For me this started over a discussion with Gervase Markham on the Mozilla Manifesto.
My question was whether point 10 ...
"Magnifying the public benefit aspects of the Internet is an important goal, worthy of time, attention and commitment."
... is a role for private company.
After some discussion I resolved this issue within my own mind using a "flip" test.
"If the internet was a propriatory system controlled by a small number of self interested groups, would a company be willing to promote the opening up of the internet as an infrastructual good for the greater good of society and itself."
Obviously enough, if you're not part of the small controlling group or you believe that the internet serves humanity better as an infrastructural good or you believe in liberty in communication - then of course you would!
This led me to the concepts of net neutrality. Now if you don't know about this - then watch the video, it's old but useful.
For more info see Save the Internet and their video.
