The Rose Cafe featuring Indiana University economics professor Jeff Prince was my first experience with Rose Cafes and I was honestly surprised at the thought provoking nature of the discussion we had regarding internet adoption, marketing, and neutrality of the internet. Dr. Jeff Prince is an experienced economist who has had the opportunity to research and experience the growth of the internet to its current state and brought interesting case studies and insight into the future of the market. His background in marketing allowed for a more nuanced discussion concerning the popular topic of net neutrality that I highly appreciated.

When net neutrality is discussed in media, think comedy shows and magazines, the debate is pretty one sided with the opposition bringing up very valid arguments against the idea of placing the internet in a more free market environment. The common argument that has been the foundation for current regulation was the opposition towards innovation stifling by larger companies who could dominate the free-market of the internet should net neutrality end. The Rose Cafe helped discuss what proponents of ceasing net neutrality don’t often get to communicate to customers. In essence, ending net neutrality could theoretically aid everyone from business to consumers by allowing the usual benefits of the free market, which would be competition leading to better products for lower prices. The idea of ending net neutrality never really entered my mind, but when put into a market perspective, I am a supporter of competition and relaxing regulations for certain businesses and this Rose Cafe helped me see the internet more as a business waiting to flourish. It’s a lot to trust companies with serving consumers if net neutrality is ended which is why I still side with net neutrality, but there are definitely arguments to be made against that shouldn’t be overlooked just because supporting net neutrality is popular.

Also in the discussion was some good dialogue concerning certain internet terms and how exactly the internet is priced. The very necessary distinction between the supply and demand side of the internet in the net neutrality debate was also mentioned and possibly soothed some misplaced worries that some people may have had when imagining the end of net neutrality. Consuming information from the media has helped in understanding the broader details, but I definitely believe some type of internet literacy course that touches on regulations is necessary for everyone considering that this age is defined by the connectivity of the internet.