Andrew Blum: What is the Internet, really?

Summary

This script explores the physical reality of the Internet, challenging the notion of it being an intangible cloud. The speaker recounts his journey from observing the digital world on screens to visiting actual Internet infrastructures like data centers and undersea cables. He highlights the surprising physicality of Internet connections, from the intimate process of network routers linking in buildings to the vast expanse of undersea cables that form the backbone of global communication. The narrative emphasizes the importance of understanding the tangible origins and mechanisms that underpin our digital interactions.

Takeaways

• 🏛 The speaker, an architecture writer, discusses the tangible experience of architecture versus the intangible nature of the digital world.
• 🌐 The speaker's realization of a shift in his relationship with the physical world due to increased screen time, especially after getting an iPhone in 2007.
• 🔍 The contrast between the physical reality of the world and the perceived lack of physicality in the digital realm, as depicted by the famous Opte image of the Internet.
• 😲 The humorous yet profound moment when a squirrel chewing on a cable disrupts the speaker's Internet, highlighting the physical underpinnings of digital connectivity.
• 🌍 The speaker's journey to understand the physical infrastructure of the Internet, visiting data centers and buildings like 60 Hudson Street in New York.
• 🔌 The physical process of Internet connectivity, involving fiber optic cables and routers, which is both intimate and surprisingly simple.
• 🌊 The importance of undersea cables in creating a 'global village', and their role in connecting continents and facilitating global communication.
• 🚧 The physical process of laying undersea cables, involving specialized ships and significant manual labor, as well as the strategic importance of these cables to countries.
• 🌐 The speaker's reflection on the metaphorical 'cloud' and the tendency of people to disengage from the physical reality of the Internet once it's 'in the cloud'.
• 👷‍♂️ The cultural and historical continuity in the process of laying communication cables, despite the advanced technology involved.
• 🌟 The call to awareness for the physical origins and infrastructure of the Internet, advocating for a deeper understanding of what connects us in the digital age.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the speaker's work?

The speaker primarily focuses on writing about architecture and the design of buildings and cities.

How has the speaker's experience of the physical world changed over the years?

The speaker's experience of the physical world has changed due to the increasing amount of time spent in front of screens, both at work and on mobile devices, which has divided their attention between the digital and the physical.

What surprised the speaker about their relationship with the physical world?

The speaker was surprised by how quickly their relationship with the physical world changed after the advent of smartphones, leading to a constant division of attention between screens and the world around them.

What did the speaker find striking about the world inside the computer screen?

The speaker found it striking that the world inside the computer screen seemed to have no physical reality of its own, often depicted as an infinite expanse like the Milky Way.

How did the speaker's perception of the Internet change after their Internet broke?

After their Internet broke and was found to be chewed by a squirrel, the speaker began to see the Internet not just as an abstract concept but as a physical entity that could be damaged in the real world.

What did the speaker discover about the physical nature of the Internet?

The speaker discovered that the Internet has a physical presence in the form of data centers, buildings like 60 Hudson Street in New York, and undersea cables that connect different parts of the world.

Why is 60 Hudson Street significant in the context of the Internet?

60 Hudson Street is significant because it is one of the few buildings where a large number of Internet networks connect to each other, making it a crucial physical hub for Internet connectivity.

What role do undersea cables play in the global connectivity of the Internet?

Undersea cables play a vital role in global Internet connectivity by connecting different continents and ensuring a permanent and robust connection that is not tenuous.

How are undersea cables physically connected to the land?

Undersea cables are physically connected to the land through a process that involves bringing the cable to shore, cutting the buoys to let the cable sink to the sea floor, and then connecting it to a landing station on land.

What is the cultural and historical significance of the undersea cable industry?

The undersea cable industry is culturally significant as it is dominated by Englishmen who have been part of the industry since its boom about 20 years ago. Historically, it connects classic port cities and has been around for a long time, reflecting a continuity in the physical process of connection.

What message does the speaker convey about our relationship with the Internet?

The speaker conveys the message that we should be more aware of the physical infrastructure of the Internet, understanding where it comes from and how it physically connects us all, rather than viewing it as an abstract cloud.