I bike in Toronto. I’ve been hit by a car (and walked away), slipped on street car tracks, cussed out and been cussed out. It’s a great way to get around, but it can be tough out there.

The Internet does many things. It acts as a vast conduit for ideas and creativity. It connects far-flung corners of the world in ways never thought possible. It brings us cats with odd captions. And, it is the greatest porn distribution network in the history of mankind.

We can add a fifth item to this list of wonders: it is also a land of mighty over-reaction.

I'm monitoring Twitter for reaction to the CRTC hearings on Internet regulation, and people are furious. How dare the CRTC even consider laying one filthy, regulatory finger on the Internet? And while I'm no fan of the CRTC, and a huge fan of Net Neutrality, I can't help but think this is all a bit past the point.

It's a good day if you like any combination of the following: the Internet, Canadian film, free stuff, and enlightened copyright practices.

The National Film Board of Canada has put its archives online, all 100 per cent free and awesome. There are 700 films up already, with more on the way. This is a good thing. Not only does it give Canadians unrestricted access to a big chunk of their cultural history, but it may also help the NFB sell more of their films. And when you sell more, you make more money. Money that can be used to support more great Canadian films.

Ah, Web 2.0. You make everything more interesting.