PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS HOMEWORK! I INCLUDE ALL THE LINK VIDEOS BELOW.

What to Do: This exercise involves reading some recent articles about the state of high-speed internet in the United States and about mergers in the nation's cable industry. Access to high-speed internet at affordable rates for the entire US population has not kept pace with many other nations, the cable TV industry (which is the provider of most high speed internet at this time) has had numerous mergers in recent years with concentration of monopoly power, and there has been much debate about whether "net neutrality" (i.e. not allowing internet providers (i.e. cable companies) to provide preferential treatments to certain websites and customers over others) is desirable in the future, etc. The landscape of this criticial industry is changing dramatically; is this change for the good? or not? Who will win? and who will lose? Should the U.S. regulate the cable industry in the way we regulate other "natural monopolies" such as electric utilities? In this assignment, you will read some articles (and perhaps seek out additional viewpoints/articles of your own) about this crucial debate. Then, you will post your reactions to what you read and will make connections to course materials.

The links to the articles I want you to read/study are listed below:

(1) Transcript from a 2/6/2014 podcastfrom NPR's "Fresh Air" http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=272480919 .

Note: You may also listen to the podcast at http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2014/02/06/272480919/when-it-comes-to-high-speed-internet-u-s-falling-way-behind (and click on "Listen to the Story").

(2) New York Times article about the proposed merger between cable giants Comcast and Time Warner Cable found at http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/02/12/comcast-set-to-acquire-time-warner-cable/?_php=true&_type=blogs&emc=edit_na_20140212&_r=0

(3) The Pew Research Center chart illustrating the changing nature of the cable market in America over the past 20+ years found at http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/02/14/chart-of-the-week-a-long-history-of-cable-consolidation/

(4) New York Times article about former-President Obama's call for maintaining "net neutrality" at http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/11/technology/obama-net-neutrality-fcc.html?emc=edit_th_20141111&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=67350569&_r=0

(5) New York Times article about the February 2015 decision by the F.C.C. to adopt rules for internet providers that are similar to those for public utilities, in an attempt to maintain "net neutrality" --- http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/technology/net-neutrality-fcc-vote-internet-utility.html

(6) Recent New York Times article about the likelihood that President Trump's administration would (and did) roll back the "net neutrality" rules adopted under the Obama administration. -- https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/30/technology/net-neutrality.html

(7) Washington Post article about the recent (March 2019) bill to reinstate net neutrality rules -- https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/03/06/net-neutrality-is-back-play-democratic-lawmakers-announce-bill-heres-what-expect/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.d5674b0a0007

What to Write: Reflect and make a discussion board post that summarizes (a) what you learned from these articles and (b) your reaction to what you learned. In order to receive full credit, your post must discuss the connections to class material (e.g., "externalities in production and consumption," regulation, natural monopolies, competition, deadweight loss, etc.). End your post with a thought-provoking question for discussion.