All humans and thus all media is biased. One of the most important powers of the Internet is to allow audiences to gravitate towards media that will help keep people informed on the issues that are important to them. The filtering of ‘what is important’ is both a bias and a market strength.

I am confused by the mention of Slyck. I enjoy articles there as well, but don’t see there being a conflict between Slyck and p2pnet, or a competition for advertisers/funders.

These sites have different styles. For instance, Slyck requires people log in to their discussion BBS in order to discuss articles, while Jon/p2pnet allowed (demands) anonymous postings be possible. I don’t think one is right and the other is wrong, but it is clear that this will create a different style of comments. And I believe that both should exist, and people should be able to read the comments (or not) based on what their personal feelings are on this question.

For my own BLOG I only allow comments to articles from verified members, and that was my choice — largely because of a lack of time to deal with SPAM/etc that would otherwise happen. Jon is dedicating huge amounts of his personal time to back up his personal convictions about anonymous free speech (including anonymous story sources), and should be commended — not condemned — for it!

Is he biased? I strongly believe that he is! I believe most media outlets are biased, especially towards entrenched, monied interests of the various cartels. Everyone is biased in one way or another. Does that mean he is liar? NO IT DOES NOT! Jon just tells people the side of a story not heard by most. Even though Jon does not publish all viewpoints I submit, I still support him and his endeavors. This is one place I can come to where I can read other viewpoints.

I also like the fact that this is a website that I can visit or allow children to visit that does not contain sex, Viagra, or other advertisements of such ilk. I’m sure that Jon could make a quite a bit of money by allowing many advertisements, scripts, or other content from unethical companies or individuals, however, he struggles to maintain a clean website. Another reason I believe in Jon’s integrity is the fact that he and his wife home schools their daughter. This shows that he puts his money where his mouth is. Homeschooling a child takes much more effort that sending a child to a government-run or private school. I respect him for his effort in doing the right thing.

I am sure Jon could do other things that will make much more money for him and his family such as working as a spin doctor (public relations writer) for one of the major cartels. If he publicly “changed his mind” and stated that file sharing is indeed evil, I’m sure that many companies would make sure that he would be sufficiently compensated. This type of mind change would be a nice feather in the cap for the media cartels. However, he struggles on with this website at personal expense. Jon is being sued for someone’s post on “Readers Write.” I’m sure that things would go much easier for him if he were to just give up his source. However, he has not done this and instead chooses to take the “hard road.” This is another reason that I know that he “not only talks the talk, but also walks the walk.”

I disagree with many people who visit this site and post replies because I believe that file sharing is in fact causing the media and software cartels a loss of income. This loss of income, however, cannot be blamed entirely on file sharers. However, I do not believe the cartel line that a file copied means a sale lost. I do not buy overpriced CD’s or DVD’s regardless of whether such works are available online.
For many years, the media and software cartels have been responsible for getting copyright laws written that only promote the interest of themselves. Sure, copyright laws should take in account the interest of those who create works, but they should also take into account the interests of the public as well. In many cases the voice of the common people is buried by the mainstream media, especially when the voice expresses an opinion contrary to the entrenched interests. Websites such as p2pnet makes sure many of these dissenting voices are heard.

It is only through websites such as this and many of the different file sharing methods do we ever have the hope of copyright reform. If people do not want to be forced to pay $35 for an online version of a book that costs $35 in a store, then they should support the likes of p2pnet. If people want to have a choice in the type of movies they watch or the music they hear, then they should support the likes of p2pnet. If people believe that the average “Joe or Jane” should have the opportunity to compete in the marketplace, then they should support the likes of p2pnet. If people believe in freedom of enterprise and freedom of speech for everyone, then they should support p2pnet and the likes of it.

If I sound like a fan boy of Jon’s website, it is because I am. I believe in what he is doing. I admire his courage in facing bullies with the big bank accounts and not backing down. I try to send him money whenever I can so that he can continue his efforts in making the world a better place. As far as I am concerned, Jon is a hero in performing an essential public service.

Cyberscan