I've built a career on the internet, and some would say that I spent more time here then I do anywhere else. I prefer it. Having made digital a huge part of my personal and professional life I like to think I understand the power of it. What drew me into to the web was a moment of discovery, when I was in highschool my mom worked at a computer manufacturer and I was lucky enough to have a laptop. I remember when I first got online. It wasn't pretty but there were people, and there was information. It was an exploration, a discovery. I remember spending hours and hours online, up late, I remember my parents discussing it (via phone with my Dad in the US and my Mom in Canada). I remember them deciding that if I was that interested in it, they should stay out of it. I was learning, I found something I wanted to do (although hacking, phreaking, and blogging weren't really lucrative - or jobs yet) they supported it. They didn't understand it, but they supported it. 

 

Now, almost 20 years later I'm hoping that everyone understands the power of the internet. Now all of these years later what the internet is, and will be moving forward is in jeopardy. Many people say, this bill won't pass, it's not just about this bill (SOPA/PIPA) it's about the debate in general. I believe this will only be the first type of legislation aiming to control content online. . As a business person and digital evangelist I understand both sides. I understand content creators and publishers (especially because I am one, and manage a slew of them) wanting to be paid, to stop piracy but I am also a Pirate and I understand users. 

 

With some of the quasars of the internet universe blacking out, or posting messages to protest SOPA/PIPA sites like Reddit, Google, Wikipedia, ThePirateBay are speaking volumes about how important this is. Not just for Americans but for anyone who uses the internet. This is not about content. It's about money. It's about business. That's the sad part. It's not about the people. 

 

I do not believe that the internet needs to be censored. I do however believe it is the task of businesses, content publishers, and creators to protect their content. Find smarter, more convenient ways to distribute (Louis CK) and people will pay, content will be protected, publishers can be credited, etc. This is about businesses getting smarter about how they do business, not creating legislation to do this for them.

 

We support the boycott. We hope you do too.

 

- Amy Miranda