It’s Infrastructure Man!
I suppose one concept of infrastructure (from Latin infra, meaning beneath) is that it’s largely invisible or beneath notice. From the power grid to data centers, from water delivery to waste management, motor fuel to phone service… infrastructure is just there, chugging along, serving our needs without much thought. Most of us consider our infrastructure mostly when we’re paying for it — or when it fails.
One characteristic of off-grid living is that you have to be deliberate about your infrastructure. We have to pay some attention to the solar plant to keep the power flowing so the lights (and computers and hot water and fans) stay on and the car gets charged. We have to keep track of the water level in the catchment tank and keep the pumps and filters working if we’re to have water for laundry and emergencies. We have to keep the servers and routers and WiFi access points fiber cable and satellite link working if we’re to have telephones, television, and internet. We’re having to put thought and investment into building an emergency communications system so we can stay in touch with our neighbors if the “phone company” infrastructure fails. We’re even working toward having at least subsistence food supplies since the grocery store is so far away.
It’s a little more work, but it’s also a lot less money. Being retired, I have more time than money so it’s a good trade-off. There is also a good feeling associated with knowing where our power, water, and food is coming from and having some agency in it. Of course, that good feeling is countered by the bad feeling of knowing that, when it fails, it’s all on us to fix it. Still, that feels better than being reliant on faceless corporate entities.
—2p