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What does the net neutrality decision mean for you? Look to Portugal for an example
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The FCC announced on Tuesday that it plans to end net neutrality, a landmark set of regulations that allow equal access to the internet. - photo by Herb Scribner
The Federal Communications Commission announced on Tuesday that it plans to end net neutrality, a landmark set of regulations that allow equal access to the internet, according to The New York Times.

The decision paves the way for companies to charge more or block access to websites.

The FCCs repeal ends the regulations set out by the Obama administration, which prohibited high-speed internet service providers from blocking or slowing down the delivery websites, or charging extra fees for the best quality of streaming and other internet services for their subscribers, The New York Times reported.

So what does it mean for you? Take a look at Portugal.

Portugal similarly doesnt have net neutrality, which gives internet providers a chance to split the internet into packages, as this one tweet from Ro Khanna, an academic and Silicon Valley entrepreneur, explains.

Khanna, who advocated to save net neutrality, said that theres an advantage for companies, but startups will struggle to get their content in front of people.

(Thats) a huge advantage for entrenched companies, but it totally ices out startups trying to get in front of people which stifles innovation, he wrote. This is whats at stake and thats why we have to save net neutrality.

Quartz further delved into the Portugal model, saying that the countrys mobile internet is bundled like a cable package.

Basically, Portugal offers customers data plans that are limited to specific apps. One might include social media apps, while others contain emailing and messaging apps. People would then have to pay more for faster internet, or certain apps and websites.

All this is to say telecom giants, like AT&T and Comcast, will emerge from winners of this fight. These companies have lobbied for a long time to end net neutrality.

Meanwhile, companies and internet sites will struggle to make sure their websites are seen iby customers.

Under my proposal, the federal government will stop micromanaging the internet, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said in a statement. Instead, the FCC would simply require internet service providers to be transparent about their practices so that consumers can buy the service plan thats best for them and entrepreneurs and other small businesses can have the technical information they need to innovate.

Former Democratic FCC chairman Tom Wheeler said the movie is tragic, according to The Washington Post.

"The job of the FCC is to represent the consumer," he said in an interview. "Tragically, this decision is only for the benefit of the largely monopoly services that deliver the internet to the consumer."
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
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A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.