2/ In all sorts of network logistics (transport, telegraph, telephone etc), historically the "last mile" has been the bane of infrastructure
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3/ The last mile was hard between 1970-1980 mainly because of physical complexity and legal right-of-way complexity
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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
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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
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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.
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7/ Two forces make the last block especially hard: increased demand and inequality.
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8/ Increased demand is obvious: USPS/FedEx etc weren't built with this much package flow in mind. Neither were front porches.
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9/ Inequality is less obvious: in an unequal society there is more incentive for low-level theft and pilfering, easiest at the last block.
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10/ I don't have numbers, but anecdotally, theft from porches etc. has risen: more temptation, more people in state to be tempted.
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11/ Concierge services for accepting packages are now increasingly a necessity in bigger cities.
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13/ The last block is also undergoing weird transformation on other networks. Consider net metering in solar power, charging of Teslas etc.
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14/ For eg. there are now fights over charging in charging stations, and homeowners setting up informal charging services on lawns.
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🤔Last block VIF had to soar before problems evident; exist at high level despite them. We NEVER left jewelry at door before…still don't
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Did you come across this idea they are trying out in Sweden yet? 'Bike apartments' with huge letterboxes. fastcoexist.com/3063204/world-
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