Other requirements
12 pt., Times New Roman, double space, one inch and/or reasonable margins.
This paper is four to five pages in total length. The page count does not include the personal preface and work cited pages. The total length of the paper must be seven-eight pages when all elements are included.
Goals of the essay
A well-developed, well-organized, well-focused essay will include the following:
An introduction which provides your reader with the necessary background information s/he will need in order to understand the topic of your essay.
A clearly–stated thesis at the end of your introduction which presents your overall argument and which directly answers the essay prompt question.
Well-organized paragraphs containing topic sentences supported by details, explanation, and analysis.
Evidence from Taylor’s text to support your argument.
Correct use of MLA format for both parenthetical references to the text (quotations and paraphrase) as well as a Works Cited page at the end of your essay.
A counter-argument (either as a separate paragraph or within several of your body paragraphs).
Use of FANBOYS, subordinators, and noun phrase appositives (at least 3 NPAs) to show relationships between ideas and to give variety and complexity to your sentences.
Careful and thorough proofreading.
Personal Preface: write a short preface to the essay (one paragraph) where you discuss what it was like to think about and do research on this topic.
Body of the paper: this is the main section of the essay and it must be 4-5 full pages of written text.
Works cited page: find at least two outside sources to include in this essay.
Do you agree or disagree with Astra Taylor’s ideas for reform of the existing internet? Based on your research, what proposals for reform of the internet are you making?
Detailed Description of Assignment
For this assignment, use Astra Taylor’s concluding manifesto, “In Defense of the Commons,” in The People’s Platform, for an analysis on the topic of reform of the existing internet. This paper will also develop into a discussion of your own thoughts on how the internet should or should not change. Begin by carefully reading and taking notes on her argument.
Taylor approaches the subject of internet reforms by way of a concept she calls “sustainable culture” (Taylor 214) a concept she derives from the ethical consumption and sustainable food movements; “sustainable culture” develops from the way she analyzes the significance of copyright and internet commercialization in her book as a whole. Here is a list of some of the main elements in her internet reform agenda
She calls for more regulation of the service providers and major platforms.
She calls for improved broadband provision, so that more people and communities have access to high-speed internet.
She wants the introduction of a kind of Glass–Steagall of new media, to force a separation of content creation from communication or distribution; this is an idea she adopts from Tim Wu (he calls it the “separations principle”).
She calls for the levying of a tax on the advertising industry.
She wants to pressure Silicon Valley to pay tax at higher rates.
She calls for more public spending on the ‘cultural commons’, the arts and public broadcasting