The Internet IS indeed a series of tubes
So I just became aware last night of this whole "the internet is a series of tubes" thing.
And my question is: If the Internet is not a series of tubes, what is it? In fact, the "tubes" analogy is apt and that is pretty much how the system works. It's a system of wires, which could be thought of as tubes, and the information that travels from web servers to home users could be thought of on a mental map as happening through tubes. So what the hell is the big deal and why is everyone making fun of this poor old man? When Ted Stevens said that the Internet is not a "dump truck" that can just take everything at once, but instead is a series of tubes that can only take certain amounts of info at a time, he might not have been the least bit eloquent but he was very correct. The Internet can only tramsmit certain amounts of data at a time, which is why you can't just download a song in 10 seconds (unless you have fiber optics) and why people are getting upset over net neutrality.
He did sound pretty dumb with mistaking an email for "the internet," but the man is 82 years old and as a member of Congress, maybe he's busy reading bills and figuring out how to help us in the future (yeah right, but it's possible).
What is annoying me is that most of the time, no one cares what's going on in Congress. But if Jon Stewart features a senator on his show and makes fun of him, well then that senator MUST be completely wrong and must be ridiculed by everyone. I have no problem with Jon Stewart, but he was off base in this case and the senator's clumsy wording made an easy target.
People should learn to think for themselves and not just take someone's word for the truth. That's what causes all the problems in the world. Jon Stewart may be funny, but he is obviously no expert on the Internet and no intellectual, either. Why would people listen to him in this case?
Anyway, Ted Stevens is no George W. At least what he said made sense. I would say that everyone can find something better to do with their time than lambaste this poor guy.
The link can be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DClkE64nFDY
And my question is: If the Internet is not a series of tubes, what is it? In fact, the "tubes" analogy is apt and that is pretty much how the system works. It's a system of wires, which could be thought of as tubes, and the information that travels from web servers to home users could be thought of on a mental map as happening through tubes. So what the hell is the big deal and why is everyone making fun of this poor old man? When Ted Stevens said that the Internet is not a "dump truck" that can just take everything at once, but instead is a series of tubes that can only take certain amounts of info at a time, he might not have been the least bit eloquent but he was very correct. The Internet can only tramsmit certain amounts of data at a time, which is why you can't just download a song in 10 seconds (unless you have fiber optics) and why people are getting upset over net neutrality.
He did sound pretty dumb with mistaking an email for "the internet," but the man is 82 years old and as a member of Congress, maybe he's busy reading bills and figuring out how to help us in the future (yeah right, but it's possible).
What is annoying me is that most of the time, no one cares what's going on in Congress. But if Jon Stewart features a senator on his show and makes fun of him, well then that senator MUST be completely wrong and must be ridiculed by everyone. I have no problem with Jon Stewart, but he was off base in this case and the senator's clumsy wording made an easy target.
People should learn to think for themselves and not just take someone's word for the truth. That's what causes all the problems in the world. Jon Stewart may be funny, but he is obviously no expert on the Internet and no intellectual, either. Why would people listen to him in this case?
Anyway, Ted Stevens is no George W. At least what he said made sense. I would say that everyone can find something better to do with their time than lambaste this poor guy.
The link can be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DClkE64nFDY