Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Water, Gas, Electric. . .


At the heart of much speculative fiction (and fiction in general) is a question. What if? On Tuesdays I like to throw one out there and see what you make of it. Do with it as you please. If a for-instance is not specified, feel free to interpret that instance as you wish. And if you find this becomes a novel-length answer, I'd appreciate a thank you in the acknowledgements. 😉

What if internet connectivity (wifi) was a public utility?
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14 comments:

  1. Alex J. CavanaughSeptember 15, 2020 at 9:32 AM

    It would either be a lot more expensive or much cheaper, not sure which.

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  2. songbird's crazy worldSeptember 15, 2020 at 9:35 AM

    Children would not be doing homework at Taco Bell because it’s their only wi fi access

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  3. MarthaSeptember 15, 2020 at 9:57 AM

    I'm not sure if it would make any difference. What do you think?

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  4. L. Diane WolfeSeptember 15, 2020 at 11:32 AM

    Not sure it would make much difference either.

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  5. J E OneilSeptember 15, 2020 at 11:32 AM

    Hopefully it would be another step towards keeping net neutrality.

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  6. bookwormSeptember 15, 2020 at 3:47 PM

    It should be, Liz. Many rural areas still don't have good internet access - this is true just miles from where I live, in New York State! (In these days of schools needing to prepare for the possibility of going fully remote, that access is badly needed.) It also needs to be affordable. And yes, net neutrality.

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    1. Liz A.September 15, 2020 at 5:54 PM

      The reason the question occurred to me is because of distance learning. This week and last week I've really seen how vital it is.

      Delete
  7. bettySeptember 15, 2020 at 5:32 PM

    Could be a monopoly then and I don't think it would be cheaper. It would be an interesting thought though but except for these days it's not necessarily essential like water and heat so it should be optional if it was public and not required.

    Betty

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  8. Magical Mystical MimiSeptember 15, 2020 at 8:03 PM

    It sure would help those without it at the moment, maybe, they'd still have to pay but maybe they'd get a break on it. Anymore I think it's something all households should have.

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    1. Liz A.September 16, 2020 at 8:34 AM

      Considering how much the schools are relying on it right now. . .

      Delete
  9. rudraprayagaSeptember 15, 2020 at 11:08 PM

    Benefiting and misusing will be there as in every such thing. Those who cannot afford to it will get a reach, at the same time leaving all the activities, some people will stagnate in front of a screen.

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    Replies
    1. Liz A.September 16, 2020 at 8:35 AM

      True. But I wonder what people thought of electricity back when it was new.

      Delete

I appreciate your comments.

I respond to comments* via email, unless your profile email is not enabled. Then, I'll reply in the comment thread. Eventually. Probably.

*Exception: I do not respond to "what if?" comments, but I do read them all. Those questions are open to your interpretation, and I don't wish to limit your imagination by what I thought the question was supposed to be.

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