Regarding a recent vote, Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) explained why he voted against the amendment (basic net neutrality) and gave an amazing primer on how the Internet works: “It’s a series of tubes.” and “…an Internet was sent by my staff at 10 o’clock in the morning on Friday and I just got it yesterday.” Story includes an mp3 link.

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I am always amazed when someone tells me they “I’m not computer literate.” How can you not be? How many years have you had to listen to people tell you that computers are the future and that you’ll be left behind if you don’t learn how to use one? How many jobs today require at least a basic understanding of computers and how to use one? How can you sit back and ignore the changing world around you?

Please follow the read more link and really do read this story because it’ll blow you away. I honestly can’t believe someone who has such a skewed and disconnected understanding of the Internet and computer networking is making such important decisions regarding it. I can understand a senator not having a full blown Computer Science degree, but I’d think they’d at least have an advisor on these types of issues. What’s scarier is that most of his political brethren have about the same level of understanding. Just like Hollywood and the music industry, they just don’t get technology.

Mr. Stevens’ lack of knowledge goes beyond just trying to market to my generation. It’s fine if a corporation can’t figure out MySpace or Facebook. So they lose out on that precious 18-30 market. This has to do with governing regulations. These laws are changing how things work on the Internet and have some major consequences not only for corporations, but also for just about everyone else. It doesn’t just affect the U.S. either. The Internet is more of a global community than any other and just like the real world, the U.S. has disproportionate control of it.

I am pleading. Really! Mr. Stevens, if you have any question in your mind about how the Internet works or what the ramifications of a particular law are, please just email me (that is if you can figure out how to). Hell, I’ll settle for a plain old snail mail letter. You know, it doesn’t even have to be me. Ask any dork! They’ll tell you how it should be. The entire world will be thankful. Maybe not knowingly, but trust me, they will.