internet blackout

The Great Internet Blackout

No doubt a question has been asked: “What if we wake up one morning to find out there is no more Internet? No phone service? No fax? No mail? Even no power?”

In modern society, everything is connected. Thanks to advanced computer technology, all means of communication are merged into one vast global telecommunications network (GTC), and are maintained, monitored, and regulated with computers.

These services include Internet, phone lines, local and satellite TV; financial activities such as bank and credit card services are also included in the GTCN.

This vast global network is only divided among companies who maintain services and access. Today, even national and private post services are becoming increasingly controlled by what goes on in the global telecommunication network (GTCN).

The only standalone form of communication not affected is direct contact between people, in action, speech, or written form. This seemingly primitive communication has been effective for millions of years between animals and tens of thousands of years between humans. On a more specific level, there is chemical communication via pheromones produced by animals and insects. Plants communicate with insects through substance and action. Plants will produce pollen and scents to attract insects and have them distribute and exchange pollen, while other plants will trap insects long enough for them to collect a sufficient amount of pollen. Other forms of action communication carried out in the animal kingdom of which humans are not exempt; include direct actions, either friendly or hostile. Birds will perch on large animals to feed on pests. A cat will indicate affection by brushing its face on its owner.

These relationships, fostered by Nature, have become negligible among humans in a world ruled by technology. Younger generations are losing the ability to communicate in person while preferring to communicate via social networks. New relationships and communication among people are dependent on technology, and have set new precedents for numerous events, favored and unflavored by the powers that be.

Companies thrive on sales of virtual goods, such as online game currencies, or smartphone applications (or apps in short); while copyrighted material is distributed freely and reviewed on a far greater level. A new industry has emerged on the YouTube network alone, where videogames, past and present are reviewed. This new scrutiny has determined overall sales (or illegal downloads) of numerous games and other tech and virtual products. This new infrastructure gives consumers new widespread powers to make a sufficient impact on market economies.

Unregulated sections of the GTCN have fostered communication and organization between dissidents and subversive organizations of all kinds. Much of the Arab Spring movements and the 99% Occupy movements have been coordinated online, with little regulation to limit communication and information exchange in most countries.

Today, almost 20 years after the public has gained access to the Internet and the growing GTCN, lawmakers worldwide are stepping up efforts to impose new limits on the GTCN, from censorship filters, to data retention and monitoring (for the sake of crime prevention), and expanding law enforcement powers for various purposes and have ratcheted up penalties for online criminal or even immoral activities. While backed by concerned private (corporate) powers and lobbyists (for whatever agenda each group pursues), these efforts meet strong opposition from online and real life protests, to hacking and smear campaigns by GTCN users. While users strongly defend their rights and lobby for a halt to increased control, legislation is being produced, modified, or eliminated to nullify these precious freedoms.
This global network conflict is an ongoing struggle and often in stalemate in many political arenas. Despite the struggles, it has been predicted that flashpoint is fast approaching, and that a point of no-return has already been breached. History has shown that those in power and control despise opposition in any shape or form and have committed aggressive and subtle efforts to suppress dissent.

Efforts to mediate and control the GTCN have so far been subtle, and aggressive means have been radically shut down by opponents (Consider “Operation Payback is a Bitch” where Internet users assaulted the Motion Picture Association of America’s website in 2010. This was retaliation for the MMPA’s support for the private sector’s hacking of a file sharing site).
It must also be considered that the Internet has become a virtual Wild West and fertile bed for various serious criminal activities (such as CP distribution).

However, this flash point is fast approaching or has already arrived, and any concerned GTCN user must ask the undeniable question: When will they eventually shut down the entire network once and for all?

A massive widespread shut down would be the virtual iron fist coming down on the entire GTCN and everything involved. For an optimal effect, this blackout would have to be a widespread coordinated tactic set up between the private sector, government and service providers. It would have to be instant and simultaneous across entire countries. People would have to be thrown into a shock, and realize that these communication means they have taken for granted have been taken away.
However, the desired result is not achieved by shutting down the entire network and restoring it later as is. In the interest of the concerned powers, the entire network would be restored but under unprecedented control, at the cost of billions in hardware and software development, and the establishment of new entities to operate new controls; as well as training new personnel for the job.

Such an event could have catastrophic widespread of implications. The loss of personal and business contacts, the loss of work, income, and the potential to throw entire national economies into an irreversible down-spiral as populations adapt to the event. Implications may also extend to such services including electrical and food distribution.
Such an event would be coined, “The Great Internet Blackout.”
Considering present-day politics regarding the entire network, it is not a question asking if such a thing will happen, but WHEN.

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Yes, I try to make myself sound like a bloody smartass with the wording of this, lol
This idea spawned when i was discussing internet politics with my guild on WoW last year.
I asked the question at the top, and another guy replied, the suicide rate among technofreaks and hermit full time gamers would skyrocket.

the rest i made up myself