1/ Tweetstorm: What's The Problem With The Last Block?
Conversation
Replying to
2/ In all sorts of network logistics (transport, telegraph, telephone etc), historically the "last mile" has been the bane of infrastructure
1
5
9
Replying to
3/ The last mile was hard between 1970-1980 mainly because of physical complexity and legal right-of-way complexity
1
5
Replying to
4/ In raw numbers, the last mile probably accounts for the bulk of actual miles traveled by anything on a network due to number of endpoints
1
1
6
Replying to
5/ The last mile is the last to go hi-tech. Containerization stops at city limits. Fiber optics shifted to local-loop copper until recently
1
5
Replying to
6/ The last *block* though, is hard for other reasons. It's still physically and legally complex, but that isn't the hardest part anymore.
1
4
Replying to
7/ Two forces make the last block especially hard: increased demand and inequality.
2
4
Replying to
8/ Increased demand is obvious: USPS/FedEx etc weren't built with this much package flow in mind. Neither were front porches.
1
1
5
Replying to
9/ Inequality is less obvious: in an unequal society there is more incentive for low-level theft and pilfering, easiest at the last block.
1
6
Replying to
10/ I don't have numbers, but anecdotally, theft from porches etc. has risen: more temptation, more people in state to be tempted.
1
5
Replying to
12/ You have both large, high-value packages that are awkward for small lockers, stairwells, and jewelry-level value in things like iPhones
3
4
Replying to
13/ The last block is also undergoing weird transformation on other networks. Consider net metering in solar power, charging of Teslas etc.
1
5
Show replies
