[alexandercrohde]

Looks like there are about 255,640-460,552 truly unique (i.e. hand-written) comments roughly (1-2%).

SELECT count(1) as cnt, substr(comment, 0,30) as abbrev_comment FROM [jyang:fcc_ecfs.17108_comments] GROUP BY abbrev_comment order by cnt DESC LIMIT 1000000

[willvarfar]

Often, when members of the public are encouraged to petition for something, those doing the encouraging also provide form letters to which the petitioner just has to add their signature.

That the contents are identical doesn't mean that real different people didn't send them.

[hulahoof]

Extremely valid observation, I would just like to add that the grandparent post referenced hand written specifically, which is just as important when the outcome isn't binary.

[willvarfar]

I think they meant "hand written" as "unique", rather than "written by hand on paper and posted"? The query they show is just counting the unique first 30 chars (and would count form letters less than 30 chars where the name on the end makes them unique too etc).

[_5ysi]

Yes this is true but it is not a productive practice nor helpful. These responses are supposed to be comments; well formed opinions and policy suggestions which policy makers can read to gain perspective. Its not a system for voting.

It is OK to think that US citizens should have a more direct, democratic say in the power structures that control the internet. But FCC comments can never be a good vehicle for this. To those currently upset at the FCC over the rollback of an Obama era rule, I would invite you to critically consider what parts of the communications acts are actually constitutional and whether photons superimposed across state lines should fall under the scope of the interstate commerce clause or the bill of rights.