Wikipedia Protest: Websites Plan Jan 18 Shutdown Over SOPA

I really think this is a bad thing. It is already annoying me that wiki is not up. I am not mad at SOPA, I am mad at wiki. I knew that for the past few years the editorial administrators have been becoming more and more liberal. I thought it would only affect the politcal and historical pages so I didn't care much. Now the fact that they have figured out a way to be disruptive and annoying on a general level... I don't know what to do.

I really think that it is a good way to protest. They are showing an exaggerated (to get people's attention) outcome if the legislation is passed. The internet should not be censored. If all the conservatives are worried about sites like wiki being too "liberal", yet rely on it and blame them in the process. Instead they should be praising them for this amazing portal to the information highway, which is completely free. Perhaps people should really take note of what the outcomes will be. I understand the issue of piracy (and so does wiki and the rest of the sites standing against the legislation), but there are different ways about combating that problem. They are simply trying to take the easy way out. If the legislation is passed, United States will be no better than China with all their censorship, and the ones who once supported the legislation will realize the dire effects of limited searching, slower internet and having more and more websites that no longer provide free viewing.

The legislation wasn't likely to pass anyway. Jim Wales just figured out that he could do this after the italians did it and thought it would be fun. Get ready for him to do it agin I estimate he will do it again in the next 6 months. As for conservatives hating it yet secretly loving it, all the liberal responses to dissent on this topic so far is if you don't like it get out... What kind of a response is that? I am trying to help wiki not look like a bunch of college hipster fools. And enough with the sum of all human knowledge, fantastic portal, BS. Wiki needs to remember it is the lowest of all sources except for folk knowledge or heresay. But it is broad and therefore useful in winnowing the true from the false.

Is it “Good” or “Bad” to let your elected representatives know your opinion? Protests are intended to make someone else “mad” besides your self in order to prompt conversation or action. So Bully – Bully for the protesters as the conversation has now has reached me, but I ‘m in the dark as to what the provisions are that everyone else seems to be complaining about. It is time to make clear what is the debate over. The Internet is a hazardous place and the assumption of risk is in the definition of entrepreneur. But, anarchists and thieves need limits so that the little people don’t get eaten alive. There is no reason that both positions cannot be promoted.

@steve -- this is NOT a liberal/conservative thing. I am not a liberal, but I still recognize the danger of SOPA. It's not a matter of IF this law will be abused, but just how fast it will cause the loss of our 1st amendment rights. It is pure and simple pandering to the entertainment industry, who can't figure out how to effectively compete in the new marketplace without the force of government.

Yes, it was annoying to have Wiki down for a day but they did make a point. It shows how much we have become reliant on the Internet for information. Agree, govt shouldn't sensor 1st amendment. However, not to sound like a radical, govt has always wanted to be in control - they are losing control. What a better way than to start stomping on the foundations of our country. They have slowly and quietly been doing it for years. Wiki and other similar sites have and always been around, if it wasn't on the Internet it was in the form of paper. The National Enquirer is still around - is it fact or fiction? Come on govt, get a grip. Yes, there is definitely a danger of the SOPA!

I thought it was a productive tool in calling attention to the issue. I was not previously aware of the pending legislation. The website blackouts and the media attention surrounding them prompted me to research the issue, become more informed, and form an opinion on the issue. I am now 100% opposed to these "solutions" to a real problem.

Steve says, "The legislation wasn't likely to pass anyway." That simply wasn't the case a few weeks ago. It had widespread support in both the House and Senate. It wasn't until big internet players like wikipedia and google started publicizing the negative impacts of the legislation that Obama and members of congress started bailing. Also, I'm not sure how you can paint this as a "liberal" cause. I thought conservatives were against big government regulations interfering with the free market.

Good? Bad? This is really about the major changes that are coming to our society due to the Internet. When TV first came out, it was very controlled as the powers that be tried to determine what the public should see. In time, we saw the Vietnam War up close, had sex and violence delivered to our living rooms, and saw more of the world (and even the moon!) than we ever imagined. We also were entertained. Now TV (and cable) are a major factor in our lives. Prepare for a similar evolution for the Internet. Not for geeks anymore as so many people are connected night and day. To see real world activities like protests moving to our new cyberworld - inevitable. And due to the unique qualities of the Net, maybe more effective in reaching people everywhere. The questions raised by Dan Lohrmann are valid - but it is too late. Information wants to be free. The real question is - what happens next? And - what will it mean for you and me as we web-morph as a society?

I couldn't agree any more with Fred. This brought light to something that many Americans had no clue was even happening. Too bad our gov't isn't as good at sharing information with us! And shame on them trying to regulate what we see! Knowledge is power and once again our gov't wants us to be a bunch of blind sheep-people! I'm just curious how much longer the people are going to stand for this type of treatment. So sick of the the brainwash that our gov't uses on us by controlling what news we see and what news we don't see. Really what is there to hide? Maybe the fact that its our gov't going out and starting wars? Hmmmmm...

SOPA and PIPA are assaults by old media conglomerates to convert the internet from the current open, sharing, collaborative, innovative and level-field environment back to the old days where old media had control, gateways, picking and choosing what content could succeed, who can express themselves and leaving the masses at the mercy of a few. Supporters of this freedom-restricting legislation include frequent abusers of existing law (DCMA) that routinely violate rights of fair use under the archaic copyright law. Not just the entertainment companies but also others like the NFL, ESPN, MLB that want to control their monopolies even if means taking down a YouTube video of XYZ scoring a touchdown. The parent corps of ABC, FOX, NBC, CBS, CNN all were pushing for SOPA, so we did not see much coverage on the legislation UNTIL the Internet and technology community took these bold actions to draw attention. Unfortunately, many government-related organizations shamelessly also supported this oppressive legislation. Nat'l District Attorneys Assoc, US Conf of Mayors and other foolish groups with no clue about technology or respect for freedom. I don't see old media companies being punished for abusing fair use rights. I see a thriving Internet that is leading America's job creation and innovation. Not only the protests were justified, but I would take it further by having all the major social networks like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc suspend the accounts of SOPA PIPA supporters until the legislation is fully dead. The legislation would give government and old media power to disrupt the Internet. Maybe those abusive old media regimes should get a taste of their own medicine. Let's see how long ABC, NFL, Disney, Comcast and the members of Congress paid to push this legislation through last when their accounts to Facebook, YouTube, Twitter are gone and they can't access the digital audiences they want to control.

Melissa hit it head-on. SOPA and PIPA are more about old media rigging the internet the way they rigged things before. Any government-associated agency that put their name as a supporter of these horrible anti-freedom bills should be ashamed. Maybe they should live in communist China or feel more comfortable in the old Soviet Union where oppression, censorship are encouraged. Government should NOT micromanage the global Internet and screw up the most innovative environment of our lifetime.

Widipedia is not a reliable source of information, therefore I do not use it, thefore their blackout means nothing to me. Facebook on the other hand....

Update for Steve. Members of Congress support for SOPA/PIPA on January 18: 80 supporters, 31 opponents; on January 19: 65 supporters, 101 opponents. (Source: propublica.org). I guess those "college hipster fools" over at wikipedia knew what they were doing.