“The Equivalent Of Needing A Babysitter And Hiring A Dingo”

Granted, regular readers have heard me raise alarms over the impending demise of net neutrality and the negative impact that will have on the entire field but compared to other topics, the degree of engagement is, shall we say, unenthusiastic. That’s okay, it can seem like a dry and overly geeky topic; fortunately, creative types like John Oliver and his writing team at HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver not only know how to get your attention, but can inspire action.

The 13:17 segment was broadcast on 6/1/2014 and is available online at YouTube. Do yourself a favor and watch the entire thing (slightly NSFW content).

In addition to what Oliver suggests vis-à-vis submitting comments at fcc.gov/comments you should contact your representatives and insist that they do everything in their power to prevent the FCC from destroying Net Neutrality by reclassifying broadband as a telecommunication service.

You can also contact FCC commissioners directly (h/t act.freepress.net):

  • FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler*: 1-202-418-1000
  • FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn: 1-202-418-2100
  • FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly: 1-202-418-2300
  • FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai: 1-202-418-2000
  • FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel: 1-202-418-2400
Preventing Cable Company Fuckery

Here’s a sample script for you to use:

I’m calling to urge the FCC to scrap its plan to allow Internet service providers to charge for preferential treatment.

These rules would destroy Net Neutrality. I urge the commission to throw them out and instead reclassify broadband as a telecommunications service. This is the only way to restore real Net Neutrality.

Want even more options? Stop by savetheinternet.com/what-can-i-do and see what strikes your fancy.

* Chairman Wheeler was a paid lobbyist in charge of lobbying efforts for cable providers; the very same businesses set to benefit from destroying net neutrality. This clear conflict of interest is what Oliver was referencing when he used the phrase “The Equivalent Of Needing a Babysitter And Hiring A Dingo.”

About Drew McManus

"I hear that every time you show up to work with an orchestra, people get fired." Those were the first words out of an executive's mouth after her board chair introduced us. That executive is now a dear colleague and friend but the day that consulting contract began with her orchestra, she was convinced I was a hatchet-man brought in by the board to clean house.

I understand where the trepidation comes from as a great deal of my consulting and technology provider work for arts organizations involves due diligence, separating fact from fiction, interpreting spin, as well as performance review and oversight. So yes, sometimes that work results in one or two individuals "aggressively embracing career change" but far more often than not, it reinforces and clarifies exactly what works and why.

In short, it doesn't matter if you know where all the bodies are buried if you can't keep your own clients out of the ground, and I'm fortunate enough to say that for more than 15 years, I've done exactly that for groups of all budget size from Qatar to Kathmandu.

For fun, I write a daily blog about the orchestra business, provide a platform for arts insiders to speak their mind, keep track of what people in this business get paid, help write a satirical cartoon about orchestra life, hack the arts, and love a good coffee drink.

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