alt Hacker News> but without enough structure (or mass appeal) to take off
I think the most important requirement for a mesh technology to take off is a purpose that is practically relevant right now. Let's assume the mesh network exists - now what? Now you can send messages to other nerds but ... what do you even want to send as a message? That's why ham radio basically bottomed out at contests, Morse code challenges and exchanging specs ... there is nothing to say. Maybe the biggest problem of mesh networks isn't technology but society. If there is a purpose that at least serves nerds making up 0.1% of the population then that would be amazing and mass appeal would actually be more cause for trouble than desirable.
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It's the same problem with things like Geminispace, or hobbyist phone networks. The only thing Gemini users have in common is hating what the internet has become. The only thing TandmX users have in common is some interest in phones or phone systems.
But on the other hand, isn't it also true of the Internet?
Yeah, nobody wants to chew the rag anymore!
Off-grid messaging is helpful for my family (skiing, camping, hiking). They have zero interest in ham radio but a funny looking messaging app isn't a problem. Regular walkies talkies (FRS, GMRS) don't relay/hop, work asynchronously, or transmit GPS positions.