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26 May 2009 09:05

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Politics, Tech: Here’s a random argument in favor of taxing e-mail

  • The tax will not stop unsolicited communications, just as post charges limit, but do not kill, junk mail. An email tax would force senders to apply a simple test: is this message worth a penny to send?
  • Prospect Magazine contributor Edward Gottesman • On the idea of taxing e-mail as a way to stop spam. Gottesman, chairman of an international investment company and a lawyer, says the minimal charge – just like sending a letter – would help deter spammers without limiting e-mail communications. One problem, dude: E-mail’s already so last century. Everyone’s just going to use Facebook or Twitter instead and e-mail would become irrelevant. • source