If they kill the Internet we just invent “the next step”. I don’t know what that is but someone will. I have been suggesting something along the line of networking through CB radios. It seems to me passing info along a chain of short distance transmission accomplishes a couple things to combat tyranny. One, it assumes from the beginning it is not secure. Two, it would be a nightmare for the NSA and FBI trying to track down millions of short distance transmitters. It just opens a realm of freedom the gummint would really struggle to deal with.
The problem with tyrants is their lust for power NEVER exceeds folks yearning to be free.
If China gets this gift we will face a huge orbital challenge. If diplomacy fails the key to controlling the internet is the satellite system [and possibly using landline connections again].
The next step might ultimately be a new fleet of communications satellites and satellite-killer tech:
Hard Evidence: ICANN & China Allied to Re-Centralize Internet
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3472563/posts
“I have been suggesting something along the line of networking through CB radios.”
There already are ham radio networks like that. Have been for decades.