Step 13; Apollo Phase 1: Local Network

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In our modern age, a home internet connection should be considered a basic utility: like indoor plumbing and electricity, not technically a necessity for survival, but so crucial for modern life as to be considered a given by employers and schools. Internet service in America is a mess, largely due to an oligopoly held by the largest service provider corporations, and those same companies have lobbied the federal government to make it illegal for cities to build their own network. Service is unreliable, slow, and spotty, and on top of all that, expensive—comparatively far worse than other industrialized nations. Building your own internet service, however, is either illegal or impossible–so we’re trapped with limited options. We also enjoy very little privacy online, as numerous occasions have shown to us that our online presence is constantly recorded and used to manipulate or surveil us. A lot of people value their privacy very highly, while others are unconcerned—but I believe with such an internet-based international industry and economy, we should have as easy and inexpensive access to reliable, strong internet as we do electricity and water, without concern over how the provider might use the service against us or sell our data.

 

In Augury, direct access to undersea communications cables will allow the Apollo department to hardwire fiber-optic ethernet connections all over the city. Bermuda, for example, is connected to five undersea cables: GlobeNet, Gemini Bermuda, Caribbean Bermuda U.S., and Challenger Bermuda 1. This direct connection will be open-access to all citizens. Any citizen will be able to visit the Apollo department section of the Augury city website for metrics on speed, bandwidth, cost, and so on. Cost of maintaining the internet connection will be taken from the national income, at no additional charge to all citizens. Unfortunately, it may be unwise to offer unlimited data as some individuals might abuse this and transmit enormous quantities of data—if there is a monthly data limit, it should be so high that the average user never even approaches it. 800 GB of data per month is a common limit from cell providers. Visitors will have access to a separate network, so that heavy tourism does not interfere with citizens’ online activities.

 

Pornography websites should be blocked, for reasons outlined on the Mentality page: Mental, Emotional, & Social Health: Addiction.

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Radio EMF Concerns

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In the enclosed environment of Augury, radiation from low frequency (like radio waves) electromagnetic fields (EMF) from devices like power transmission lines and wireless networks may be of greater concern. Note that this radiation is low-frequency but not low energy. On the surface, this energy can radiate out into the air and dissipate, but with Augury’s thick stone walls, we are more likely to be exposed. “The World Health Organization…classifies extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields as possibly carcinogenic to humans based on limited evidence…however, scientific studies have not consistently shown whether exposure to any source of EMF increases cancer risk.” Furthermore, though research data is similarly limited, “honeybees are sensitive to pulsed electromagnetic fields generated by [wireless technology,” which can temporarily disorient them; this phenomenon may also affect other animals like birds and fish which possess magnetoreception. In an environment saturated with radiant energy, honey bees might be stressed and dissuaded from establishing hives or producing honey. The best way to mitigate these risks may require further research, but wired data technology should be preferred in Augury and wifi transmitters should be minimized in the atriums. If analog/lower power radio signals do not have the same negative effects as digital, handheld transceivers (walkie talkies) or something similar can be used for short range communication. Though it is an extreme measure, protecting atriums in a Faraday cage would protect them from overwhelming EMFs. However: while this issue should be monitored, it is highly unlikely to warrant any serious action. Bees are adaptable and given time and generations, will adjust to the unusual environment. Power transmission lines should be safe if properly shielded and insulated, and should also be outfitted with ground fault circuit (GFC) sensors, as current leakage into ocean water is a concern.