Douglas Rushkoff: Networks without a Net
And more from Rushkoff, on the emergence of wireless networks and how the most interesting among them could be those who are independent of the internet. One user's comment to his entry also highlights an important point.
'...Just as the Internet has fostered a sense of global connectivity for users pinned to their desktops, the wireless network -- by coming along in one's pocket -- can enhance users' connections to their immediate environments and temporary communities. After all, wireless users have left their homes and offices for a reason. Away from their desktops and, in many cases, laptops, they are in "nomadic mode", not office or home mode.' (rushkoff.blog entry)I tend to agree on the nomadic point, seeing the potential of that modality etc. I'm not sure, however, that it would be necessary for the new networks to 'forgo access to the Internet' in order to reap the benefits of mobility -- and I even suspect that there might be serious losses in taking this approach, because of the issues raised by the commenter as well as others. At any rate, the article is definitely worth a read; check it out.