Efforts to beam the internet to all parts of the globe are gathering pace. It could ultimately liberate billions but may bring upheaval too, says Jamais Cascio

Global connectivity planned Olena T/Getty

Could toppling dictatorships be as easy as flying a balloon or lofting a satellite? Some of the proponents of schemes to provide global wireless internet from the skies seem to think so.

After all, we have seen the effect that a brief wave of uncontrolled internet access had in the Arab Spring. Imagine how much more lasting and eventful the effects of an internet largely outside of the control of governments who seek to censor it could be. These schemes are nearing reality, as indicated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX seeking consent last week to …