Innovation – and the technology that comes from it – has made all of our lives better in almost incalculable ways. Whether its access to clean water, transportation that can take us anywhere we want to go, or the information revolution, many of us would be lost without these technologies. Yet when it comes to technology advancements, government often gets in the way. Rules and regulations make it difficult for innovators to improve our lives. Louisiana often lags behind in embracing new technology stifling innovation and job creation while also hurting consumers in the process.
I’ve Got The Power
I’ve Got The Power
Antitrust is now front and center in the national debate. Under the leadership of Lina Khan, the FTC has pursued an aggressive new “Neo-Brandeisian” philosophy of antitrust regulation—or, what you could call “hipster” antitrust. This philosophy believes antitrust should not be limited to the “consumer welfare standard” that has dominated antitrust legislation since the 1970s....
Big is Bad is Back
Big is Bad is Back
There are essentially two schools of thought when it comes to antitrust legislation: The Harvard School and the Chicago School. “The Harvard School is best summed up as: Big is Bad,” wrote Andy Kessler. This school of thought dominated antitrust legislation during the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. However, the Chicago school, emphasizing the consumer welfare...
Planes, trains, and…Facebook?
Planes, trains, and…Facebook?
The debate around whether government should regulate social media platforms centers on whether these companies are “common carriers”—that is, “a person or a commercial enterprise that transports passengers or goods for a fee and establishes that their service is open to the general public.” Historically, in American law, examples of this are railroads, airlines, ferries,...
That’s All Folks!
That’s All Folks!
For the past few months, we’ve written about a slew of bills that Congress was trying to ram through this lame-duck session, egregious government overreach from the head of the FTC, Lina Kahn, and poorly crafted regulatory bills from Florida and Texas that call for greater regulation of social media platforms. In the case of...
Sneaky, Sneaky, Sneaky
Sneaky, Sneaky, Sneaky
The Journalism Competition Preservation Act (JCPA) won’t go away. Now, there are reports that some are attempting to attach it to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), since it has failed to gain traction the last two years. The NDAA is a crucial bill for congress to pass, hence the hidden-not-hidden attempt to attach it....
A MySpace Monopoly? lol
A MySpace Monopoly? lol
Recently, I came across an article titled, “MySpace Is A Natural Monopoly,” written on January 17, 2007. The article is a great reminder that present concerns aren’t always justified and calls for government regulation shouldn’t be our first response. The author made the same arguments about MySpace that some are currently making regarding the tech platforms...
Antitrust or Anti-Consumer?
Antitrust or Anti-Consumer?
Last year, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the Open App Markets Act. The act is an attempt to prevent Apple and Google, who operate App Store and Google Play, from engaging in alleged “anti-competitive practices.” There are several concerns with the act, beginning with the fact that...
At the Intersection of Free Markets and Free Speech
At the Intersection of Free Markets and Free Speech
Elon Musk has bought Twitter, and now promises to protect free speech on the platform. Naturally, this prompted a slew of celebrities to proclaim they are leaving Twitter because they claim free speech is dead on the platform. Apparently, they are now gravitating towards platforms like Mastodon and Discord (though, there’s doubt this will last)....
Web3 101: The Building Blocks of a New Internet
Web3 101: The Building Blocks of a New Internet
What is the future of the internet? The internet changes so quickly and constantly that we often fail to notice the huge changes that occur every day, which drastically change the landscape over time. For example, a little over a decade ago, most Americans used a personal computer to interact online, today, most internet usage...
These New Orleans Kids are Using Web3 to Shape the Future
These New Orleans Kids are Using Web3 to Shape the Future
When looking at where the future of technology is going, it’s best not to ask people my age, but to look at how teenagers interact with technology. This week, I had the opportunity to see young people from New Orleans attend a summer camp with the Youth Empowerment Project. There, they learned from people like...
Eric Peterson Joins Jeff Crouere to Discuss the AICOA
Eric Peterson Joins Jeff Crouere to Discuss the AICOA
Eric Peterson, Director of the Tech and Innovation Center, joins Jeff Crouere’s Ringside Politics to discuss the American Innovation and Choice Online Act (AICOA). Click Here to Listen Online
Social Media Regulations Will Not Help Parents
Social Media Regulations Will Not Help Parents
As COVID-19 recedes and we can interact physically again, many are concerned about the amount of time young people are spending online. These concerns are especially pronounced for young people spending time on social media. As a result, lawmakers and policy professionals have suggested a variety of proposals that would do everything from banning algorithms...
Congress Is Trying to Get Rid of Generic Products Online
Congress Is Trying to Get Rid of Generic Products Online
With personal incomes in the Pelican State growing at one of the slowest rates in the nation and inflation at nearly ten percent, the average Louisianan is looking for any way to save a couple of dollars. While Louisianans are trying to stretch their budgets, everyday essentials like fuel, food, and clothing continue to cost...
Government Report Shows Why Billions in Spending Haven’t Closed Digital Divide
Government Report Shows Why Billions in Spending Haven’t Closed Digital Divide
One of the few policy agreements across state capitols and in Washington D.C. is the need to close the digital divide. COVID-19 laid bare the fact that too many rural Americans lack the ability to work from home or attend virtual learning due to poor broadband infrastructure. Despite the federal and state governments already spending...