[everforward]

Whether the FCC has the authority to regulate visible light wasn't particularly the point, though it is an interesting question. This article [1] was pretty interesting; the Telecommunications Act of 1996 does not restrict their authority by medium in several locations. If the medium is used for telecommunications, they may already have the authority to regulate it. The article in question is talking about lasers, but the same thing would apply to visible light if it were used for telecommunications.

The point I was trying to make is that these are practically the same thing just shifted around in wavelength. That it's somehow reasonable for the FCC to regulate some wavelengths of EM, but "reducto ad absurd" to propose that they could regulate others.

I agree, it would be absurd for the FCC to regulate visible light. I just think it's also absurd for them to plant their flag in another wavelength. I don't think anyone can "own" a wavelength anymore than they can own a particular level of gravity or voltage.

1: https://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?...

[carbotaniuman]

I mean it does feel right for the government to regulate visible light? The same way you can't have flashing lights on the road or have a massive blinding beacon in your backward, you can't yell on the airwaves. I'm sure if visible light could be seen from halfway across the globe, we would also have that regulated.