This part doesn’t fit into the document I’m constructing about our online parish, but is evoked by the discussion.
Rome built some really fine roads across Europe and the Mediterranean. The primary reason was to move troops and other government traffic as quickly as possible, particularly when things went sour somewhere in the empire. No one was ignorant of the side effect of commercial traffic also using those roads, as well as sharing knowledge. Having troops all along that road helped reduce highway robbery. Paul and the other Apostles took advantage of the Roman imperial government’s provisions to carry the gospel message abroad.
Our Roman Road system is the Internet. Rome was crushed by an invasive immigration that used their roads, but didn’t really care much about preserving civilization. It was an anomaly in may ways, because the invaders cannibalized what they found and gave no thought to how much work went into making it. The invasive hoards of today depend very much on the infrastructure of civilization, and they intend taking it over in situ, more like the conquests of more ancient times. Rather than disregard the massive human investment in the Internet, the conquerors are steadily investing more into it as they take over.
So the bigger threat to the Internet is the scorched earth policy of those who bitterly resist the conquerors. That’s because the culture behind what destroyed Rome is the same basic culture that is now being eclipsed. The senseless truculence of the West is being laid bare once more. They would rather plow up the Roman Roads than allow anyone else to use them.
I’m not sure how far this will go before the power to destroy is taken from their hands. But the genie is out of the bottle, and instantaneous global communications is now taken for granted as essential to human life. What is destroyed will be restored or replaced in some way. What we are looking at is the transition across that boundary layer. It can get pretty hairy for us who use it as the fabric of our parish. Most of what threatens our virtual fellowship is behind the scenes and very difficult for any layman to follow. Some of it is well beyond my grasp, and I don’t get the picture until it’s left as graffiti on the wall.
Part of the confusion is inherent in the battle itself. There are a many big players promoting and protecting their own interests. Way too many of them still think in terms of turf, as if their prosperity can come only at the cost of someone else losing theirs. The Internet simply is not like that at all. It can already work just fine without the current physical infrastructure, though temporary disruption is a given. Wireless protocols and transmission technology are exploding. Jamming is possible, but that threatens the oppressors, too, and it’s much easier to simply eavesdrop for now.
Here’s the take away for you, dear members of this virtual parish: Prepare your minds and hearts for even more decentralization. I am not the parish. My work here may well be the nexus for communion, but it’s important that you connect to each other. Work through me while it’s possible, but establish your own links. I doubt I’m going to die any time soon, but I am stuck in the middle of a turbulent context in terms of networking. I’m not targeted specifically as in the past, but the political context here in the US is crazier than most people realize. I’ve tried to warn you all that the real story is not what appears in the MSM, for sure, but even the alternative news sources seem to be missing the point. I assert that both halves of that equation are under a level of control that’s not always obvious.
All the current political chatter about Internet privacy, security, and controls do not constitute a genuine debate. Both sides are working toward the same goal of total control. The only question is the flavor of control and who gets to profit. Very few of the technicians involved see this just yet. Most of them still personally believe in the system. When it becomes apparent to them that they are being played for fools, we can expect networking to break free from most controls in radical ways not yet seen. This is an area where revolt can actually work, and in part because the tyrants don’t get it, plus the rebels are much harder to threaten. In terms of networking, the situation is exceedingly volatile.
The tyrants have already pulled a lot of stunts. Recent revelations about NSA and other alphabet agencies are just the first blush of uncovered evil. The take-down of stuff supposedly protected by Tor has riled a lot of folks. Even within the establishment, folks are pissed beyond words about the secret abuses, and the response has already begun. The battle back and forth has plenty of surprises, and much of it will be anchored here in the US.
Build your faith and your connections to each other now. Prepare to work around my absence, and that of others who may be disconnected for a time by the conflict. I am not the source of truth here, just someone who calls attention to it and begs you to take your own share.
