“Open Access and the Economics of the Internet” – Greenstein, S. (2000), Journal of Economic Perspectives , Vol. 14, No. 4, pp. 215–236.
In that paper, Greenstein explains how early small entrepreneurs (like Sheldon’s fictional startup) could resell or build small ISP networks before DSL/cable monopolies took over — exactly what Sheldon attempts.
(2000) – Wired magazine article by Kevin Kelly, but there is a related academic paper: “Local Competition and the Role of Regulation: The EU and US Experience” (2014, Telecommunications Policy ). young sheldon s03e03 ddc
In Young Sheldon Season 3, Episode 3 (“An Entrepreneurialist and a Swat on the Bottom”), Sheldon starts a “DSL business” (a “Do-It-Yourself” Internet service provider) to fund his science projects. A real-world paper that captures the entrepreneurial, tech-innovative, and historically relevant spirit of that episode is:
by Clayton M. Christensen (1997, Harvard Business Review / book). “Open Access and the Economics of the Internet”
However, an even more fun and accessible choice for the episode’s theme is:
But for a more specific paper-length read that ties directly to Sheldon’s DIY/early-ISP concept: (2000) – Wired magazine article by Kevin Kelly,
by Flamm, K. (2005) – Journal of Financial Economics (working paper version also available via NBER).
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