so in 1950 this group of rural farmers and business leaders they had a problem
and business leaders they had a problem
and business leaders they had a problem problem was that while telephone service
problem was that while telephone service
problem was that while telephone service was available in the big cities and in
was available in the big cities and in
was available in the big cities and in small towns the big phone company of the
small towns the big phone company of the
small towns the big phone company of the day would not extend their
day would not extend their
day would not extend their infrastructure out to their rural areas
infrastructure out to their rural areas
infrastructure out to their rural areas so they work together to solve this
so they work together to solve this
so they work together to solve this problem
problem
problem they formed a telephone cooperative you
they formed a telephone cooperative you
they formed a telephone cooperative you know they had to invest their own money
know they had to invest their own money
know they had to invest their own money and some of them took out personal
and some of them took out personal
and some of them took out personal mortgages and they made it happen
mortgages and they made it happen
mortgages and they made it happen you know but they took this risk not for
you know but they took this risk not for
you know but they took this risk not for future potential gain financial gain it
future potential gain financial gain it
future potential gain financial gain it was all about getting a critical
was all about getting a critical
was all about getting a critical communication service to their rural
communication service to their rural
communication service to their rural areas and to be a part of technology as
areas and to be a part of technology as
areas and to be a part of technology as it’s progressing you know this really
it’s progressing you know this really
it’s progressing you know this really hasn’t changed today obviously it’s not
hasn’t changed today obviously it’s not
hasn’t changed today obviously it’s not telephones we’re talking about anymore
telephones we’re talking about anymore
telephones we’re talking about anymore but it’s effective internet access and
but it’s effective internet access and
but it’s effective internet access and instead it’s still though it still boils
instead it’s still though it still boils
instead it’s still though it still boils down to getting critical services out to
down to getting critical services out to
down to getting critical services out to those that need it no matter where they
those that need it no matter where they
those that need it no matter where they live this cooperative philosophy that is
live this cooperative philosophy that is
live this cooperative philosophy that is working together to create and provide a
working together to create and provide a
working together to create and provide a service rather than an orientation to
service rather than an orientation to
service rather than an orientation to profit on shared values rather than
profit on shared values rather than
profit on shared values rather than share value really lends itself very
share value really lends itself very
share value really lends itself very well when the economics are tough I mean
well when the economics are tough I mean
well when the economics are tough I mean if there’s money to be made for profit
if there’s money to be made for profit
if there’s money to be made for profit businesses will do it and that’s great
businesses will do it and that’s great
businesses will do it and that’s great but in rural America where population
but in rural America where population
but in rural America where population densities are low and construction costs
densities are low and construction costs
densities are low and construction costs are high
are high
are high it’s coops really that are moving the
it’s coops really that are moving the
it’s coops really that are moving the needle on broadband availability so
needle on broadband availability so
needle on broadband availability so quite often I hear South Korea held up
quite often I hear South Korea held up
quite often I hear South Korea held up as an example of phenomenal internet
as an example of phenomenal internet
as an example of phenomenal internet access and ensure it’s true but keep in
access and ensure it’s true but keep in
access and ensure it’s true but keep in mind there are 27,000 people per square
mind there are 27,000 people per square
mind there are 27,000 people per square mile in Seoul South Korea I mean heck if
mile in Seoul South Korea I mean heck if
mile in Seoul South Korea I mean heck if you’re that dense you may as well just
you’re that dense you may as well just
you’re that dense you may as well just steal your neighbor’s Wi-Fi right
steal your neighbor’s Wi-Fi right
steal your neighbor’s Wi-Fi right problem solved
problem solved
problem solved but in Beltrami County that number is
but in Beltrami County that number is
but in Beltrami County that number is seven so clearly the economics are a
seven so clearly the economics are a
seven so clearly the economics are a little different and the technical
little different and the technical
little different and the technical challenges are not quite on par but but
challenges are not quite on par but but
challenges are not quite on par but but don’t get me wrong I don’t bring that up
don’t get me wrong I don’t bring that up
don’t get me wrong I don’t bring that up as an excuse of why it’s why
as an excuse of why it’s why
as an excuse of why it’s why stuff why we can’t do it actually I just
stuff why we can’t do it actually I just
stuff why we can’t do it actually I just mean it means that we need to think
