Please don’t break the Internet, stop SOPA and PIPA

Today, you’ll notice that several sites including Wikipedia Google, Reddit, Boing Boing, Craigslist and several others have “gone dark” for a while or tweaked elements of their sites to combat SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect IP Act) legislation that’s currently worming its way through Congress.

What compelled them to do that? Simply, they’re bringing attention to bills that threaten to censor the Internet.

As someone who’s had his awesome words and graphics (humor me here) copy and pasted on sketchy sites with nary a credit, you don’t have to convince me that stealing is bad. But let’s not burn down the Internet to stop it.

I could on and on about how ruthlessly SOPA and PIPA would strip the Internet of what makes it, well, the Internet; demonizes innovation; and how it completely spits on quaint notions like due process… But you know, it’s better to form your own opinions.

If you make your livelihood on the Internet or use the Internet (if you’re reading this, that’s you!) get informed SOPA and PIPA. Here are some resources:

SOPA – Wikipedia
PIPA – Wikipedia
End Piracy, Not Liberty - Google
Goat and Koala Love - The Oatmeal (thanks @lieblink)
About SOPA - Craigslist
Stop Internet Blacklist Legislation – EFF
White House Statement
All About PIPA and SOPA, the Bills That Want to Censor Your Internet – Lifehacker
Why We’ve Censored Wired.com – Wired.com
SOPA Resistance Day - Ars Technica