3/ The last mile was hard between 1970-1980 mainly because of physical complexity and legal right-of-way complexity
-
-
Replying to @vgr
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 reply 1 retweet 6 likes -
Replying to @vgr
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 reply 0 retweets 5 likes -
Replying to @vgr
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 reply 0 retweets 4 likes -
Replying to @vgr
7/ Two forces make the last block especially hard: increased demand and inequality.
2 replies 0 retweets 4 likes -
Replying to @vgr
8/ Increased demand is obvious: USPS/FedEx etc weren't built with this much package flow in mind. Neither were front porches.
1 reply 1 retweet 5 likes -
Replying to @vgr
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 reply 0 retweets 7 likes -
Replying to @vgr
10/ I don't have numbers, but anecdotally, theft from porches etc. has risen: more temptation, more people in state to be tempted.
1 reply 0 retweets 6 likes -
Replying to @vgr
11/ Concierge services for accepting packages are now increasingly a necessity in bigger cities.
1 reply 0 retweets 5 likes -
Replying to @vgr
12/ You have both large, high-value packages that are awkward for small lockers, stairwells, and jewelry-level value in things like iPhones
3 replies 0 retweets 5 likes
13/ The last block is also undergoing weird transformation on other networks. Consider net metering in solar power, charging of Teslas etc.
-
-
Replying to @vgr
14/ For eg. there are now fights over charging in charging stations, and homeowners setting up informal charging services on lawns.
1 reply 0 retweets 4 likes -
Replying to @vgr
15/ Even more subtleties: Airbnb etc. require more sophisticated security for the last block: key transfers, digital locks etc.
1 reply 0 retweets 5 likes - 24 more replies
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.