mean it means that we need to think
mean it means that we need to think harder and we need to embrace creative
harder and we need to embrace creative
harder and we need to embrace creative philosophies like cooperatives to solve
philosophies like cooperatives to solve
philosophies like cooperatives to solve this problem you know while the density
this problem you know while the density
this problem you know while the density those seven people in per square mile in
those seven people in per square mile in
those seven people in per square mile in Beltrami County is less you know they
Beltrami County is less you know they
Beltrami County is less you know they need the Internet as as much as their
need the Internet as as much as their
need the Internet as as much as their urban counterparts and actually I would
urban counterparts and actually I would
urban counterparts and actually I would argue that they need it more they need
argue that they need it more they need
argue that they need it more they need it more because they rely on things like
it more because they rely on things like
it more because they rely on things like telehealth that internet-enabled health
telehealth that internet-enabled health
telehealth that internet-enabled health care service that can be delivered no
care service that can be delivered no
care service that can be delivered no matter your where you live your
matter your where you live your
matter your where you live your proximity to a healthcare institution or
proximity to a healthcare institution or
proximity to a healthcare institution or how about education for education the
how about education for education the
how about education for education the sum of human knowledge really lives out
sum of human knowledge really lives out
sum of human knowledge really lives out there on the web somewhere right and for
there on the web somewhere right and for
there on the web somewhere right and for job opportunities and economic
job opportunities and economic
job opportunities and economic development the internet not only
development the internet not only
development the internet not only connects people to opportunities in a
connects people to opportunities in a
connects people to opportunities in a large part creates those very
large part creates those very
large part creates those very opportunities and even government and
opportunities and even government and
opportunities and even government and participation in democracy now has
participation in democracy now has
participation in democracy now has internet as a component of that so to
internet as a component of that so to
internet as a component of that so to step you back a little bit the
step you back a little bit the
step you back a little bit the Communications Act of 1934 really built
Communications Act of 1934 really built
Communications Act of 1934 really built a foundation of telephone regulation and
a foundation of telephone regulation and
a foundation of telephone regulation and rules of government and within that
rules of government and within that
rules of government and within that regulation was this philosophy that was
regulation was this philosophy that was
regulation was this philosophy that was carved into US policy called universal
carved into US policy called universal
carved into US policy called universal service and it recognized that urban and
service and it recognized that urban and
service and it recognized that urban and rural we all benefit if we’re all
rural we all benefit if we’re all
rural we all benefit if we’re all connected and we all can communicate as
connected and we all can communicate as
connected and we all can communicate as a result of that policy and resulting
a result of that policy and resulting
a result of that policy and resulting programs that they initiated telephones
programs that they initiated telephones
programs that they initiated telephones went from 30 or 40 percent in the 1930s
went from 30 or 40 percent in the 1930s
went from 30 or 40 percent in the 1930s to nearly everywhere regardless of
to nearly everywhere regardless of
to nearly everywhere regardless of location so it can be done this
location so it can be done this
location so it can be done this philosophy does work now 62 years later
philosophy does work now 62 years later
philosophy does work now 62 years later the 1996 telecom act again reaffirmed
the 1996 telecom act again reaffirmed
the 1996 telecom act again reaffirmed our country’s belief in this philosophy
our country’s belief in this philosophy
our country’s belief in this philosophy of universal service it actually made it
of universal service it actually made it
of universal service it actually made it stronger by expanding it to include
stronger by expanding it to include
stronger by expanding it to include Internet access you know there’s a young
Internet access you know there’s a young
Internet access you know there’s a young man his name is Kosta grammatic he
man his name is Kosta grammatic he
man his name is Kosta grammatic he founded an organization called a human
founded an organization called a human
founded an organization called a human right org and it’s a it’s a fabulous
right org and it’s a it’s a fabulous
right org and it’s a it’s a fabulous organization you should check it out but
organization you should check it out but
organization you should check it out but their goal is to get Internet for
their goal is to get Internet for
their goal is to get Internet for everyone they think it’s that important
everyone they think it’s that important
everyone they think it’s that important across the globe
across the globe
across the globe but he has a kind of a fun interesting
