What if: Ansible Network on Earth

[Jaepheth]

In this scenario, imagine that tomorrow a new modem appears on store shelves around the world that allows wireless light speed point to point communication between any two computers on the planet. By the nature of how it works, jamming is impossible, as is positional tracking. Basically, if it becomes widespread it would effectively end the ability of all governments to censor, restrict, or police the flow of information.

What would be the social/political ramifications in the USA? In China? In despot controlled countries?
Would laws be enacted to restrict the ownership of this technology, and how fast could such legislation be pushed through? Would all countries react in a similar manner, or would there be some countries that would allow it, and thus create a new smuggling/black market opportunity?

 

[Possessed Freak]

In this scenario, imagine that tomorrow a new modem appears on store shelves around the world that allows wireless light speed point to point communication between any two computers on the planet. By the nature of how it works, jamming is impossible, as is positional tracking. Basically, if it becomes widespread it would effectively end the ability of all governments to censor, restrict, or police the flow of information.

Buh? Point to point networks without security devices in between, sounds like a hacker's dream.

 

[Jaepheth]

Software/Hardware firewalls are still possible. And you can have as many devices as you like between the modem and any user terminal(s)

But how the thing would work wasn't what I considered the interesting part of the scenario.

 

[spidey07]

You mean like HAM radio?

 

[Jaepheth]

Like a HAM radio, but no line of sight requirements, untraceable, and not under the FCC's jurisdiction.


Also, yes it is a hackers dream. No hacker, regardless of skill level, would have to worry about getting caught unless they identify themselves. I imagine a sudden increase in computer related crimes, but a decrease in the ability to catch and prosecute these criminals would lead to many governments trying to restrict access to these modems. Also, telecomm companies would be largely made obsolete, so I imagine they'd be lobbying for restrictions as well.

 

[Rustican]

Uh... an Ansible is capable of instantaneous or superluminal communication. Turn in your geek card.

 

[Jaepheth]

Uh... an Ansible is capable of instantaneous or superluminal communication. Turn in your geek card.

I altered that tidbit because I wasn't interested in possible causality issues from faster than light communication.

 

[gophins72]

it would be cool for the space program if we could get an ansible type of technology. right now it takes several minutes to issue commands from earth to mars (between 4 to 30 minutes) and to communicate with voyager is about 16 hours.