Should the national parks have greater cellphone coverage?/PEER
Should the National Park Service work to see 4G coverage extended to as much of the National Park System as possible? Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility doesn't believe that should happen, and is behind a petition drive to have that idea spiked before we find visitors experiencing the parks in the palms of their hands, and not by using all their senses.
"Our national parks are on the cusp of being wired for streaming videos, music downloads and on-line games for visitor-subscribers to extend 4G (4th Generation) coverage into parks such as Yellowstone. These developments will allow visitors ' particularly young people ' to experience our parks not through their eyes but with noses buried in their electronic devices," PEER says in pushing its petition drive.
"The proliferation of this cyber-infrastructure in our parks means more, ugly cell towers marring vistas, 'spill-over' coverage in wilderness and backcountry and the loss of solitude ' being disconnected from the electronic tendrils of the modern world. Do not further 'Disney-fy' our national parks. Disconnect the devices and reconnect with nature."
The petition is to be sent to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell. PEER hopes to get 15,000 signatures. As of mid-day Friday, it had 63.
Comments
Would the NPS have to pay for these sites? I am not sure the cell companies can justify the expense or do we plan on subsidizing them? I do enjoy being out of range, a perk of a national park from my perspective.
And we should put guard rails around the Grand Canyon, right? I understand the motivation to keep your wife safe but knowing the dangers and dealing with them is part of a back country experience, unless virtual is more comforting.
Who piddled on your post toasties, trailadvocate? My wife doesn't need water wings or guard rails - I'm just more comfortable if she has a way to call 911 if she needs it. Sheesh - nothing like taking a totally uncalled for pendulum swing on a comment.
Wilderness as such is "on your own." A psych nurse in the real world. No conscience need be present. It's real and a good thing, respectfully. Like the wolves, the bears and any other real being.
Interesting how everybody has an opinion on how others should experience the parks. Frankly, if private companies pay for the increased coverage, I say why not? People who want to get away from it all can leave the cell phone in the car. The majority probably won't.
Zeb and Rick, I am with you on this one, as long as it doesnt involve towers and sheds in the backcountry.
You might check with some backcountry rangers on how attitudes have negativly changed where cell service is discovered by those addicted to connectivity. A very large cell tower inside Grand Canyon NP and just 400 yards from the Rim has changed things dramatically in the inner Canyon. "Hey Joe, you'll never guess where I am."
I'd still be happy if cell phones were never invented, primarily due to users being oblivious to what I think is just common curtesy when using them. That said, I'm pretty sure they are here to stay (a guy can always dream though) and ready to give up the fight. I have the impression that there is pretty widespread coverage in the parks already so don't see that it will make much difference. One concern is the added feeling of safety that could pose a problem. I'll just call for help when I get lost, hungry, tired etc. instead of making sure one's prepared. I suspect that may be one of the unintended results. Like others have mentioned, keep the towers as discrete as possible.