The Centralization of the Internet

My article on Internet centralization just published over at The Public Discourse—

Most of the Internet’s traffic now flows through the networks of a few large companies rather than a multitude of small transit providers, and the Internet’s physical infrastructure is being reshaped to meet this new reality. But relying on a few providers to host all the content on the Internet makes it possible for just a few companies to shut down entire services or control speech.

Free Speech is More than Words

A couple of weeks ago, I joined Leslie Daigle and Alexa Reid on Techsequences to talk about free speech and the physical platform—does the right to free speech include the right to build and operate physical facilities like printing presses and web hosting? I argue it does. Listen in if you want to hear my argument, and how this relates to situations such as the “takedown” of Parler.

Listen here

On the ‘net: From Stamps to the Stack

I’ve started publishing in the Public Discourse on topics of technology and culture; the following is the first article they’ve accepted. Note the contents might be classified as a little controversial.

The recent “takedown” of Parler by Amazon, Apple, and Google has spurred discussion in technological circles. Do the companies’ actions constitute an abuse of free speech? Or were the tech giants well within their rights, simply enforcing their own “terms of service”? Looking back at the history of free speech in the United States, especially the historical moment during which the right to free speech was codified, can offer guidance.

On the ‘net: The Art of Conviction

I was recently a guest on The Art of Conviction podcast, where we covered a bit of my background, some of the challenges I’ve faced in getting where I am, and then we moved into a discussion around my recently finished dissertation. I’m working to find places to publish more in the area of worldview and culture; I’ll point to those here as I can find a “home” for that side of my life.

You can find the recording here.

Beyond my episode, The Art of Conviction is a fascinating podcast; you should really subscribe and listen in.