undefined | Better HN

0 pointsjedimind3y ago0 comments

It is also worth pointing out that centralized systems tend to drive people towards wanting decentralization over time, since it's only a matter of time until individuals get burned by the arbitrary whims of the rulers over centralized systems.

I never took such arguments seriously myself until my bank refused service to me without giving me any reason for it. Treating honest customers like criminals is exactly how people start distrusting centralized systems and their untrustworthy authority. In the dns/icann sphere there are also countless factors[0] that are evidence of this, not even talking about the dns hacks[1] or clear cut corruption of icann or censorship attempts.[2]

So it's not only about robustness vs efficiency, but also about additional factors like ownership and freedom + security et cetera.

[0] https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/09/website-domain-more...

[1] https://threatpost.com/unprecedented-dns-hijacking-attacks-l...

[2] https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/03/ukraine-wants-ru...

0 comments

blamestross3y ago

> So it's not only about robustness vs efficiency, but also about additional factors like ownership and freedom + security et cetera.

Id argue those are part of centralization vs decentralization

Plenty of systems that look decentralized at first glance really just have human organization as the central failure point. This is a great example of why most cryptocurrency is centralized (centralized development and management)

jedimindOP3y ago

One can always infinitely shift the goal post and nitpick if one has an axe to grind. The point is aiming for as little or as much decentralization possible to realize certain properties, it's not about having decentralization for the sake of decentralization. it's not a goal but a means to an end. we fundamentally want more ownership, freedom & security.

Priorities are also important: Unrealistic levels of decentralization make no sense before securing survival and increased usage. In addition, we don't need absolutely everything to be decentralized, but merely those components that help us manifest those properties we desire.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse