The recent report of a cable snag that has slowed Asia’s Internet access reminded me of an old Wired article written by Neal Stephenson. It included “material pertaining to the business and technology of Undersea Fiber-Optic Cables, as well as an account of the laying of the longest wire on Earth.” It was such a lengthy article that I think there’s still a bookmark in that issue that has now been filed away. With Stephenson it’s not “just the facts ma’am”, but the facts plus a myriad of other fascinating facts, relevant history, opinionated commentary, and hefty helpings of irony. Anyway, it’s probably a very informative article. I just can’t bring myself to attempt reading it again right now. My bookmark in Cryptonomicon hasn’t moved in months either.