Digital infrastructure: whose is it anyway?

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August 20, 2024

The question of who owns digital infrastructure touches on several dimensions of ownership, control, and investment in the digital age:

Corporate Ownership: Companies like DigitalBridge, as highlighted, are deeply invested in digital infrastructure, managing billions in assets across data centers, cell towers, and fiber networks. This indicates a significant corporate stake in what could be considered the physical backbone of the digital world. These firms not only own but also operate these infrastructures, making them pivotal players in the digital ecosystem.
Public vs. Private: There’s a growing discourse around Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), emphasizing the need for public governance in digital infrastructure to ensure it serves as a common good. This perspective argues for a more proactive role for the state, suggesting that digital infrastructure should not be solely in private hands but managed with public values in mind.
Decentralized Ownership: The rise of blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies introduces a new paradigm of ownership where digital assets can be owned by anyone globally, with no central authority controlling them. For instance, Bitcoin’s network ownership is decentralized, with ownership stakes that cannot be diluted or taken away, representing a shift towards individual ownership of digital assets.
Concentration of Ownership: Despite the ethos of decentralization in blockchain, there’s evidence of concentration in digital asset ownership, where a small percentage of holders control a significant portion of cryptocurrencies, suggesting that even in supposedly decentralized systems, ownership can become centralized.
Government and Institutional Investment: Governments, through agencies or indirectly through pension funds like CPP Investments, engage in or facilitate the ownership of digital infrastructure. For instance, the acquisition of Arqiva by Digital 9 Infrastructure, partly funded through non-recourse loans, shows how government-backed entities or investments play into this sector.
Foreign Investment: The competition between the U.S. and China over digital infrastructure highlights how digital infrastructure ownership can be a strategic asset, not just economically but geopolitically. This competition underscores the importance of who controls these infrastructures due to their implications for military and economic power.
Public Perception and Investment: There’s a growing trend where traditional financial institutions like Deutsche Bank are seeking to engage with digital assets, indicating a shift where digital infrastructure ownership is becoming more mainstream, potentially diversifying ownership further.

From these points:

Digital infrastructure spans from physical assets like data centers and cell towers, which are predominantly owned by private entities or through public-private partnerships, to digital assets like cryptocurrencies, which introduce a model of decentralized ownership.
The narrative around digital infrastructure ownership is evolving, with increasing calls for it to be treated as a public good, yet the reality shows a mix of private corporate control, decentralized individual ownership in digital assets, and strategic government involvement.
The future might see more hybrid models where public governance ensures access and fairness, while private investment drives innovation and expansion, all within a framework where individual digital asset ownership continues to grow, challenging traditional notions of infrastructure ownership.

The Salesman

By

Alan

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August 14, 2024

A young salesman from Texas moves to California and goes to a big department store looking for a job.

The manager says, “Do you have any sales experience?”

The kid says, “Yeah, I was a salesman back home in Texas.”

Well, the boss liked the kid, so he gave him the job. “You start tomorrow. I’ll come down after we close and see how you did.”

His first day on the job was rough but he got through it. After the store was locked up, the boss came down.
“How many sales did you make today?”

The kid says, “One.”

The boss says, “Just one? Our sales people average 20 or 30 sales a day. How much was the sale for?”

Kid says, “$101,237.64.”

Boss says, “$101,237.64? What did you sell him?”

Kid says, “First I sold him a small fish hook. Then I sold him a medium fish hook. Then I sold him a larger fish hook. Then I sold him a new fishing rod.

Then I asked him where he was going fishing, and he said down at the coast, so I told him he was gonna need a boat, so we went down to the boat department, and I sold him that twin engine Chris Craft.

Then he said he didn’t think his Honda Civic would pull it, so I took him down to the automotive department and sold him that 4X4 Blazer.”

The boss said, “A guy came in here to buy a fish hook and you sold him a boat and truck?”

Kid says, “No, he came in here to buy a box of tampons for his wife, and I said, ‘Well, since your weekend’s shot, you might as well go fishing.'”

Happy Trails

Thanks for the read.

FWP: be on the lookout for greater short-horned lizards this fall

By

Alan

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August 13, 2024

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is requesting that recreationists be on the lookout for greater short-horned lizards this fall.

As you are hunting, hiking, and exploring Montana this late summer and fall, be sure to take a break from scanning the horizon and look down at the ground once in a while. Not only will this help you avoid stepping on a cactus or a rattlesnake, but you might also see one of eastern Montana’s rarely seen critters…the greater short-horned lizard, commonly known as a “horny toad.” If you do, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks would like to know about it.

The greater short-horned lizard, Phrynosoma hernandesi, was once considered the second most abundant reptile along the Missouri River in Montana in the late 19th Century, second only to the western rattlesnake. Currently, however, these lizards are considered a ‘Species of Greatest Inventory Need’ in Montana due to insufficient data on their population and distribution.

According to Nicole Hussey, FWP wildlife biologist in Region 6, “We have been conducting surveys in eastern Montana to try and determine status and distribution as well as fill in data gaps; however, their elusive nature and cryptic coloration make them extremely difficult to locate.”

