The document highlights advancements in high-performance collaboration and networked computing spearheaded by the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) and CALIT2, focusing on reducing distance in collaborative environments through robust optical networks. It discusses the evolution of various projects and technologies, like the OptiPuter, that support high-speed data transfer and interactive visual supercomputing across geographic locations. Emerging infrastructure, such as the National Lambda Rail and teragrid, is creating avenues for scalable and efficient collaborative scientific research at unprecedented speeds.