OP was taking about Tumblr, but I think it applies even more to the Fediverse: users need to develop an ethos of paying to support the sites they use. Otherwise advertisers pay the bills and call the shots.

    • ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Worked just fine in Switzerland and Spain which are both comparable in speeds to the US while being significantly cheaper. It’s also worth mentioning that these countries provide universal broadband service to all citizens.

        • ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          The reason Latvia has fast Internet is the state owned telecom invested in fiber and private companies had to step up to compete. The government also heavily regulates to prevent monopolies so there is ample competition to bring prices down.

          Internet in the US is what happens when there isn’t enough government involvement in the telecom market.

            • ChonkyOwlbear@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              Latvia has the Competition Law which prevents monopolies and anticompetitive business practices. Government involvement is literally the only reason Latvia has good internet.

              Lack of government involvement results in what happened in the US where a few large ISPs buying up all the others leading to a total lack of competition or innovation.

              Fuck the “free market” myth.