but he has a kind of a fun interesting
but he has a kind of a fun interesting twist on a famous proverb he says give a
twist on a famous proverb he says give a
twist on a famous proverb he says give a man a fish you feed him for a day teach
man a fish you feed him for a day teach
man a fish you feed him for a day teach a man to fish and you feed him for a
a man to fish and you feed him for a
a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime but give the man the internet
lifetime but give the man the internet
lifetime but give the man the internet and he can teach himself out of fish or
and he can teach himself out of fish or
and he can teach himself out of fish or anything else he wants to know not to
anything else he wants to know not to
anything else he wants to know not to mention he can binge watch Game of
mention he can binge watch Game of
mention he can binge watch Game of Thrones but you know that’s not hardly
Thrones but you know that’s not hardly
Thrones but you know that’s not hardly the point today so if we agree that
the point today so if we agree that
the point today so if we agree that having effective internet access is
having effective internet access is
having effective internet access is critically important to everyone
critically important to everyone
critically important to everyone especially in rural areas then how do we
especially in rural areas then how do we
especially in rural areas then how do we build a network to connect everybody
build a network to connect everybody
build a network to connect everybody what technologies you would use how do
what technologies you would use how do
what technologies you would use how do we pay for such a network and finally
we pay for such a network and finally
we pay for such a network and finally what future are we trying to build this
what future are we trying to build this
what future are we trying to build this network for well to get at that I want
network for well to get at that I want
network for well to get at that I want you to go back with me a little bit and
you to go back with me a little bit and
you to go back with me a little bit and think about how do you connect to the
think about how do you connect to the
think about how do you connect to the internet do you remember this sound wait
internet do you remember this sound wait
internet do you remember this sound wait for it hmm you’re all loving that right
for it hmm you’re all loving that right
for it hmm you’re all loving that right fond memories yeah that meant you were
fond memories yeah that meant you were
fond memories yeah that meant you were screaming along at 14.4 28.8 kilobits
screaming along at 14.4 28.8 kilobits
screaming along at 14.4 28.8 kilobits per second just hang on right but to put
per second just hang on right but to put
per second just hang on right but to put that print perspective our gigabit
that print perspective our gigabit
that print perspective our gigabit service that we offer on our fiber
service that we offer on our fiber
service that we offer on our fiber network is 70,000 times faster than
network is 70,000 times faster than
network is 70,000 times faster than those early modems made always feel like
those early modems made always feel like
those early modems made always feel like it but it’s true and it’s at that point
it but it’s true and it’s at that point
it but it’s true and it’s at that point you know your internet experience
you know your internet experience
you know your internet experience whether it is that early dial-up
whether it is that early dial-up
whether it is that early dial-up experience the early dreaded dial-up or
experience the early dreaded dial-up or
experience the early dreaded dial-up or is that mass of dusty cables that’s
is that mass of dusty cables that’s
is that mass of dusty cables that’s behind your computer at your house or
behind your computer at your house or
behind your computer at your house or your business or maybe today it’s Wi-Fi
your business or maybe today it’s Wi-Fi
your business or maybe today it’s Wi-Fi right how you connect throughout all
right how you connect throughout all
right how you connect throughout all those internet experiences it’s been
those internet experiences it’s been
those internet experiences it’s been your internet service provider that has
your internet service provider that has
your internet service provider that has been the throttle kind of to your
been the throttle kind of to your
been the throttle kind of to your Internet experience well now with
Internet experience well now with
Internet experience well now with gigabit type services that’s no longer
gigabit type services that’s no longer
gigabit type services that’s no longer the case and in fact it can be that
the case and in fact it can be that
the case and in fact it can be that unless your computer is relatively new
unless your computer is relatively new
unless your computer is relatively new that gigabit service may be faster than
that gigabit service may be faster than
that gigabit service may be faster than that network connection and you’re in
that network connection and you’re in
that network connection and you’re in your computer or your Wi-Fi service
your computer or your Wi-Fi service
your computer or your Wi-Fi service or even that distant website that’s
or even that distant website that’s
or even that distant website that’s trying to send you information and you
trying to send you information and you
trying to send you information and you know what I think that’s exactly how it
know what I think that’s exactly how it
know what I think that’s exactly how it should be Internet service providers
should be Internet service providers
