Exploring the possible ways that the Internet could fragment by understanding how it works.
When you clicked on this article, it is shown on your computer. This may seem trivial, but there is a whole chain of dependencies that make this possible.
client -| |- server
For any two computers to communicate, they have to be connected.
- directly connect each computer
- group computers by area - emergence of HUBs
Client
ISP connection to the internet
Infrastructure Investments
the larger picture
ISP hierarchy
? Even if the some part of the communication is wireless (as is the case for WiFi and LTE), a significant portion includes long, physical cables.?
Terrestrial cables Undersea cables
Satellites launched, maintained
Ongoing Service
first, lets get the not directly related to the Internet, but a critical dependency nonetheless.
This complex system depends on another largely complex system.
Electrical power generation and distribution generation overview
Technical expertise for maintainence
Software
evolving
Firmware - routers, NIC Communication standards (DNS) Firewalls
Server
hosting provider (ongoing cost) software updates and configuration
Too Much Information
There are just too many sources. How many websites/webpages on the internet - Google crawled?
need for search engines
increasing dominance of autonomous search engines powered by data collection - no direct input (social media algorithsm) follow what I do, not what I say
A Vision for the Future
Give back control to the end user. Minimize dependencies - become independent. Encourage freedom within reason.
There are countless valuable resources on the internet. If you find something useful and have the capacity, please archive it. There is no guarantee that it will be available in the future.