“This is where we can use hunters and other outdoor recreationists’ help,” continued Hussey, “because oftentimes, people just accidentally come across one.”

Hussey and other biologists are seeking the help of folks out trekking around the countryside to provide incidental observations in addition to their structured survey efforts.

“If you happen to observe one anywhere in the state,” says Hussey, “please record the location, get GPS coordinates if possible, and note the date, number observed, and take a photo with something in the picture for scale if you can.”

Observations can be reported to your local FWP biologist.

• Region 4 (Great Falls): Brandi Skone at bskone@mt.gov
• Region 5 (Billings): Megan O’Reilly at moreilly@mt.gov
• Region 6/7 (Glasgow): Nicole Hussey at nicole.hussey@mt.gov

A few things about the greater short-horned lizard:

Key ID:

• Adult greater short-horned lizards are diurnal, meaning they are most active during the warmer daylight hours.
• Coloration is cryptic with the soil (blends in) and can vary by locality.
• The broad, flattened body separates this lizard from the other three lizard species regularly documented in Montana, and the range overlaps only with the common sagebrush lizard, which is much more slender.
• The head has a “heart-shaped” appearance when viewed from above.
• They are usually easiest to spot when they move and catch your eye.

Habitat:

• Greater short-horned lizards are found in the eastern half of Montana, but in scattered locations throughout their range.
• They are often found on south or east-facing slopes of coulees and ridge tops, and some open flats.
• They prefer habitats with sagebrush, creeping juniper, or rabbitbrush with sparse bunch grass, patches of bare ground, and shale-like soil. They are even found in some ponderosa pine stands.

Although they seem like they would make a good pet, after you get a quick picture and GPS location, please leave these fascinating critters where you find them!

img credit – Nicole Hussey

American Bar and Grill – Stockett, Montana

By

Alan

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August 2, 2024

We recently took it upon ourselves to run out to the American Bar and Grill in Stockett, Montana for a quick snack.

It was an early Saturday evening and there wasn’t a whole lot going on when we got there. We chose the outdoor seating because we had our 6 month old Lab dog pup with us.

Though it’s been pretty hot during the day, the evening was cool, so sitting outdoors was sort of a plus.

We all ordered the usual standby – cheeseburgers for me and the Mrs. – double bacon cheeseburger for our growing boy.

The burgers were great and the fries were somewhat better than great.

Our son pointed out that back road bars in Montana always seem to have the best food. Indeed they do. Not only is the food better, it comes in larger portions too.

We had our burgers and fries with free refills on the soft drinks and the whole thing came in at about 45 bucks. 3 times more the serving portions at about half the price than Five Guys.

If you’re ever in the area in or around Great Falls, I might highly recommend heading out to the American Bar and Grill in Stockett. I’m pretty sure that you won’t be disappointed.

The American Bar started up in 1915 and upon after being closed for a year recently for renovations, it’s now open again. One of the newest features that were added was the ability to take plastic debit or credit cards. The building still retains it’s over all historic appearance while the interior has been upgraded to a somewhat more modern motif.

The American Bar and Grill is situated about 15 miles south and east of town.

The American Bar and Grill is located at #6 Front Street in Stockett.

You can call (406) 736-5700 if you have any questions, or visit their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090399887271

Robert Weston Smith

By

Alan

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July 26, 2024

Ever wondered what made Wolfman Jack such an unforgettable voice on the airwaves? Known for his gravelly voice and eccentric personality, Wolfman Jack wasn’t just a DJ; he was a cultural phenomenon.

Born Robert Weston Smith in 1938, he crafted his Wolfman persona by blending rock ‘n’ roll with a wild, energetic delivery that captivated listeners across the United States.

His broadcasts in the 1960s and 1970s were an eclectic mix of music, humor, and theatrics, making him a beloved figure in the radio world.

One of the keys to Wolfman Jack’s success was his ability to connect with his audience. He made listeners feel like they were part of an exclusive club, with his late-night shows providing a soundtrack for their adventures.

His distinctive howl and playful banter set him apart from other DJs of the time.

Wolfman Jack’s influence extended beyond radio. He appeared in films like “American Graffiti” (1973), where he played himself, cementing his place in pop culture history.

His television appearances on shows like “Midnight Special” in the 1970s brought his dynamic style to a broader audience, proving his versatility as an entertainer.

His unique style wasn’t just about the music; it was about the experience.

Wolfman Jack’s shows were an audio journey, filled with surprises and a sense of spontaneity that kept listeners coming back for more.

Whether he was spinning the latest hits or sharing amusing anecdotes, his charisma and enthusiasm were infectious.

Wolfman Jack’s legacy lives on as a symbol of the golden age of radio.

His innovative approach and larger-than-life persona paved the way for future generations of broadcasters, ensuring that his howl will echo in the annals of radio history forever.

He continued to influence the airwaves until his death in 1995, leaving behind an indelible mark on the industry.