Ask HN: Is Google evil?
When I naively read the the statement from verizon and google, I thought it was fine and understood it thusly:
Everything internet is neutral, both on wireless and wired. Wireless bandwidth could be used for things other than 'internet', and those would not be subject to neutrality.
There seems to be this 'zomg google sold us out' explosion, so I question myself when I don't see anyone defending google.
Is Google evil?
No. Not 'evil'. Evil has always been too strong a term.
I'm still reading through all of this myself. I think I can sum it all up by saying the following:
I switched from an iPhone to Android phone because Apple had gone out of its way to say it wasn't like other companies but then did so when it came to their Walled Garden, approval process and the idea that I do not really own my phone.
I like Android but its not the same clean crisp UI experience that the unpolished Android is. However thats a small price to pay for a somewhat clearer conscience.
Google has now turned tail on many cherished beliefs that they once championed. I'm going back to iPhone since while they are both tarnished products at least its a better one.
People are generally overreacting and free-associating, Verizon and Google announced an agreement about how the neutrality debate may move forward, there are some concessions that I suppose people didn't expect Google to make, it being a huge proponent of net neutrality, but they were on the side of practicality as the agreement in general is non-binding and meant as a framework for discussion. So no there isn't much evil there it's just people being surprised that a for profit company can make few compromises on ideals in sake of practicality.