Since we're cabling the nation for the flow of photons and electrons, why not also run high-pressure teflon tubing to the curb and standard PVC into the home? Whether it's bits or atoms, all you need are the conduits and a routing technology.
Black-and-white jello extrusions surrounding each packet of fluid will optically encode IP addresses and maintain line pressure. Packets can consist of liquids and anything else that can be mashed into a thin slurry prior to transmission. And many nonliquid objects are nevertheless one dimensional. A sweater is really just a length of yarn plus assembly instructions!
Imagine a Global Circulatory System delivering wine from Paris, noodles from Tokyo, tapestries from Persia, and spring water from Poland. Imagine everything you desire being puréed and coursed at Mach 20 through the teflon arteries of Earth.
- Steve Connelly (stevec@world.std.com) is the inventor of the smellephone.
