The Decision of Five People That Has Affected Us All

After the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) voted to repeal Net Neutrality regulations on Thursday, December 14, reactions on many social media platforms were very strong. Many despaired about the possible end of access to a free and open internet, while others urged neutrality supporters to not give up the fight by calling their representatives in Congress and keeping an eye on the various state governments and advocacy groups that are planning to sue the FCC.  All in all it has created a lot of confusion on what kind of future the Internet and us, its users will have.  Now what does this have to do with trolling?  The repeal of Net Neutrality will not benefit anyone except for those who have the authority over the access of the Internet.  There has been an uproar on many social media platforms about the unfair decision that has come to be for the majority of the Internet users in the United States.  And some of the many who are outraged from this repeal are Internet trolls. With the eventual reality of the loss of easy Internet access to all, how are trolls going to be able to troll to the extremity of their satisfaction?  I recently read an article discussing about John Oliver, a television host, and his ¨Internet troll to arms” in which he urged trolls to spew their anger against the FCC and save Net Neutrality.  ¨Good evening, monsters.  This may be the moment you've spent your whole training for.  We need you to go out there.  For once in your lives focus your indiscriminate rage in a useful direction.  Seize your moment.¨ With the effect of Oliver's call to arms, within hours these trolls indeed answered to his call and had virtually broken the Federal Communication Commission's comment section.  

The trolls on the Internet are known for taking advantage of the First Amendment and its many freedoms to express speech online.  Now that the neutrality has been repealed their protection under that right is gone.  Many trolls believe that their rights to freely express their thoughts have been violated.  This doesn't just apply to trolls but to the many users of the Internet.  Troll or not, the fight for our rights as citizens of the United States has unified us past our differences to face something that we deem to be an important thing to fight for.   

What is your attitude towards Net Neutrality and/or its repeal?  What kind of impact will it have on trolls?  Will this be the end of our days on the Internet?

-Margareth Simbillo