Decentralized Computing: The Future of Resilience When the Grid or Internet Fails
A closer look at the Umbrel and Start9 soverign computers.
Let’s talk about something that could be a game-changer when the proverbial crap hits the fan: decentralized computers.
Specifically, devices like Umbrel and Start9.
These aren’t just tech toys for geeks—they’re tools that could keep you connected, informed, and in control if the internet goes dark or the electrical grid takes a nosedive.
In a world where centralized systems are increasingly vulnerable, these little powerhouses might just be your ace in the hole.
What Are Umbrel and Start9?
If you’re new to this, Umbrel and Start9 are open-source platforms that let you run your own personal server on something as simple as a Raspberry Pi or a dedicated device.
Think of them as mini command centers for your digital life.
They’re designed to host apps, store data, and keep your network humming—all without relying on Big Tech’s cloud or centralized infrastructure.
Umbrel’s got a user-friendly vibe, packing things like Bitcoin nodes, file storage, and media servers.
Start9, meanwhile, leans hard into privacy and sovereignty, offering a slick way to run services like encrypted chat or VPNs, often over the Tor network.
These aren’t just backups for your Netflix binge. They’re built for resilience. And that’s where they shine when survival is on the line.
App stores
Check out each devices app store to see all of the apps you can run.
Why They Matter When It All Goes Down
Picture this: a solar flare knocks out the grid, or a cyberattack takes down the internet.
Maybe it’s a natural disaster, or—let’s not kid ourselves—some government decides to pull the plug on connectivity.
Centralized systems collapse fast in these scenarios.
Your ISP? Dead.
Google Drive? Gone.
Social media? Silent.
But with a decentralized setup like Umbrel or Start9, you’ve got options.
Local Control, No Internet Needed: These systems run on your hardware, at home.
If the internet’s toast, you can still access your files, communicate locally, or even trade digitally (think Bitcoin Lightning nodes) with others nearby who’ve got their own setups.
It’s like having your own intranet when the world’s web unravels.
Power Independence
Pair these with a solar panel and a battery bank—stuff you’re probably already thinking about for off-grid living—and they sip so little juice that they’ll keep running while your neighbors are scrambling in the dark.
A Raspberry Pi draws about 5 watts. That’s nothing compared to keeping a fridge alive.
Community Resilience
Here’s the kicker: if enough of us run these, we can create mesh networks.
No central internet? No problem. Devices like these can talk to each other directly or via radio relays, keeping info flowing.
Imagine bartering goods, sharing news, or coordinating survival efforts without some corporate middleman—or a government kill switch.
Real-World Edge
Don’t just take my word for it. Look at how folks use these now.
Umbrel’s Bitcoin node users keep transactions humming even when banks or payment apps falter.
Start9’s privacy buffs run their own email or chat servers, dodging surveillance. In a crisis, that’s not just convenience—that’s power.
If the grid’s out long-term, decentralized tech could be the backbone of a new local economy or communication grid.
The Catch
It’s not all rosy. Setting these up takes some know-how—less with Umbrel, more with Start9 if you’re tweaking it hardcore.
Hardware can fail (SD cards on Raspberry Pis are notorious weak links), and if you’re not careful, a power surge could fry your setup.
Plus, they’re only as good as your ability to keep them juiced and secure.
But that’s survival 101: prep, adapt, overcome.
Why Now?
We’re not in chaos yet, but the signs are there. Data centers are straining the U.S. grid—some areas are already seeing blackouts from the load.
Cyber threats are spiking, and centralized internet choke points are begging to be hit. Decentralized computers aren’t a silver bullet, but they’re a hedge.
Get familiar now, before you’re forced to figure it out in the dark.
Your Move
Grab a Raspberry Pi, download Umbrel, or splurge on a Start9 Embassy device.
Start small—host your own files or a chat server. Test it with a cheap solar setup. Build the skills.
Because when the lights go out or the web goes quiet, the ones who thrive won’t be waiting for someone else to fix it.
They’ll already have the tools.
Stay sharp.
Some mini PCs are very cheap right now. You can just setup you Linux distro with your favorite stuff. Plus, since you mentioned radio relays, there's technology like Meshtastic which is at a beta stage at the moment.
According to Eman Mostaque you can also run their open source AI completely decentralized on a raspberry pi. That’s the real opportunity. Essentially put all medical knowledge or other repository of information on a decentralized device. A great way to preserve knowledge.