Distributed Resilience
The original purpose of the Internet was to create a resilient network of computers. If one or more nodes went down, the system would still function without major impact. This has been taken to the extreme with suppliers like AWS having global and even ex-planetary servers. There are startups that are planning on putting data centers on the moon… you know… just in case.
A very small tax on our regular comforts can help with at least limited resiliency in our immediate surroundings:
- Having a week’s supply of water and a month’s worth of food on hand
- Having backup systems like gas, batteries, or fire wood
- Having flashlights and candles
These are things one can setup and then forget about and hopefully never need.
More systemic resiliency can be built into the systems around us. Rooftop solar could mean we never experience widespread, days-long outages. Even systems like distributed stormwater drains can reduce flooding or water shortages.
The Navy SEAL adage of “two is one, and one is none” can be applied to many aspects of life. Income, childcare, cell phone, power sources, Internet suppliers. The lesson from COVID is to be more ready and more resilient. This also translates to the work we do and art we produce. Everything needs some minimal thought of resilience applied to it.