should be Internet service providers should not be the determiner of what is
should not be the determiner of what is
should not be the determiner of what is your capabilities are you know what’s
your capabilities are you know what’s
your capabilities are you know what’s fast enough what’s good enough for you
fast enough what’s good enough for you
fast enough what’s good enough for you what are you capable of in fact it’s
what are you capable of in fact it’s
what are you capable of in fact it’s quite the quite the opposite we should
quite the quite the opposite we should
quite the quite the opposite we should be the enabler the enabler of whatever
be the enabler the enabler of whatever
be the enabler the enabler of whatever you can dream up today or in the future
you can dream up today or in the future
you can dream up today or in the future yet today policymakers and ISPs alike
yet today policymakers and ISPs alike
yet today policymakers and ISPs alike they’re sitting around trying to decide
they’re sitting around trying to decide
they’re sitting around trying to decide what’s good enough for you what’s fast
what’s good enough for you what’s fast
what’s good enough for you what’s fast enough and they do it a lot of times
enough and they do it a lot of times
enough and they do it a lot of times setting the bar really low for economic
setting the bar really low for economic
setting the bar really low for economic reasons you know they’re trying to
reasons you know they’re trying to
reasons you know they’re trying to leverage their existing older
leverage their existing older
leverage their existing older infrastructure and and not
infrastructure and and not
infrastructure and and not state-of-the-art technologies it’s
state-of-the-art technologies it’s
state-of-the-art technologies it’s short-term solutions are thinking of and
short-term solutions are thinking of and
short-term solutions are thinking of and we just can’t think that way so let’s
we just can’t think that way so let’s
we just can’t think that way so let’s take a moment and talk about the
take a moment and talk about the
take a moment and talk about the different types of network technologies
different types of network technologies
different types of network technologies that can be used to connect you to the
that can be used to connect you to the
that can be used to connect you to the Internet there really are three
Internet there really are three
Internet there really are three different types of ways that
different types of ways that
different types of ways that communications can travel between you
communications can travel between you
communications can travel between you and the Internet there is data can be
and the Internet there is data can be
and the Internet there is data can be transferred via electricity over a
transferred via electricity over a
transferred via electricity over a copper wire data can be transferred via
copper wire data can be transferred via
copper wire data can be transferred via radio waves and a wireless connection
radio waves and a wireless connection
radio waves and a wireless connection and finally data can be transmitted by
and finally data can be transmitted by
and finally data can be transmitted by way of light over a fiber optic
way of light over a fiber optic
way of light over a fiber optic connection so first let’s talk about
connection so first let’s talk about
connection so first let’s talk about copper now there’s two types of copper
copper now there’s two types of copper
copper now there’s two types of copper connections that are typically used in
connections that are typically used in
connections that are typically used in infrastructure today one is called DSL
infrastructure today one is called DSL
infrastructure today one is called DSL you’re probably familiar and DSL uses
you’re probably familiar and DSL uses
you’re probably familiar and DSL uses twisted pairs of copper wires to
twisted pairs of copper wires to
twisted pairs of copper wires to transmit that data the other copper
transmit that data the other copper
transmit that data the other copper connection that is quite prevalent is
connection that is quite prevalent is
connection that is quite prevalent is coax networks typically from the cable
coax networks typically from the cable
coax networks typically from the cable operators both of these copper
operators both of these copper
operators both of these copper technologies are decades old and but
technologies are decades old and but
technologies are decades old and but they’ve served as well right they’ve
they’ve served as well right they’ve
they’ve served as well right they’ve really provided us an initial experience
really provided us an initial experience
really provided us an initial experience with the internet but unfortunately both
with the internet but unfortunately both
with the internet but unfortunately both copper technologies suffer from signal
copper technologies suffer from signal
copper technologies suffer from signal loss distance limitations and speed
loss distance limitations and speed
loss distance limitations and speed limitations and if you think about it
limitations and if you think about it
limitations and if you think about it although they keep making progress you
although they keep making progress you
although they keep making progress you know how many more bits you can squeeze
know how many more bits you can squeeze
know how many more bits you can squeeze down that copper wire this technology
down that copper wire this technology
down that copper wire this technology really using copper for communications
really using copper for communications
really using copper for communications dates back to all the way to 1876 when
dates back to all the way to 1876 when
