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Good, brief definition. I like these, Matt.

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Great synopsis.

The ability to predict the Internet depends on what point in time you attempt the prediction.

>ARPANET connects two locaton using satellites (packet switched network) - 1969

>University of Hawaii develops Alohanet (Aloha), the catalyst for ethernet using the concept of Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) - 1970

>Xerox PARC develops first ethernet network 1973

>email, gaming, domains etc - mid 70's - mind 80's

>homebrew -> pc's also 70's - 80's

...

My observation about predicting black swan events is there must be a moment in time when all of the necessary but sufficient data exists upon which a prediction can be based.

With that in mind, at what point in the history of the Internet would that moment be in your opinion? This isn't a trap or a trick question... I'm simply wanting to understand & explore this type of thinking so that I can incorporate it into how I understand/observe 'things' and how I may want to think in regards to developing connections/associations

It seems that ubiquitous networks and affordable computing that can be attached to the network are 2 of the pillars upon which one could base speculation

After my undergraduate work mid 80's I worked in the Bell System (post divesture)... so I was immersed in communications of all sorts... but the idea that networks would become ubiquitous AND independent from traditional telecoms was quantum leap forward.

Respectfully,

-Scott

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