The Stack

Understanding the stack

The concept of “The Stack” provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the layers of infrastructure that make up contemporary digital networks and systems. The stack consists of various layers of hardware, software, protocols and standards, all interconnected and interdependent. This framework helps in organizing and comprehending the complex and often hidden systems that influence our daily lives. The stack includes both physical and virtual elements, continuously evolving as new technologies and innovations emerge. Importantly, the stack is shaped by cultural, political and economic forces, highlighting how technology and infrastructure impact our world.

The six layers of the stack

The stack is composed of six distinct layers: Earth, Cloud, City, Address, Interface and User. Each layer represents a different aspect of digital infrastructure and its interaction with the physical and social world.

• The Earth layer includes the physical foundations of digital infrastructure, such as energy sources, raw materials and the geographical locations of data centers. It emphasizes the environmental and resource-based aspects of technology.
• The cloud layer consists of data centers, servers and networking equipment that provide the backbone for digital services. It highlights the centralized nature of data storage and processing
• The city layer represents the urban environments where digital infrastructure is embedded, including smart cities and the integration of technology into urban planning and services.
• The address layer involves the systems that manage digital identities and locations, such as IP addresses and domain names. It underscores the importance of connectivity and accessibility in the digital realm.
• Interfaces mediate interactions between users and digital systems. This layer includes software applications, user interfaces and the design elements that facilitate user experience.
• The user layer encompasses the individuals, organizations and even artificial intelligences that interact with the stack. It highlights the agency and behavior of those who engage with digital technologies.

Interdisciplinary nature of the stack

The stack is an interdisciplinary concept, drawing from fields such as political philosophy, architectural theory and software studies. This multidisciplinary approach allows for a more holistic understanding of the technological landscape, recognizing that digital infrastructure is influenced by a variety of academic and practical disciplines. By integrating insights from different areas, scholars can better grasp the complexities and nuances of the stack.

Geopolitical implications of the stack

The stack challenges traditional notions of sovereignty and geopolitics by proposing a new form of governance that operates on a planetary scale. Digital infrastructure transcends national boundaries, necessitating new frameworks for global governance. This shift has significant implications for how power is distributed and exercised, as well as for issues related to data sovereignty, cybersecurity and international collaboration. Understanding these geopolitical dimensions is essential for navigating and influencing global power structures.

The stack as an accidental megastructure

The stack can be described as an “accidental megastructure,” meaning that it has emerged organically from the convergence of various computational systems rather than being deliberately designed. This unplanned coherence shapes our world in profound ways, influencing everything from economic systems to social interactions. Recognizing the stack as a megastructure helps appreciate the scale and complexity of digital infrastructure, as well as the unintended consequences that can arise from its evolution.

Google as a multi-layer entity

Google serves as a prime example of how multiple layers of the stack interact. Its vast network of data centers and services represents the Cloud layer, providing the backbone for its extensive digital offerings. Google’s role in organizing and indexing information aligns with the Address layer, managing digital identities and locations through its search engine and other services. The company’s search engine and other user-facing products exemplify the Interface layer, facilitating interactions between users and the vast amount of information available online. Additionally, the way individuals interact with and are shaped by Google’s services highlights the User layer, showcasing how user behavior and data contribute to the overall functioning of the stack.

Smart cities

Smart cities integrate multiple layers of the stack to enhance urban living. The Earth layer encompasses the physical infrastructure and resources required to support digital technologies, such as energy sources and raw materials. The Cloud layer involves the data processing and storage systems that manage the vast amounts of information generated by the city. The City layer represents the urban environment itself, where technology is embedded into urban planning and public services. The Address layer includes IoT devices and sensors distributed throughout the city, enabling connectivity and data collection. The Interface layer pertains to how citizens interact with smart city services through applications and public displays. Lastly, the User layer consists of the inhabitants whose data and interactions drive the functionality of the smart city.

Planetary skin project

The NASA-Cisco Planetary Skin project exemplifies the interaction of multiple stack layers. The Earth layer includes global environmental monitoring systems that track various ecological parameters. The Cloud layer involves the data processing and analysis required to interpret the vast amounts of environmental data collected. The Address layer comprises the sensor networks and data collection points distributed around the globe, facilitating comprehensive monitoring. The Interface layer is how the collected data is presented and used, allowing scientists and policymakers to make informed decisions based on real-time information.

Internet of things

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a phenomenon that integrates several layers of the stack. The Earth layer covers the physical devices and the resources they require, such as sensors and actuators. The Cloud layer involves the data storage and processing necessary to manage the information generated by IoT devices. The Address layer includes the unique identifiers assigned to each “thing” in the network, ensuring proper connectivity and data routing. The Interface layer pertains to how users interact with IoT devices through applications and dashboards. The User layer encompasses both human users and the devices themselves as “users” of the stack, highlighting the dynamic interactions between different entities within the network.

Critical perspectives on capitalism within the stack

Capitalist infrastructure plays a significant role within the stack, encompassing the layers of hardware, software, protocols and standards that facilitate the functioning of global systems. This infrastructure is deeply intertwined with political, economic and social systems, creating a complex web of interdependencies. Driven by profit-seeking motives, capitalist infrastructure shapes the flow of information, resources and power through the stack, reinforcing capitalist dynamics and interests. It enables the concentration of wealth, facilitates the extraction of value from labor and resources and perpetuates social and economic inequalities.

Global governance and institutions within the stack often reflect and serve the interests of powerful capitalist actors. These institutions, including international organizations, trade agreements and financial systems, play a crucial role in shaping and regulating global economic activities. However, they tend to reinforce the existing capitalist order, limiting the space for alternative economic models and approaches. Capitalist influence in these institutions creates a barrier for transformative change, as they prioritize profit-seeking and capitalist norms over social and environmental considerations.

Capitalism also leverages and shapes technological advancements within the stack, leading to the dominance of certain technological platforms and systems. These technologies, controlled by powerful corporations, facilitate surveillance, data extraction and market dominance. The integration of these technologies into various aspects of life strengthens capitalist structures by intensifying commodification, increasing productivity and facilitating the extraction of value. The dominance of capitalist-driven technologies within the stack reinforces existing power structures, exacerbates inequalities and creates new forms of dependency.

Also, capitalism generates intricate economic interdependencies that span across nations and regions within the stack. These interdependencies are driven by capitalist logic, where the pursuit of profit and market exchange shapes global economic relationships. As countries become integrated into global supply chains and financial networks, they become increasingly reliant on capitalist systems and face challenges in deviating from established norms. Disruptions to trade, investments or access to resources can have far-reaching consequences, reinforcing the interconnectedness and interdependence of capitalist economies.

Taking a critical and materialist perspective on these aspects of capitalism within the stack allows for questioning and challenging the underlying power structures and dynamics that perpetuate exploitation, inequality and environmental degradation. Understanding the influence of capitalist infrastructure, global governance, technological dominance and economic interdependencies helps explore alternative models that prioritize social and environmental well-being over profit-seeking. This critical lens enables the imagination and pursuit of a future where the stack is reimagined and redesigned to serve the collective good rather than perpetuate capitalist interests.

Future implications of the stack

The stack is continually evolving and its future implications for society, governance and the environment are profound. As new technologies emerge and existing systems become more integrated, the stack will likely influence everything from global governance structures to individual behaviors. Anticipating these changes involves staying informed about technological advancements, understanding their potential impacts and considering strategies to address the challenges they present. The future trajectory of the stack will significantly shape the relationship between technology and various aspects of human life.