Internets Don't Lie

The Washington Post editorializes against net-neutrality today, making the argument that "if one broadband provider slowed access to fringe bloggers, the blogosphere would rise up in protest -- and the provider would lose customers." Their argument makes two pretty absurd assumptions. First of all, when has the blogosphere ever demonstrated it can influence the market. Politics and public opinion are one thing. But I'm not sure Comcast is considers "bloggers" a key market indicator? Second, they assume the barriers to switching service are small enough that people will be able to jump internet providers as easily as trying a new toothbrush. Clearly the editors at the Post have never waited from 11 to 4 on a workday for the cable guy to show up, only to have to reconfigure their hardware, and change their email address - oh, and there's also that cute hundred dollar "switching fee" for their trouble. Broadband providers, who often also provide cable TV and are populated by the laid off spawn of the long distance phone corps, have a bit of experience with discouraging customers from leaving.