Clearly, very shortly, internet service will be viewed as just another utility. Indeed for most, it already is: Heat, Water, Garbage, Power, Internet...
Funny thing about this article, is that the Star Tribune frames the whole initiative as Minneapolis trying to be "cool". R.T. Rybak just wants to appeal to the hipsters, right? Even the subtitle is:
"The city sees wireless Web as a way to keep its cred with hipsters"
Seriously? How about, The city sees wireless web as a way to offer low-cost citywide internet access to its citizens? How about, The city sees WiFi as a catalyst for communication and creation of information amongst its taxpayers? How about, The city of Minneapolis sees WiFi as a way to offer services of all kinds to its residents in an efficient manner?
Interestingly enough, the only decent quote was not from a hipster, or a progressive businesswoman, or an executive director of the Citizens League, it was from a senior at Chaska High School, Katherine Rose Heal:
"I don't think we're that much ahead of anybody," she said. "It's like
garbage pickup. A long time ago, that was a cutting-edge thing. In a
couple of years, this won't be cutting edge."
Listen to the young people! This young woman did a better analysis of this in 4 simple sentences than the hapless John Reinan could do with an entire piece.
BigUpYaSelf Katherine Rose Heal!
Link: Minneapolis is cool with citywide Wi-Fi.