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We originally planned this episode of the Community Broadband [no-glossary]Bits[/no-glossary] podcast to answer the question of “What is the Internet?” But as we started talking to our guest, Principal of Interisle Consulting Group Fred Goldstein, we quickly realized we first had to dig into a little bit of history.
This is not the story of how the Department of Defense and university researchers created the ArpaNet. We are focused on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and telephone companies and how the FCC's Computer Inquiries allowed the Internet to thrive.
Fred lived it and offers a passionate retelling of key events, motivations, and more. This conversation is setting the stage for a future show – later this month – focused on answering the original question: “Just what, exactly, is the Internet?” And we'll also talk about network neutrality and other hot topics in answering it. But for now, we hope you enjoy this show. We went a bit long and it is a bit technical in places, but we think the history is important and a reminder of how good government policy can lead to great outcomes.
Read the transcript of this episode here.
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This show is 35 minutes long and can be played below on this page or via iTunes or via the tool of your choice using this feed.
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Thanks to Roller Genoa for the music, licensed using Creative Commons. The song is “Safe and Warm in Hunter's Arms.”