CPS 182S, Fall 2003, Paper I

As the nature of the Internet and the types of organizations that are involved in its development change, pressures mount to change the architecture of and regulations surrounding it. "Tussles" and "Rethinking" examine some of these pressures. Lessig discusses the evolution of the Internet, and the attempt to layer "architectures of control" on top of the current design in response to these pressures. In Code, p. 30, Lessig states:
The values that [Internet architectures] embed are different, and one type of difference is regulability - a difference in the ability to control behavior within a particular cyberspace. Some architectures make behavior more regulable; other architecture make behavior less regulable.
Make a strong and concrete thesis statement about how the rise of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have changed and will continue to change the architecture of the Internet. Your paper should address a number of questions: Your paper will argue whether the changes effected by the ISPs are "good" or "bad". Support your argument using class readings and your own research.
Owen L. Astrachan
Last modified: Fri Aug 29 11:37:07 EDT 2003