The Internet's Underwater Cables \ stacker news ~videos

2705 sats \ 15 comments \ @Jon_Hodl 12 Nov videos

How does data move from one part of the internet to other parts of it? How do I access websites in Europe in under a second from my apartment in the US? I used to think it was just done wirelessly via satellites but moving that much data at high speeds requires a lot more than some sort of satellite uplink.

It turns out that there are actually a bunch of cables that run on the bottom of the ocean's floors to connect all of us around the world so we can send data between continents. What's even more fascinating is that they have been running underwater cables since before 1858 when they sent the first transatlantic telegraph.

This gif shows the underwater cables that connect all of us around the world.

These videos are also a great educational resource for learning how it all works with some good visual aid as well as a view inside of the ships that lay the cable on the ocean floor.

If you want a more in-depth understanding of what the ships look like and how the cables are spooled in the hull of a massive ship, this video provides a great explanation with visual aids.

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121 sats \ 0 replies \ @plebpoet 13 Nov

I wrote a poem once about this concept. Being a vulnerable nerd now to share it. Don't actually read this though

If this was 1822 I’d call across green seas for you, moaning my love in a solemn, dark, torrential note, like the light of the moon was curated by you.

It is 2020, regretfully. I could call across cell towers or the inky black cords bridging the world at the depths of the ocean because I think that’s the internet.

In the night every night you won’t hear it but they’re calling, probably transmitting blurry photos of a moon to an admirer by way of the highway of heavy machinery settled in the deep.

26 sats \ 3 replies \ @JesseJames 12 Nov

IMO, low orbit satellite relays should be the standard. We need more Elons..lol (or just more satellites)

187 sats \ 2 replies \ @Jon_Hodl OP 12 Nov

I think there should be a lot more mesh networks that relay data between local ground structures with some reliance on fiber optic, satellites, and balloons.

These would make local communication much more resilient and resistant to centralized control.

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @JesseJames 12 Nov

Ya, that's fine on land and in crowded areas (US, EU), but places like Australia or South America or Siberia :-) where you have less people and structures but still need some comms, I think sat coms is the only way... methinks