I disagree with the sentiments of some pundits that technology has to be simplified (or dumb downed) in order to be understood by the “normals.” Rather, I believe we are living in a time where technology has gone remarkably mainstream and its lingo is understood by more people than ever. For two year’s running in his State of the Union address, President Obama has name checked companies such as Apple and Google. Technology is now an important part of modern day culture. As a result, it is no surprise that people are beginning to understand concepts such as throttling data in the context of their monthly smartphone data plan, not being able to tether or use FaceTime or Hangouts without a special plan.

Without Net Neutrality, ISPs can increase their bottom line by segregating their network so that some internet services (say their own services) get priority over that of their competition. Imagine a world where some websites are only available if they strike a deal with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to make sure their content is visible to users of that ISP. It will be a draconian day when choosing your ISP also requires you to factor what websites you want to see and can visit (sounds like cable channel packages).

We, the connoisseurs of technology, alone cannot stand up for this cause. Everyday people are beginning understand what Net Neutrality is and why it’s important. Net Neutrality is the idea that ISPs cannot make anything run faster or slower on their network, nor can they decide what websites people can visit.

In attending high school, I have mostly known what my friends’ interests are: technology goes as far as smartphones and apps. As a result, it was a pleasant surprise to me when I began to see my friends post on Facebook this We the People petition to the White House asking the FCC to insure net neutrality. (The idea of We the People is that petitions that get 100,000 signatures are insured a response from the White House.) I was filled with a remarkable sense of hope that my young friends are caring about such an important issue. One friend wrote a passionate paragraph encouraging others to sign the petition.