The Wild

Hot off the Press

Fahrenheit 5G is the title of an article I recently read in Wired Magazine. In it, the author tells the tale of the lone operative who evaded authorities for more seven months while burning more than 20 telecommunications towers.

It is an interesting tale of a self styled hero trying to make the world a better place… by burning it down.

While I am not sure I can see the logic in his stated motives, I find it to be an interesting tale for other reasons. In a society that seems to be edging into a surveillance state, how did this guy evade capture for over six months?

The Connection

I am not deeply versed in technology or communications, but I do understand that 5G is one of the key technologies necessary for “smart cities” of the future. What are smart cities? The answer to that varies depending on where you are philosophically and geographically.

At the most basic level smart cities are designed to leverage technology and information to provide a more efficient and comfortable living experience. By integrating a variety of sensors, the smart city can constantly collect and update a wide range of information. In Utopian visions this means that people are better served and happier. Conversely, real world examples already exist in which the technology (smart cities) has been used to clamp down on outspoken dissidents.

Hot Iron

I cannot help but see the irony. As a key technology in the development of mass surveillance, the fact that this guy (a wanted fugitive) managed to evade authorities for 7 months while torching over 20 towers is quite something. In a way I guess I find it comforting to know that the surveillance state we have come to fear is still quite far from realization.

Lastly I was surprised that I had not heard anything about this prior to reading the Wired article. By comparison, most people I associate with are familiar with the “Blade Runners” movement in the UK. The group and its activities have appeared through notable news agencies here in Canada on many occasions.

I have to say that I am happy this one slipped under my radar (:

Reference

“5G Cell Tower, Colorado Springs” by lumenwilde is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

https://www.wired.com/story/22-cell-towers-one-vigilante-world-of-conspiracies/