You need to know about WiMAX

I just accidentally erased what I wrote, so I'll sum it up in a list. You should worry about this later, possibly while trying to sleep.

FACTS: WiMAX is the new wireless standard. It's as fast as Wi-Fi, but applicable for mobile standards, too.

WiMAX will eventually replace cellular networks, wireless broadband, and most 'wired' forms of communication. Cellphones can be replaced by Voice Over IP with WiMAX for cheap. Broadband access to a large area will occur with WiMAX technology. RFID chips in your grocery bag could be attached to a WiMAX network. Your car could drive itself via a WiMAX receiver (See Darpa challenge). Your medical history on an RFID could be attached to a WiMAX network.

BAD THINGS
The company that is pioneering WiMAX is called "Clearwire". Clearwire is composed of Sprint, Intel, Google, Comcast and TimeWarner. The most trustworthy name in conglomerations.

As the media-sphere becomes more filled with commercials, bandwidth will have to be devoted to advertisements. Because every device will have internet connectivity, advertising will go 'beyond' penetrating.

The individual's right to privacy will be decreased - by consumer research. When connecting to a network with a wireless device, that device will be able to provide instant information to an analyst to target advertisements to that person.

Surveillance technology could theoretically be controlled via a WiMAX network - instant cameras installed in unmanned aircraft could monitor a large area.

In a non-democratic country, large sections of the population could be controlled and manipulated via WiMAX. If you wanted to spread propaganda, you could easily have it linked to any of the access points in the area.

Any technology with WiMAX would ultimately have to pass through two economic filters: 1. Intel technology, because the chipsets that handle WiMAX are going to be Intel, and 2. Qualcomm's patents on the technology.

GOOD THINGS

WiMAX is seen as a solution to the digital divide. People in developing areas would be able to have internet access on a large scale so that they could compete with areas that already have internet access.

Of course, the cynic in me points out that anytime there is a society at risk, the infrastructure of that society is what ultimately determines the success or failure of that philantropic effort.

But good news, one step closer to singularity.