dates back to all the way to 1876 when Alexander Graham Bell invented the
Alexander Graham Bell invented the
Alexander Graham Bell invented the internet
internet
internet sorry he wishes the invented the
sorry he wishes the invented the
sorry he wishes the invented the internet invented the telephone that
internet invented the telephone that
internet invented the telephone that would have been awesome so so what about
would have been awesome so so what about
would have been awesome so so what about radio waves now radio waves uh meaning a
radio waves now radio waves uh meaning a
radio waves now radio waves uh meaning a wireless connection are very prevalent
wireless connection are very prevalent
wireless connection are very prevalent right there’s lots of wireless
right there’s lots of wireless
right there’s lots of wireless technologies one is satellite you hear
technologies one is satellite you hear
technologies one is satellite you hear about satellite internet
about satellite internet
about satellite internet unfortunately satellite internet is it’s
unfortunately satellite internet is it’s
unfortunately satellite internet is it’s really only used in rural areas where
really only used in rural areas where
really only used in rural areas where there isn’t a wired infrastructure to
there isn’t a wired infrastructure to
there isn’t a wired infrastructure to take advantage of mainly because of the
take advantage of mainly because of the
take advantage of mainly because of the typically is slow it’s a little more
typically is slow it’s a little more
typically is slow it’s a little more expensive and if you think about it that
expensive and if you think about it that
expensive and if you think about it that satellite you’re trying to beam up to is
satellite you’re trying to beam up to is
satellite you’re trying to beam up to is 22,000 miles away so it’s no wonder that
22,000 miles away so it’s no wonder that
22,000 miles away so it’s no wonder that speeds suffer particularly upload speeds
speeds suffer particularly upload speeds
speeds suffer particularly upload speeds as well as the responsiveness or what we
as well as the responsiveness or what we
as well as the responsiveness or what we would call latency really suffers with
would call latency really suffers with
would call latency really suffers with satellite but how about the other type
satellite but how about the other type
satellite but how about the other type of wireless one that you’re you really
of wireless one that you’re you really
of wireless one that you’re you really think enough is probably in your pocket
think enough is probably in your pocket
think enough is probably in your pocket right now right it’s cellular that
right now right it’s cellular that
right now right it’s cellular that technology whether you’re talking 3G or
technology whether you’re talking 3G or
technology whether you’re talking 3G or 4G LTE or in the next few years 5g that
4G LTE or in the next few years 5g that
4G LTE or in the next few years 5g that technology is really revolutionized the
technology is really revolutionized the
technology is really revolutionized the Internet experience bringing mobility
Internet experience bringing mobility
Internet experience bringing mobility really cool devices in a tremendous
really cool devices in a tremendous
really cool devices in a tremendous number of applications but keep in mind
number of applications but keep in mind
number of applications but keep in mind when you think about wireless and what
when you think about wireless and what
when you think about wireless and what can that Wireless radio wave type
can that Wireless radio wave type
can that Wireless radio wave type connection deliver for you that Wireless
connection deliver for you that Wireless
connection deliver for you that Wireless call is our connection is really only
call is our connection is really only
call is our connection is really only wireless between your handset and the
wireless between your handset and the
wireless between your handset and the nearest tower from that point on in the
nearest tower from that point on in the
nearest tower from that point on in the network especially today as capacities
network especially today as capacities
network especially today as capacities increase those networks to depend on
increase those networks to depend on
increase those networks to depend on fiber fiber optic network connect most
fiber fiber optic network connect most
fiber fiber optic network connect most of the towers now and certainly will in
of the towers now and certainly will in
of the towers now and certainly will in the future so Wireless like copper has
the future so Wireless like copper has
the future so Wireless like copper has challenges with speed and capacity and
challenges with speed and capacity and
challenges with speed and capacity and although like copper they’re improving
although like copper they’re improving
although like copper they’re improving those all the time ultimately they still
those all the time ultimately they still
those all the time ultimately they still suffer from capacity and speed
suffer from capacity and speed
suffer from capacity and speed limitations so let’s talk about fiber
limitations so let’s talk about fiber
limitations so let’s talk about fiber optic networks as you probably know
optic networks as you probably know
optic networks as you probably know these networks leverage fine hairlike
these networks leverage fine hairlike
these networks leverage fine hairlike fibers of glass right and across those
fibers of glass right and across those
fibers of glass right and across those glass fibers transmits light and those
glass fibers transmits light and those
