Internet Censorship

Source: http://www.conservativeactionalerts.com

For my WP#3 I decided to cover the topic of internet censorship. The internet is something we all encounter on a daily basis; in fact, this class would probably not be possible in it's current condition without the internet. As a potential outlet for us to express ourselves, whether anonymously on a website or publicly on a social media site, it is not unlike newspapers or "real world" avenues. Due to that, should the world wide web be regulated?  Is it the government's place to monitor and supervise a place where people can literally say anything with little to no consequences.

The picture above describes the situation perfectly. In the picture we see many cords, notably Ethernet cords which allow a computer or device to connect to the internet, with a padlock around them. The image itself presents a strong message: the internet is not "truly" free. The viewer can initially assume the lock does not belong to whoever the cords belong to. While the lock doesn't necessarily do anything in the practical sense of the picture, the message it conveys argues that the internet is "locked up".

One of the most striking aspects of the picture is the color contrast used in it. The lock, background, and (I'm assuming) modem are all white or silver. The amount of white in the picture is overwhelming. The blue cables stand out very well against the white, possibly attracting the viewers attention. The red connector on the furthermost cable also stands out. Perhaps it is meant to signify the connecting point between the computer and the internet, or rather the author and the internet? In that case, then the white can also double as a whiteboard or paper for the author to write their feelings, beliefs, or stances.

Visual rhetoric is very important in today's society. We are attracted to it subtly and many of us do not even realize it. Are there any other aspects in this picture that you can point out?