I think that the Internet is the best thing to happen since the wheel. In fact, as a feature writer for the website of a large company located in another state, it would not be possible for me to earn a living from this island paradise without it. So I am definitely not a Luddite and, in fact, need to be connected.

Having said that, what are all these “Do You Want Faster Internet?” signs about that are popping up all over this island? Forget the issue of whether faster is better for a second. Does anyone else notice the irony that many of this signs are nailed to trees? For me, treating a tree as a signpost kind of answers the faster-is-better question. However, if you still want to pursue the issue:

Firstly, we are comparing nanoseconds to milliseconds [I Googled this] for megabucks. Secondly, why? It would also be faster to put in a few stop lights at key intersections that we can all name, pave every road on the island and build a pontoon toll bridge from Cattle Point to Lopez! All would be faster; all might even raise property values.

It’s called Seattle and why most of us have chosen to live here instead of the faster there. You who miss all that faster stuff that you left behind, please stop trying to replicate it here. This island, as well as my keystrokes, are just speedy enough, thank you.

Dennis Linden

Friday Harbor