Yup, replace the internet. That’s how the Global Grid Forum would have it. A while ago, I posted about the revolutionary Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. One tiny thing I forgot to mention is the incredible computing power needed to process endless data that the LHC will be churning out (said to be some peta-bytes of data annually, whatever would that be).

Solution: Invent a turbocharged internet that will connect supercomputers around the world. The whole thing is ominously called the Grid or the LHC Computing Grid. The specs include dedicated routing, fiber optics, servers, and, of course, supercomputers. Result: Download that’s 10000 times faster than broadband. That’s faster than Caltech’s Fast Transmission Control Protocol ( = 6000x faster). It turns out Caltech is involved in the Grid project.

However, the Grid is more than just fast downloads. It’s really about consolidating the world’s supercomputers to detect and analyze elusive sub-atomic particles (at this point).

And before I forget, the Grid is already online. It’s time to coin new terms, man! Where were you when I was plugged into the Matrix, er, the Grid? Still surfing? Haha!

Verdict: Said to download the Rolling Stones back catalogue from Britain to Japan in two seconds.

Revised verdict: Hints at the Matrix, Terminator 3, I Robot, and other overbearing meta-conscious AI.