Thread by @SarahJamieLewis

In one future: identity is "verified" through intrusive facial analysis & state documents. Data is hosted, & trivially censored, by large conglomerates.

In another future: identities are bound through cryptography & data is distributed through uncensorable overlay networks.

There are laws being debated around the world right now that attempt to set the course for a future where human interaction is mediated through universal surveillance.

There is a very real choice to make regarding which future you want to contribute to, and build towards.

Through action, or inaction, you will contribute towards building one of these futures.

You have to ask yourself if the paths you are, or the decisions that your are making, are leading to a future that you want.

I don't think either future is "solved" yet. Every systemic vision that has been laid out is fundamentally flawed just as much as it is fundamentally aligned with one of the two possible endgames.

Systems evolve no matter how much you try to design them.

Don't conflate your criticisms of a system (or, perish the thought, the *use* of a system) with a rejection of the future that system is trying to build for and aligned with.

Likewise, try not to conflate schadenfreude with support for a future may benefit from it.

Web3, NFTs and DAOs, like ICOs before them, are mostly noise. As are statements on end to end encryption, client side content scanning, copyright filters & verification gates.

All very loud noises drowning out the underlying conflict regarding the ultimate fate of the internet.