WiFi and Knowledge For All
On a biological level, WiFi is not as necessary as water, but I think it can be argued that having the capability to access the information available on the Internet is conducive to survival in society today. The advent of indoor plumbing was such an improvement for humanity, wouldn’t you agree? Electricity in homes was another bonus. Two developments that improved our lives immensely, were momentous when first implemented, were at first only available to the wealthy, and are now so standard in American society that to lack electricity or running water is a sign of poverty, a natural disaster, or camping.
The concept of Public Internet is following a similar path. It’s quickly becoming necessary (to the point of being taken for granted) that of course everyone in America has access to the Internet and all the knowledge and information contained therein. Online information can be found, maintained, and more inexpensively and instantly updated than its hardcopy counterparts. Much like public utilities, once the infrastructure is in place, WiFi should be available to everyone, regardless of the real estate values in their neighborhood.
I’ve never understood, nor have I agreed with, the idea that knowledge should be accessible only to the dudes with the most cash. The printing press and public library systems are two of my favorite human ideas–they rank right up there with matches, tape, Ziploc bags, wet-wipes and cell phones. I think we’re all familiar with how pissed the powerful religious types and the wealthier citizens were when the printing press fell into the hands of the uneducated masses. Suffice it to say, those in control preferred an uninformed public and the printing press meant newly clued-in hordes of poor people. Historically speaking, that has rarely gone well for those in charge.
I’m not saying The Powers That Be are preventing the spread of public WiFi as a way to control the masses. I’m sure it’s got much more to do with profit than with keeping the little people down. In case there was any confusion, neither of those reasons is valid. Education and information should be available to everyone. If humans have figured something out, we should all get to learn about it. ‘Those With Access to the Most Knowledge Win’ is a dumb game. Doesn’t it seem in our best interest (as humans, I mean) to collectively know more? I’m not a hippie or a communist or a socialist or an ist of any kind. I avoid grouping and clubs and labels. I’m just cranky me with an overly black-and-white view of the rules, and it just seems that keeping information out of someone’s hands for profit or control clearly falls under the ‘Wrong’ category.
If you have Internet access you can read more about those fighting the good fight:
NPR’s On the Media: The Last Shall Be First
The Battle For a Public Internet
Internet Archive Brings Free High-Speed Internet to Public Housing
Muni Wi-Fi Powers Hope at San Francisco Housing Project
Where’s My Free Wi-Fi?
Internet Archive
Low-Income Residents Get High-Speed Access
Posted by Alexa Harrington
