doing without

The neighbor's wireless that I was tapping into disappeared. I kept checking for two weeks, but I don't think it's coming back. Now I find that $30/month DSL does not run to my apartment in town. Cox Communications wants $60/month for cable internet. There are no other providers. The days of plenty are over.

At first I was frustrated by how much I'd have to play, but then it occurred to me that did I HAVE to pay? Did I HAVE to have fast internet to my home? I began to think more creatively: I have internet at work, at the library, and at the coffee-shop downtown. The latter two are also open late, and I would enjoy the walk. Plus it would push me out of the school-home-Matt's triangle that I exist in. The only day without access is really Sunday. I can do without internet for one day in an entire week. A day of rest.

Besides, I believe more and more that internet should be like radio, namely that anyone with a receiver should be able to pick it up. It is a source of news, information, and therefore, power and democracy, and it should be free.