Modern Geekery

What is Geoblocking? It’s a sneaky bit of tech-fu wherein a webmaster blocks a certain range of IP addresses. Or put more simply, it stops certain countries from looking at a website. It’s used almost exclusively by TV networks to prevent people outside of the U.S. from accessing their web content.

Why? To make more money. The producers of the blocked content are trying desperately to stop other countries from seeing what they’re posting free for Americans so that they can sell the rights to broadcast said content in these countries. I recently ran into Geoblocking when I tried to check out “Gemini Division,” the new web-only sci-fi series starring Rosario Dawson. I live in Toronto and apparently we’ll have to wait for a Canadian distributor to buy and release the show before viewing it. Although, after watching the trailer on YouTube, I wasn’t quite as upset at missing this one…

This geek is worried. It’s called the World Wide Web. We should be using the Internet to move towards a global community, not to build more walls. And we especially shouldn’t be blocking entertainment. There might be a valid argument to block sensitive news items or documents from other countries in times of war, but I think we’re safe to let the world watch “30 Rock.” In fact, it’s important to let differing countries see each other’s entertainment. Peace comes through understanding, and what better way to understand a people than by experiencing what makes them laugh?

End Geoblocking Now!

PS – I’ve blocked Japan from viewing this post.  I’m hoping to sell the rights to them for a hefty sum.