The Wi-Fi Generation: Are We Human Guinea Pigs

Jim Luhrs
4 min readDec 13, 2022

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Some people are just network refugees trying to find a hotspot

It could be a unanimous statement to say that there are few things more frustrating than bad Wi-Fi. WiFi has been around for over 20 years and yet we still put up with sub par connectivity in some locations & situations. Over the decades we have been conditioned not to expect much from a random public WiFi hotspot and we have become so desensitized to the constant disappointment of free WiFi that in some cases we are pleasantly surprised when it works. How is it that we are up to out 6th generation of WiFi and yet an entire generation of people have grown up being the pseudo network beta testers.

Some people don’t do themselves any favors with their home WiFi connection but it’s baffling just how often people complain about WiFi issues and yet they don’t do anything to fix it. Despite the many advancements in wireless technology, many of us still put up with subpar Wi-Fi on a daily basis. But why do we put up with it? One reason is that, for many of us, the alternative to Wi-Fi is even worse. In the past, the only way to connect to the internet was through a wired Ethernet cable. This was not only inconvenient, but it also limited where we could use our computers and other devices. Wi-Fi, on the other hand, allows us to connect to the internet wirelessly, giving us the freedom to use our devices anywhere within range of the Wi-Fi signal.

Another reason we put up with bad Wi-Fi is that it can be difficult to know if the problem is with our Wi-Fi or with something else. For example, if a website is loading slowly, it’s not always clear whether the issue is with our Wi-Fi connection or with the website itself. This uncertainty can make it difficult to diagnose and fix Wi-Fi problems, leading us to simply put up with poor performance.

In addition, many of us are not tech-savvy enough to troubleshoot and fix Wi-Fi issues on our own. Wi-Fi can be a complex technology, and unless we have a good understanding of how it works, we may not know where to start when it comes to fixing Wi-Fi problems. This lack of knowledge can make us feel powerless, leading us to simply put up with bad Wi-Fi rather than trying to fix it.

Furthermore, even if we do know how to fix Wi-Fi problems, it can be time-consuming and inconvenient to do so. Wi-Fi issues can be caused by a variety of factors, such as interference from other devices, outdated hardware, or a poor Wi-Fi signal. Troubleshooting and fixing these problems can take time and effort, and many of us simply don’t have the patience or inclination to do so. The cost of upgrading to better Wi-Fi equipment or hiring a professional to fix the issues can be prohibitive for some. Wi-Fi routers and range extenders can be expensive, and hiring a professional to diagnose and fix the problem can add even more cost to the equation. For many of us, the cost and effort of upgrading our Wi-Fi simply isn’t worth it, leading us to continue putting up with poor performance.

But the reality is that bad Wi-Fi can have a significant impact on our lives. Poor Wi-Fi can slow down our internet connection, making it difficult to stream video, download files, or even browse the web. It can also be a source of frustration and stress, as we struggle to connect to the internet or maintain a stable connection.

So, what can we do to improve our Wi-Fi? The first step is to understand the factors that can affect Wi-Fi performance. These can include the location of the router, the type of Wi-Fi equipment we are using, and the number of devices connected to the network. By understanding these factors, we can take steps to improve our Wi-Fi, such as moving the router to a more central location, using ethernet on stationary devices like desktops and TV’s, upgrading to a newer router, or limiting the number of devices connected to the network. Often people are using the free router that comes from the ISP and this is in many cases is the source of the problem because it is often a cheap no thrills device that is good for grandma to surf the web but not designed for multiple people streaming multiple devices, free routers are like slave labor — you get what you pay for.

Ultimately the key to improving our Wi-Fi is to take an active role in managing and maintaining our home networks, invest in good equipment and make necessary upgrades & improvements to ensure that the Wi-Fi is performing at its best. By taking these steps, we can say goodbye to bad Wi-Fi at home and enjoy the benefits of a fast, reliable internet connection. Now if only there was a company looking to improve WiFi to be more accessible, secure, reliable & rewarding . . . www.nomadnodes.io

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Jim Luhrs
Jim Luhrs

Written by Jim Luhrs

Web3, Startups, AI & all things tech. Based in Christchurch, New Zealand. Founder of a Web3 startup and passionate about supporting local

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