glass fibers transmits light and those beams of light can travel great
beams of light can travel great
beams of light can travel great distances securely reliably and actually
distances securely reliably and actually
distances securely reliably and actually they use less power
they use less power
they use less power the other real advantage of fiber-optic
the other real advantage of fiber-optic
the other real advantage of fiber-optic networks is that it could be a symmetric
networks is that it could be a symmetric
networks is that it could be a symmetric service meaning that your upload speeds
service meaning that your upload speeds
service meaning that your upload speeds and experience can be every bit as fast
and experience can be every bit as fast
and experience can be every bit as fast as your download speeds and this is
as your download speeds and this is
as your download speeds and this is critical we this is a big deal because
critical we this is a big deal because
critical we this is a big deal because if you think about your internet
if you think about your internet
if you think about your internet experience downloading is consuming
experience downloading is consuming
experience downloading is consuming whereas uploading that’s producing
whereas uploading that’s producing
whereas uploading that’s producing that’s innovating that’s contributing
that’s innovating that’s contributing
that’s innovating that’s contributing content so our networks really have to
content so our networks really have to
content so our networks really have to be able to provide that great upload
be able to provide that great upload
be able to provide that great upload experience for those innovators for
experience for those innovators for
experience for those innovators for those producers so really if you think
those producers so really if you think
those producers so really if you think about it fiber if you’re going to build
about it fiber if you’re going to build
about it fiber if you’re going to build a network for the future fiber optic
a network for the future fiber optic
a network for the future fiber optic networks are really the only technology
networks are really the only technology
networks are really the only technology choice now on the cost side in the next
choice now on the cost side in the next
choice now on the cost side in the next ten years the FCC is going to allocate
ten years the FCC is going to allocate
ten years the FCC is going to allocate fifty billion dollars to improve
fifty billion dollars to improve
fifty billion dollars to improve infrastructure in the United States and
infrastructure in the United States and
infrastructure in the United States and that sounds great
that sounds great
that sounds great however they’re unfortunate they’re
however they’re unfortunate they’re
however they’re unfortunate they’re allowing that investment to be made on
allowing that investment to be made on
allowing that investment to be made on existing aging infrastructure only
existing aging infrastructure only
existing aging infrastructure only barely moving the needle in terms of
barely moving the needle in terms of
barely moving the needle in terms of speeds and capabilities they’re not
speeds and capabilities they’re not
speeds and capabilities they’re not building for the future they’re not
building for the future they’re not
building for the future they’re not demanding that it be built for the
demanding that it be built for the
demanding that it be built for the future you know again it’s not for
future you know again it’s not for
future you know again it’s not for regulators to decide what’s good enough
regulators to decide what’s good enough
regulators to decide what’s good enough it shouldn’t be what’s fast enough
it shouldn’t be what’s fast enough
it shouldn’t be what’s fast enough however I’ve heard legislators the very
however I’ve heard legislators the very
however I’ve heard legislators the very legislators that are responsible for our
legislators that are responsible for our
legislators that are responsible for our state and national broadband policies
state and national broadband policies
state and national broadband policies I’ve heard them say things like well you
I’ve heard them say things like well you
I’ve heard them say things like well you know I’ve got six Meg down and one Meg
know I’ve got six Meg down and one Meg
know I’ve got six Meg down and one Meg up and that’s good enough for me and I
up and that’s good enough for me and I
up and that’s good enough for me and I do a little web browsing and that’s
do a little web browsing and that’s
do a little web browsing and that’s great you know what I talked to my
great you know what I talked to my
great you know what I talked to my neighbor and they thought that was fast
neighbor and they thought that was fast
neighbor and they thought that was fast enough to and that can’t be how we
enough to and that can’t be how we
enough to and that can’t be how we decide our policy that can’t be how we
decide our policy that can’t be how we
decide our policy that can’t be how we dream the future we need to think bigger
dream the future we need to think bigger
dream the future we need to think bigger so now when I think of thinking big I
so now when I think of thinking big I
so now when I think of thinking big I think of sir arthur c clarke he was a
think of sir arthur c clarke he was a
think of sir arthur c clarke he was a radar specialist with the royal air
radar specialist with the royal air
radar specialist with the royal air force in the in world war ii he also was
force in the in world war ii he also was
force in the in world war ii he also was a mathematician of physicist inventor
a mathematician of physicist inventor
