Thread · 6 tweets · 22 Jan 2022

A lot of effort has gone into explaining to the world how tech works. That's nice, but what we *really* need is to explain to tech people how the world works. I knew that many in tech struggle with understanding infrastructure, but the reactions to @tobie are worse.

Infrastructure can empower you (if it's neutral) or manage you (if it's "smart"). Whoever controls infrastructure has inordinate amounts of power. Deciding who provides it and what they're supposed to do matters a fucking lot.

It's disheartening to see so many folks thinking infrastructure is "crumbling bridges." That's true in countries with failed governance, but even there infrastructure is also electricity to run your computer, roads that you get delivery from, water you can drink without dying,

sewage, a place that is mandated to put up with your kids and teach them all that stuff you don't know, and rules enforced enough that your stronger neighbour, who isn't a nerd, can't just murder you and take your stuff.

So yes: open source is infrastructure, as are standards, browsers, ad systems, algorithmic media like search and social, communication protocols...

... and yes we should manage them like infrastructure matters, which is to say not just by hoping that personal responsibility and tech corporations will do it right as if something inspired them other than the manifest destiny of bigger bonuses!