Sunday Open Thread 03-15-15
Good morning 99percenters!
How’s your internet service these days? Odds are pretty good it’s shitty and slow. There’s been a lot of chatter about “net neutrality” and can the internet “be saved” lately while some important questions about its structure and stability have been ignored. Fact is the internet is fundamentally broken.
There are two big problems. First, most internet connections rely on copper cable - the same copper cable our telephone land line system was built on - at some point in the transmission. (Psst! Copper = Slow. It wasn’t built to handle audio or streaming video.) Second, there’s a clunky bureaucracy of tiers, or exchange points, that all data must pass through going from point A to point B - which can include stops at point C, point D, point E and more along the way.
So, let’s cut to the chase. Is there a way to fix the mess? Yes. It's called fiber. Fiber optic cable municipal broadband networks to be precise.
How would this work? Think municipal water systems. Think municipal sewers. Think streets and highways. Think public education. Think about the social security administration. They work. Is it cheap? That's a relative judgment but civilization has a price. And honestly, what difference should it make if it’s something that benefits our society?
After all, how much have we spent on wars, other wars, and more wars that serve no purpose? How about something for the people!
The article I linked to above has a great explanation and illustration of the labyrinth data moves through on the internet. It’s worth your time.
Last but never least, this is an open thread so tell us what’s on your mind today. Anyone else waiting for the NCAA brackets this evening?
Comments
Top o' the morning from Dresden, Germany
Actually, it's 2 pm here.
Recuperating from yesterday's exertions accompanying a couple of cosplaying teens to the Leipzig book fair.
Hey
Dresden is home to one of the better beers in the world. Scratch that, I just looked, Radeberger is out of business.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Is that a very recent development?
Or do you mean that what is now called the Radeberger Gruppe (part of the Dr. Oetker food conglomerate) really some other set of breweries in disguise, and the original Radeberger is out of business?
I went to a Dresden site
... and it said the brewery was closed. I didn't check to see if they moved production. I am glad Radeberger is still around.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Dresden is on my to-visit list
We passed through it on our way from Berlin to Prague. Our schedule didn't allow for a stopover.
With the dollar so strong, I'm tempted to burn some airline miles for a trans-Atlantic ticket. I did a little back-of-the-envelope calculation and discovered that beer is cheaper in Germany than it is at home. Not to mention better than the big American brands.
Morning Everyone
It's spring time outside. It rained all day Saturday. The air is superb, clear blue skies and ~60 @ 10 AM. Happy Sunday.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Morning NCTim and Caucusians
I heard yesterday for the first time a group ZydecoJed in my neighborhood cafe and it was great. So, next time they pass by, I try to record and film them. Ha. Everybody was smiling, dancing, clapping, whistling. They played just for tips. Good guys. I liked their music quite a bit.
Had to overcome my terrible shyness to go out by myself and sit down to listen to them. Saw a lot of older women having no problem to simply dance and shake to the music and be happy. I want to capture that on film.
Have you heard about them? http://www.zydecojed.com/
Everyone have a fine Sunday.
Hey Mimi
Zydeco is allot of fun, and one of the reasons I love visiting New Orleans. It reminds me of a Polish wedding. Food, drinking, accordion music and dancing!
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -