Obviously this is a highly simplified question. Internet governance is a complex topic, but from your experience and perspective, are ISPs "evil"? Who really has the power over the Internet?
Caveat: there are a lot of non-ISP entities in that diagram, and they are often more motivated by control and political power than direct profit. But, I'm going to assume you really do mean ISPs.
The answer:
ISPs are driven by profit and the need to provide acceptable service to their customers.
"Acceptable" being defined as "enough so that they don't quit being customers".
Sometimes, an upstart ISP will show up and offer exceptional service at remarkable rates. However, they often fail, run out of funds, or are acquired by an equity firm or a larger ISP. At that point, their focus is shifted back to profit and delivering only acceptable service.
i agree with this statement, but i still think i want answers to both of these questions. while the latter question has a real answer that is easier to reason about and makes it easier to arrive at a conclusion that people generally agree on, i think what i am really looking for is a debate/discussion between educated people. i have no idea how to spark something like that, and this was my attempt to do so. obviously not everyone thinks ISPs are evil, and that is what interests me. why do some people think they are and what motivations lead them to that belief?
> But, I'm going to assume you really do mean ISPs.
yes -- correct!
> The answer
insightful take. i like your answer. would you say that running an ISP is similar to running any other company? why do you think an ISP that offers exceptional service at remarkably low rates would eventually fail or run out of funds? if such a company gets acquired by another firm and its focus shifts back to profit, would you say that its motivation was not profit before it was acquired?
:o)