Internet Arrogance

As I write this I am anchored in Margaret Bay on the east coast of Australia about 100 miles south of the Torres Straight. This is aboriginal country. There is no technology and thus no Internet. While sailing last night I picked up a stray WiFi signal. Just enough to download an email from my bank. I needed to call them.

In an effort to further "protect" me the bank introduced "two factor authentication." When you call they want to send a text or email to you with a one time code. Of course there is no cell or Wifi coverage here or for that matter in many of the places I visit. The agent did not know how to deal with someone who did not have text messaging and instant email. So she could not help me because I could not authenticate. Great. Nor was the recording to visit their website amusing.

It may come as a great surprise to the "head sheds" in the developed world to discover that cell service and WiFi do not blanket the known universe.

BTW cost of useless satellite telephone call - $100 USD.

Fair winds and following seas :)

PS This email will queue and sometime in the future actually get transmitted.