Is the (Internet) Pen Mightier than the (Regulation) Sword?

Back in the day of Camelot, words waxed poetic. The pen was a quill and the audience was local. So, the reach and influence was limited, but the feedback could be emotional and sometimes physical (say or write the wrong thing, and here comes the sword).

Fast forward a few hundred years, and today, what gives our words more power?

The audience that receives it.

Today, the pen is represented by a digital sentence, a video clip or any other mode of communication that can be transmitted though constantly connected and evolving physical devices.

The world audience is approximately 6.6 billion and counting. Spooky maybe, but not when you compare this picture to 5...10...25 years from now. Some say, we will just “think it …and it will be so” from embedded microchips on our bodies. Now that is scary.

Point is, we will not stop this inevitable progression of the pen?
So what is sword to do?

Tax the pen…Regulate the pen….Control the pen.

If we are an author of any of these future forms of communication, that is not the preferred prophecy.

What we can do:

We have to continue to network and compound the weight of the pen. Case in point:

Arizona HB 2549
Had this legislation been left unchecked by the watchful eye of many contributing constituents, this little gem could be law right now. The most problematic issue is the labeling and punishment of a suspected “Internet Troller” using this wording:

"It is unlawful for any person, with intent to terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, annoy or offend, to use any electronic or digital device and use any obscene, lewd or profane language or suggest any lewd or lascivious act, or threaten to inflict physical harm to the person or property of any person."

Considering line extension, this could eventually affect others even outside the intended state. It is still unclear where this bill is headed.

Arizona is just the beginning. Other primary issues can start in one state, and once embedded as law, can be easily tweaked by another state and suddenly can become law. The question again:

“Is the Internet Pen mightier than the Regulation Sword?”

The answer to that will depend on each individual’s commitment to influence one or the other.

As always…you decide.