Lately, I sense a collision of the real world, the cyber world, and the high seas and maritime domain. First, a confession, I’m not a online gamer and have limited knowledge and understanding of video games especially online games, so while I think I generally understand what’s going on with the web, that’s a caveat that needs to be out there.

Various articles, some here and here, have discussed Google’s patent and ideas to put some server farms out to sea for a variety of reasons: ability to leverage the water as a natural coolant, extract electricity via wave action, and not least, the potential to avoid taxes. There are two similar precedents that I am aware of, pirate radio stations and "micro nations." Pirate radio stations have operated off many countries but the UK seems to have been especially exploited, with Radio Caroline being one of the more famous operators. These stations operated from small craft off the territorial limits to avoid taxes and laws and give that illegal feel although many did register with governments.

The, there’s that wonderful concept of the micro-nation best exemplified by that wacky entity known as the Principality of Sealand, which has changed hands a few times involving skullduggery and armed invaders. This facility was built by the Brits during WWII and operated as a antiaircraft structure which had been towed out about six miles from the port at Suffolk England and then flooded and anchored but later abandoned after the war. Famously, Major Paddy Roy Bates seized control from some other pirate radio broadcasters and established his Principality, even producing passports and coinage.

So, the idea of a Google inspired floating or sailing concept is not that far fetched. Then you have my concept here of creating of the US Cybership Resolute and an issuance of a letter of Marque and Reprisal from the US Congress to conduct cyberspace operations against designated terrorist entities. In the last couple of days, various reports have discussed the alleged hacking of an Al Qaeda website preventing the release of a message celebrating the 9/11 attacks. The JAWA Report here also takes some credit (I think justifiably so) for these attacks against As-Sahab, Al Qaeda’s media outlet.

Now, about ten days some commentary about terrorists potentially using an using an online game called World of Warcraft with a great post by Noah Shachtman at Wired Magazines Danger Room Blog here. So far, there are 300+ replies and they range from laughing at the whole concern of Pentagon staffers that worry about these online potential collaborative sites to people saying there is a serious potential for bad guys to collaborate. I come down squarely in the middle, while I don’t subscribe to the heavy breathing, OF COURSE online collaborative potential exists between bad guys, JUST as it could and should exist among good guys. In a few days, I’ll post another Excalibur idea for collaboration.