I live in Europe and when I was in school we learned about the "American job mobility" as a driving factor for the economical success of the US.
I understand this applies to mobility within the US but it does indicate a certain mindset.<p>Given the scenario that<p><pre><code> - a bill like SOPA passes
- it is being enforced, creates a controlled internet and thus substantially threatens your business model as well as free speech.
- the current status quo (or "better") of the internet is being maintained in most of the world.
</code></pre>
Would you leave the US?<p><pre><code> - If not, how would you adapt?
- If yes, where would you go and why?</code></pre>
I was already planning on leaving the US for similar reasons, and SOPA isn't doing the US's case any favors. The fact of the matter is that the US can no longer claim it holds a monopoly on a first-world quality of life the way it could in the past. The US hasn't taken itself seriously as a country for a while, and I don't see any reason to stick around and subject my family to whatever comes down the pipeline.<p>I'm planning to head to Australia for a number of reasons, some personal, some political. I've decided to effectively vote with my feet. I'm an intelligent, successful person and I see no reason to put up with a government that seems to take me for granted while it can't even do its most basic job. The world is getting smaller every day, and things like Skype mean that a move like this doesn't entail cutting all ties with family in the way it used to. Why put up with a country that acts like it doesn't want you?
Interesting question.<p>As I've been reading the developments of the SOPA legislation, the very thought occurred to me of what would happen if it passes, and whether I would consider leaving in the near or long term.<p>The problem is that once it gets to the point where it makes sense for intelligent people to think about leaving, it will become very difficult to do so. The trick is to leave before it gets really bad-- but how to know when that is.<p>And then there is the question of where can we go?<p>Canada is the first thought, but it's not easy to emigrate there from what I understand.
And Europe? Without an EU passport forget, about it unless you have very exceptional skills.<p>I lived in Japan for some years and would also consider there or another East Asian country, but even for those who know Japanese, for example, it is not easy to secure employment except in very specific industries.<p>I'm curious to hear what others have to say about this question.
If I had the resources, yes.(I'd either go to Norway or Australia, I'm not sure which) Unfortunately, I can't afford to leave the city I live in now, let alone the entire country.