Analogies in Digital Policy Debates: The Internet as an Information Superhighway

The term information superhighway has its roots deeply embedded in the political and technological discourse surrounding the development of the Internet. Coined in the mid-1990s, often attributed to Vice President Al Gore, this term has been crucial in advocating for high-speed information networks. The analogy of the Internet as a superhighway has remained particularly popular, providing a tangible and relatable image for understanding complex digital concepts.

Origins and Popularization

Vice President Al Gore Jr. championed the benefits of high-speed information networks as early as 1978, and during his tenure as vice president under President Bill Clinton, he brought the concept of the information superhighway onto the national stage. This analogy, referred to by Al Gore, likens the Internet to a highway, facilitating the rapid and efficient transmission of data from one destination to another. The ITU Secretary General, Hamadoun Touré, further utilized this analogy to reinforce the idea that the control of the highways does not equate to ownership of the data being transmitted:

‘It is not because you own the highways that you are going to own all the trucks or cars running on them and certainly not the goods that they are transporting or vice versa.’

Diplo also has embraced the analogy in discussions around net neutrality, using it to clarify complex regulatory issues and to engage a broader audience in digital policy debates.

Analogies in Digital Policy

Using analogies to explain complex digital phenomena is a common practice among policymakers and technologists. For instance, in a recent blog post, the author likened the Internet data to cars traveling on a multi-lane highway of existing submarine cables. While this analogy is straightforward, the post also delved into a unique extension: FASTER, a 11,629km-long fiber optic link connecting Japan and Taiwan to the United States. The author explained that while FASTER’s data is packed into a bus instead of a car, both vehicles travel at the same speed, emphasizing that increased bandwidth is about increasing the capacity of the pathway rather than the type of vehicle.

Some engineering experts argue that the analogy has limitations. While the information superhighway analogy can effectively convey the idea of data transmission, it doesn't fully represent the complexities of fiber optic cables. Every fiber optic cable is composed of numerous strands, each functioning as a wavelength channel. The choice of analogy depends on the specific aspect being explained. For example, when illustrating the role of multiplexing, it would be more sensible to think of data packets as passengers rather than vehicles, as explained in another blog post. By considering passengers, the explanation becomes more efficient and visually intuitive.

Pros and Cons of Analogies in Digital Policy Debates

While analogies are invaluable tools for making complex concepts accessible to a general audience, they can also pose challenges. Analogies can oversimplify complex issues, leading to misunderstandings. For instance, in legal and political contexts, overly simplistic analogies can create a slippery slope, particularly when dealing with the nuances of the Internet.

Despite these limitations, analogies remain a powerful tool in digital policy debates, making technical and legal concepts more relatable and easier to understand. As such, it is crucial to choose the right analogy for the specific context and audience. Whether it is comparing the Internet to a superhighway, cars, buses, lanes, or passengers, the key is to effectively convey the desired message while acknowledging the potential limitations of any analogy.

Engaging in creative discussions on the benefits, uses, risks, and flaws of analogies can help refine the way policymakers and technologists communicate complex digital concepts. In conclusion, the digital superhighway analogy, while not perfect, has played a significant role in shaping public understanding of the Internet and continues to be a useful tool in digital policy debates.