Ajit Pai, the Trump-appointed chair of the Federal Communications Commission, wants to do away with net neutrality. This is a terrible idea.
Net neutrality is kind of tricky to explain, but here's an analogy: Right now, most Americans get their internet from one provider, like Comcast, Charter, Verizon, etc. Let's pretend these telecommunications companies built a grocery store. Big sites and applications like Facebook, Netflix, Google, and Twitter are shoppers in line. Right now, with net neutrality, the checkout line at the grocery store allows open access. They legally can't choose which lines move slower or faster. But if net neutrality goes away, the telecom companies will have the power to favor their own content. In other words, Comcast may let the Comcast streaming service use the express lane and force Netflix to get in line behind someone writing a check.
Our current net neutrality rules were approved two years ago, but Pai described the rules as "burdensome" and anti-innovation, and this week, he began the process of dismantling them, with a vote coming next month.
Chairman Ajit Pai of the Federal Communications Commission. Photo by Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images.
Needless to say, people have strong opinions about this, and they should.
The FCC received millions of comments opposing the measure, but that's not enough to sway Pai ... yet. But in case he needs a few more thoughts on the matter, here are nine reasons to fight for net neutrality.
1. If net neutrality goes away, your internet service provider gains a lot of power.
Without #NetNeutrality your ISP can: 1. Charge you extra to reach certain websites. 2. Slow down streaming serv… https://t.co/w7PdlMOqId— Bill Prady (Taylor's Version) (@Bill Prady (Taylor's Version)) 1511285161
2. They will have the power to charge you extra for certain types of internet use or block certain sites altogether.
[This tweet is unavailable unless you pay for a $45/month social media access pass, please visit your <chosen ISP>… https://t.co/6V4A6AAIaV— Jared - Redsquad (@Jared - Redsquad) 1511284918
3. This is already happening in other countries that don't have net neutrality. You have to pay for the type of internet you want to use, and it starts to add up really quickly.
In Portugal, with no net neutrality, internet providers are starting to split the net into packages. https://t.co/TlLYGezmv6— Ro Khanna (@Ro Khanna) 1509062662
4. So this means:
Your cable / internet bill is about to go up bigly. #NetNeutrality— Leah D. Daughtry (@Leah D. Daughtry) 1511287864
5. Not to mention, certain types of sites can be slowed down at the discretion of the internet service provider.
Politics your ISP doesn't agree with? Pornography your ISP doesn't agree with? Good luck getting that site to load.
"Net Neutrality" means corporations can't pay to manipulate how you use the internet (PORN). If this goes away, not… https://t.co/Tqsf5weOtn— Bess Kalb (@Bess Kalb) 1511284824
6. Rolling back net neutrality could also hurt small businesses because if the internet essentially becomes pay-to-play, they won't be able to compete.
7. And as Sen. Elizabeth Warren suggests, it may hinder future innovation too, as a slower, parceled internet won't help anyone research or discover.
We don’t know who is going to have the next big idea in this country, but they’re probably going to need to get onl… https://t.co/PinSnQa1S6— Elizabeth Warren (@Elizabeth Warren) 1511296810
8. And this isn't a partisan issue. No one — left, right, center, or otherwise — should have the sites and resources they enjoy throttled or censored.
Save #NetNeutrality you idiots. Even the Trump supporters need to watch their right winged crap at the same speed as everyone else!— God (@God) 1511286362
9. Because despite the name, this is not an issue you should remain neutral on. This is about access to a free internet.
@JasonKander @AjitPaiFCC I wish people would start framing it as #NetFreedom. #NetNeutrality doesn’t capture the vi… https://t.co/Aua3hqQrt4— Rachel 🎷 (@Rachel 🎷) 1511286551
But what can you do about this? A lot actually.
Reach out to Ajit Pai and let him know you see what he's doing and it's not OK. You can also file a public comment on the FCC's website.
Call and e-mail and BOMBARD @AjitPaiFCC: Ajit.Pai@fcc.gov (202) 418-1000 He wants to destroy #NetNeutrality. Don’t let him.— LeGate (@LeGate) 1511287896
Then reach out to Jessica Rosenworcel. She's another FCC commissioner who's doing everything she can to preserve net neutrality. Let her know you support her efforts.
