.

Upholding net neutrality is imperative to not only innovation, but also the free flow of information and ideas on the internet. Undoing current net neutrality rules would allow ISPs to favor the data of companies that pay them more — or they themselves own — over their competitors. Just imagine if Time Warner Cable (an ISP) ensured that Hulu (a company that it owns a stake in) streamed faster and at higher quality than Netflix. What if Verizon Internet would load TechCrunch articles (which it owns) far faster than its arch rival Gizmodo?

Such a scenario would undoubtedly lead to changes in the way we consume media, as the players the ISPs choose to give favor to would out compete all the other sources we’d have chosen if there was a level playing field. Of course, smaller companies that do not have enough cash to play ball would likely be lost in the ethereal void of slow loading pages and limited data transfer speeds.

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So it’s time to stop reading and take some action. Here are a few links to help you get started:

John Oliver’s Website: www.gofccyourself.com

Contact your House and Congressional Representatives with this easy to use form: https://resistbot.io/

Donate and get involved with one of these great groups:

https://www.eff.org/      https://www.aclu.org/      https://www.freepress.net/

https://www.fightforthefuture.org/      https://www.publicknowledge.org/

The post Innovation, Fairness, and Choice: The Case for Net Neutrality appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

The two brews I am most excited about are going to be released bottle only and are truly spectacular; ‘Jam the Radar’ from their Barrel Stack Series and the ‘Funk yo Couch’ Brett Saison are incredibly tasty and unlike anything I have ever had. Jam the Radar is a creative beer blend made out of two of their creations; 18.5% of the blend is a golden sour beer fermented and aged in neutral wine barrels with an amazing two pounds of raspberry puree added for every gallon of beer, and the other 81.5% is a dark sour fermented and aged in second use whiskey barrels. The result is something wholly unique and satisfying; the puree results in a huge raspberry centric nose but allows for the other characteristics and darker notes of the brew to reign supreme on the palate without the raspberry overpowering the other flavors. Sour notes are complemented by the sweetness of the raspberries resulting in a crisp and clean beer that is easy to drink on a hot summer day. Bottles are only guaranteed for the first 225 customers (limit 2 per person) so they will not be around for long.  

The Wiley Roots Brett Saison ‘Funk Yo Couch’ is something truly unique since the head brewer Kyle refused to use commercial yeast for it, instead he captured the strain himself via open fermentation. Funk Yo Couch is something special and is only available in 750mL champagne bottles meant for sharing with a loved one. Since the bottle is only $12 dollars for such a large amount (Wiley was able to save money on yeast since they captured it themselves) and this is such an impressive and unique beer I highly recommend getting a bottle while you can.  

After the anniversary releases Friday and Saturday Wiley Roots caps off their celebrations on Saturday evening from 9pm to 11pm with a guided cigar and beer pairing event; this is an opportunity to have an intimate evening with the head brewer and those passionate for great beer, you can find more information and get tickets here. Be sure to experience some of the best and most innovative beers Northern Colorado this weekend by joining Wiley Roots at their 3rd Anniversary Celebration.   

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