a mathematician of physicist inventor kind of a futurist but you may know him
kind of a futurist but you may know him
kind of a futurist but you may know him best as the author of 2001 a Space
best as the author of 2001 a Space
best as the author of 2001 a Space Odyssey which he wrote in 1968 he also
Odyssey which he wrote in 1968 he also
Odyssey which he wrote in 1968 he also had a little sense of humor he would say
had a little sense of humor he would say
had a little sense of humor he would say the best proof that there is intelligent
the best proof that there is intelligent
the best proof that there is intelligent life in outer space
life in outer space
life in outer space is the fact that it never came here so I
is the fact that it never came here so I
is the fact that it never came here so I like that one in a 1974 interview arthur
like that one in a 1974 interview arthur
like that one in a 1974 interview arthur c clarke almost perfectly described the
c clarke almost perfectly described the
c clarke almost perfectly described the internet nearly 20 years before it was a
internet nearly 20 years before it was a
internet nearly 20 years before it was a reality he talked about this thing like
reality he talked about this thing like
reality he talked about this thing like a council that you would have in your
a council that you would have in your
a council that you would have in your house he imagines and it would have a TV
house he imagines and it would have a TV
house he imagines and it would have a TV like screen and it would have a keyboard
like screen and it would have a keyboard
like screen and it would have a keyboard and all of this would have some
and all of this would have some
and all of this would have some connections so that you could get at
connections so that you could get at
connections so that you could get at information whether you’re talking
information whether you’re talking
information whether you’re talking theater reservations or bank statements
theater reservations or bank statements
theater reservations or bank statements but what was most interesting and
but what was most interesting and
but what was most interesting and compelling about his vision is the
compelling about his vision is the
compelling about his vision is the impact that he thought it would have for
impact that he thought it would have for
impact that he thought it would have for all of us he said and I’ll quote will
all of us he said and I’ll quote will
all of us he said and I’ll quote will take it as much for granted as we take
take it as much for granted as we take
take it as much for granted as we take the telephone and we won’t have to be
the telephone and we won’t have to be
the telephone and we won’t have to be stuck in the cities he said his words
stuck in the cities he said his words
stuck in the cities he said his words not mine
not mine
not mine we can live out the country or wherever
we can live out the country or wherever
we can live out the country or wherever we like and carry on complete
we like and carry on complete
we like and carry on complete interaction you know it’s visionaries
interaction you know it’s visionaries
interaction you know it’s visionaries like arthur c clarke and others like him
like arthur c clarke and others like him
like arthur c clarke and others like him that proved that to really demonstrate
that proved that to really demonstrate
that proved that to really demonstrate real progress we have to think out of
real progress we have to think out of
real progress we have to think out of the box we have to think big he said any
the box we have to think big he said any
the box we have to think big he said any sufficiently advanced technology is
sufficiently advanced technology is
sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic
indistinguishable from magic
indistinguishable from magic well you know that this can be magic if
well you know that this can be magic if
well you know that this can be magic if we do it right if we think to the future
we do it right if we think to the future
we do it right if we think to the future instead of the past if we think big
instead of the past if we think big
instead of the past if we think big instead of incrementally this can happen
instead of incrementally this can happen
instead of incrementally this can happen but I think we need to expect fiber
but I think we need to expect fiber
but I think we need to expect fiber networks we need to expect gigabit
networks we need to expect gigabit
networks we need to expect gigabit speeds and beyond let’s not settle we
speeds and beyond let’s not settle we
speeds and beyond let’s not settle we can do this if there is the will like
can do this if there is the will like
can do this if there is the will like our founders had at our cooperative the
our founders had at our cooperative the
our founders had at our cooperative the dollars are there if we invest them the
dollars are there if we invest them the
dollars are there if we invest them the right way on the right technology and
right way on the right technology and
right way on the right technology and for the right reasons you know let’s not
for the right reasons you know let’s not
for the right reasons you know let’s not just get by let’s think big so that we
just get by let’s think big so that we
just get by let’s think big so that we enable those that follow to dream of
enable those that follow to dream of
enable those that follow to dream of whatever is next and let’s do it for
whatever is next and let’s do it for
whatever is next and let’s do it for everyone
everyone
everyone [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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