Today @FCC leadership announced a plan to roll back #NetNeutrality. Let's roar. Let's make a ruckus. Let's stop… https://t.co/bdjVEciYQQ— Jessica Rosenworcel (@Jessica Rosenworcel) 1511283405
And when it's time to vote, vote for candidates who stand up for a free and open internet.
In 2018, I will not support any politician who doesn't have an immediate plan to reinstate #NetNeutrality. None of… https://t.co/sHpPYbZmKq— Nick Jack Pappas (@Nick Jack Pappas) 1511286167
This is not about politics or partisanship.
It's about big telecom companies deciding what you have access to. Join the conversation and speak up for these vital protections.
To learn more about net neutrality, check out the video below and take action at www.battleforthenet.com.
Why net neutrality is so important.Here's why net neutrality matters to you. 🇺🇸 🗽 📲 💻 And here's how you can help protect it: www.battleforthenet.com (via Fight For The Future)
Posted by Upworthy on Monday, November 27, 2017
There's a reason why some people can perfectly copy accents, and others can't
Turns out, there's a neurodivergent link.
A woman in black long sleeve shirt stands in front of mirror.
Have you ever had that friend who goes on vacation for four days to London and comes back with a full-on Queen's English posh accent? "Oooh I left my brolly in the loo," they say, and you respond, "But you're from Colorado!" Well, there are reasons they (and many of us) do that, and usually it's on a pretty subconscious level.
It's called "accent mirroring," and it's actually quite common with people who are neurodivergent, particularly those with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). According Neurolaunch, the self-described "Free Mental Health Library," "Accent mirroring, also known as accent adaptation or phonetic convergence, is the tendency to unconsciously adopt the accent or speech patterns of those around us. This linguistic chameleon effect is not unique to individuals with ADHD, but it appears to be more pronounced and frequent in this population."
Essentially, when people have conversations, we're constantly "scanning" for information—not just the words we're absorbing, but the inflection and tone. "When we hear an accent, our brains automatically analyze and categorize the phonetic features, prosody, and intonation patterns," writes Neurolaunch. For most, this does result in copying the accent of the person with whom we're speaking. But those with ADHD might be more sensitive to auditory cues. This, "coupled with a reduced ability to filter out or inhibit the impulse to mimic…could potentially explain the increased tendency for accent mirroring."
While the article explains further research is needed, they distinctly state that, "Accent mirroring in individuals with ADHD often manifests as an unconscious mimicry of accents in social situations. This can range from subtle shifts in pronunciation to more noticeable changes in intonation and speech rhythm. For example, a person with ADHD might find themselves unconsciously adopting a Southern drawl when conversing with someone from Texas, even if they’ve never lived in the South themselves."
People are having their say online. On the subreddit r/ADHDWomen, a thread began: "Taking on accents is an ADHD thing?" The OP shares, "My whole life, I've picked up accents. I, myself, never noticed, but everyone around me would be like, 'Why are you talking like that??' It could be after I watched a show or movie with an accent or after I've traveled somewhere with a different accent than my 'normal.'
They continue, "Apparently, I pick it up fast, but it fades out slowly. Today... I'm scrolling Instagram, I watch a reel from a comedian couple (Darcy and Jeremy. IYKYK) about how Darcy (ADHD) picks up accents everywhere they go. It's called ADHD Mirroring??? And it's another way of masking."
(The OP is referring to Darcy Michaels and his husband Jeremy Baer, who are both touring comedians based in Canada.)
Hundreds of people on the Reddit thread alone seem to relate. One comments, "Omfg I've done this my whole life; I'll even pick up on the pauses/spaces when I'm talking to someone who is ESL—but English is my first language lol."
Sometimes, it can be a real issue for those around the chameleon. "I accidentally mimicked a waitress's weird laugh one time. As soon as she was out of earshot, my family started to reprimand me, but I was already like 'oh my god I don’t know why I did that, I feel so bad.'"
Many commenters on TikTok were shocked to find out this can be a sign of ADHD. One jokes, "Omg, yes, at a store the cashier was talking to me and she was French. She's like 'Oh are you French too? No, I'm not lol. I'm very east coast Canada."
And some people just embrace it and make it work for them. "I mirror their words or phrase! I’m 30. I realized I start calling everyone sweetie cause my manager does & I work at coffee shop."