Thanks for the write-up, and don't worry about the length (the longer the better). This is long-form content I'd love to see more of on SN (I should be the change I want to see and write stuff myself).
With the other Starlink Direct to Cell post on SN today I feel a little bit uncomfortable that all of this foundational infrastructure (physical AND digital interconnectors) are so centralised. As you mentioned, individuals can run their own energy infrastructure, but I haven't really heard of people running their own internet (waiting for @davidw's post on the future internet).
My two cents on your writing (meant as constructive criticism). You hooked me with the history of the transatlantic cable, and gave a great overview of interconnectors, but then lost me with (what seemed to me) a confusing detour into public miners and oil prices. Interesting detours, to be sure -- but as someone with no prior experience, i would appreciate some signboarding to explain how those things are relevant to your central thesis (which you laid out nicely in your conclusion). Cheers
Thanks for posting that link to Starlink. I had already uncovered this was likely to be announced this quarter. They had those agreements (as back-up coverage) with networks for over a year in some cases. But now they have an official offering.
SpaceX really are on track to grow Starlink exponentially. It can either be a huge level-up or get even more centralised & monopolised. As you say, this is the danger. That’s what I hope to uncover & let the reader form their opinion on, once finished.
Next spin-off to follow may well be digging deeper into mesh networking, if any readers have useful resources on that topic.
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I don't have any resources to offer, but casting my vote for some SN content wrt mesh. I was super excited to hear about goTenna back when, but then they dropped out of the news.
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Will be interesting to see how fast Amazon's Starlink competitor Kuiper can gain network effects. Mesh nets are awesome tho. Time to challenge ISPs. Probably a decade out, but we keep getting nuggets here and there.
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Good criticism, was definitely a rant by me regarding miners and oil. I think I still harbor a bunch of unresolved anger after certain revelations and blowups last year lol. Good Starlink link.
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