Lot of 49 projects and artworks

[Dave Monroe]

On Fri, Nov 21, 2008 at 2:56 AM, Tore Rye Andersen <torerye at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Paul Rafferty asked:
>
>> Is anyone familiar with any contemporary alternative mail systems or
>> artworks that explore similar ideas to those discussed in Crying of Lot 49?
>
> and Dave replied:
>
>> I think we're using one even as we, uh, "speak" ...
>
> Within the vast 'official' Internet there are small, dark, secret, alternative
> networks, so-called 'darknets', which would seem to constitute just the kind of
> alternative mail system you're looking for. You can read more about darknets
> here:
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darknet_(file_sharing)

The Name

The Unternet is also called U-Net or Das Net. The name is German since
German engineers came up with the idea in the early 1980's. Moreover
it's a pleasant counter-weight of the omnipresent English of the
Internet.

The Project

The U-Net is an international project in which multiple governments
participate. Especially the USA have made large contributions, but the
biggest pioneers are the Netherlands and Germany.

The U-Net is an international network between toilets....

[...]

Another important step that has to be taken is installing a reversed
flushing mechanism a.k.a. RFP (Reverse Flushing Protocol) in all
toilets to digitize each toilet. This mechanism can then be used to
pick up post packages whenever you want. Some experiments of this
system have been taken with some success.

In contrast to the ordinary Internet, the U-Net will be especially
useful for exchanging wares instead of just information....

[...]

Criticism
Critics say that traffic through the Unternet will be befouled,
because it will have to take the same route as most excrements.
Therefore, scientists are currently developing a special new kind of
plastic that's resistant to high water pressure and protective to your
wares....

http://uncyclopedia.wikia.com/wiki/Unternet