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Had an interesting idea pop into my head today as I mentally complained about the Presidential candidates and their lack of bold ideas. I’ve always appreciated the intelligence of the Columbus Underground readership so I figured I’d throw this out there for digestion and criticism. Apologies if somebody has already thought of this or some organization has pitched this and I just haven’t been paying attention.
Goal:
Create a central, public network to house and serve all public data in order to provide streamlined and standardized governmental services at all levels (Federal, state, and local) as well as publicly-funded content (archives, libraries, etc), and gain critical information about services, their use, statistics, and crucial public data to improve policy and quality of life.
Basic Ideas:
- Transition the USPS (Postal Service) into the USPDN (Public Data Network)... or whatever name you want.
- Recognize public data as necessary “infrastructure” alongside roads, rail, bridges, airports, etc.
- Keep the world wide web, private. The PDN would be a separate “internet” if you will but would provide critical digital access to services we deem as rights today.
- Eliminate brick and mortar post offices and mailboxes, give first class mail to private sector (UPS, FedEx).
- Install fiber grids and lines to every home, business, school, government agency.
- Provide recycled / restored computers or tablets to those than cannot afford. There are more than plenty.
- Public data transmitters that communicate with USPDN for all publicly-funded inanimate objects (traffic lights, buses, planes, trains, exit ramps, street lights, power systems) that provide real-time status of services to both citizens and public maintenance.
- Over time, transition public services (at all levels possible) to standardized and customizable applications via the PDN: Taxes, social security, health care, welfare, certain types of licensing, video conferencing, public meetings, school enrollment, etc.
- License some business use of the high speed fiber lines in order to pay for some costs (Much like the FCC licenses the public airwaves).
- Provide APIs for government agencies and businesses to utilize the central public data such as real-time traffic light feeds, road closures, train, bus, and plane locations, etc for mobile applications and other business ideas.
Political Appeal:
I see this possibly appealing to core interests in both parties. While it’s an investment in infrastructure that may turn off some politicians, it also allows the government to phase out many brick and mortar facilities and automate many crucial services to save money in the long term. Plus, by aggregating, centralizing, and providing APIs for this data, it opens the floodgates for entrepreneurs to create new businesses and applications.
Addressing Current Problems:
Let’s be honest, the USPS is outdated for a lot of people. By transitioning to a “data network” model, everyone can still get many of the same services as provided by the current USPS (save packages) plus a lot more.
I've been hearing more people ask, "Is the internet a right?" lately. Instead of starting a big fight, the USPDN acts as a compromise by providing a separate service that houses public data and governmental services we deem as rights, while protecting the world wide web as a commercial and private interest. In a country that values choice and competition, why not have a public network as well as the WWW? We have PBS and Showtime… Let’s apply the same principle.
Conclusion:
I’m just trying to find a radically centrist and unique idea that appeals across ideological lines, makes life better for all, and reduces cost over time. I see places like Barnes and Noble shutting down their stores with calls for Best Buy and Radioshack to do the same. Why not do that with government too?
Eventually, we’ll want to have data streaming just like power lines stream energy. Let’s recognize that emerging trend and invest. We’d be further along than many other countries.
Just looking to hear other thoughts. I’m not an expert and don't expect this idea to go anywhere. This just seems to make some sense in my brain (at least today) and I wanted to share it.
And with that, I further cement my ColumbusUnderground reputation as probably some crazy guy. :-)
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