Written by Tavi Klein from goTenna. This article originated on www.inthemesh.com, a magazine dedicated to cataloguing the political economy driving the burgeoning decentralization movement.

As a college student, I generally carry the same things every day. If I need to buy a coffee before class to perk up a bit, boom, my wallet is right there in my back pocket. If I need to drive over to the store quickly to pick up some groceries, or get into my house after a long day, my keys are right there in my left pocket. Every morning, I get up, brush my teeth, throw my clothes on, and put these items in the same exact pockets before I head out the door, like clockwork.  

It wasn’t until recently when I discovered that there’s a whole community of people, better known as the EDC community or “EDCers,” who share a deep passion for these simple items I overlook, and truthfully, take for granted. I have never really thought about the deeper purpose behind what items I carry every day or why I carry them. 

Examples of everyday carry items  In its simplest form, everyday carry (EDC) is a collection of useful items that are consistently carried every day. If you search #edc on Instagram, over 11 million posts come up with different people showcasing their own EDC. You will see pictures posted by hikers, backpackers, survivalists, preppers, and travelers. You will also see posts from tech enthusiasts, delivery drivers, sports fans, students, and doctors. The unique thing about EDC is it’s personal, so it looks different for everyone. However, it all rests on the notion of being ready and being prepared for the next day at work, the next trip or the next hike. These items include wallets, key rings, watches, knives, flashlights, multitools, and pens.  

The logic behind EDC is pretty self-explanatory; these simple items help us solve recurring daily problems. However, there’s an even deeper-rooted function that EDC establishes. While these everyday items help us solve problems in the now, they also help give us an edge in being prepared for the future. I emphasize the word prepared  because we can never really know what will happen in the next hour, two, or three until it actually happens. 

Unsurprisingly, EDC has taken a major technological turn with the addition of items like cell phones, speakers, headphones, and portable chargers. In a society that now revolves around technology, problems we face today look entirely different from the problems our parents and grandparents faced. Currently, over 7 billion people worldwide now own a cellphone. Studies have shown that 36% of people check their phones constantly, while 54% of young adults are checking constantly. Furthermore, 44% of Americans say they couldn’t go a day without their mobile devices.  

What these statistics suggest is that it makes complete sense why cellphones have become an essential part of EDC. As comedian Dave Chapelle stated, modern problems require modern solutions. He’s not wrong. Connectivity and communication have become vital aspects of how we live our daily lives. Our phones have become an extension of who we are, and more importantly, how we operate on a daily basis. They have become the go-to tool for a lot of people, like me.  

But for the EDC community, average adults, or students like me, what happens when our cellphones aren’t working how they’re supposed to? How do we stay prepared when such an integral tool we utilize every day isn’t there to help us when things take a turn for the worst? We rely so much on these devices to help us solve a number of our daily problems that in some of the most pressing situations, they simply aren’t there to back us up.  

Here’s where we welcome goTenna Mesh.

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