Substratum: The Internet's Best Solution for Net Neutrality?

in cryptocurrency •  7 years ago  (edited)

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There are many merits to free and open access to information. With the recent FCC's repeal of net neutrality, giving Internet Service Providers (ISPs) control over access-points to Internet resources, further fragmentation is bound to happen and the lack of net neutrality could stifle the power of network effects. Cyberbalkanization will be expedited under such an arrangement, especially between Internet users that have no choice over their ISPs. It's a slippery slope for censorship. It'll create an insidious problem, even if the intent is absent. Here's what cyberbalkanization means:-

Cyberbalkanization is the segregation of the Internet into smaller groups with similar interests, to a degree that they show a narrow-minded approach to outsiders or those with contradictory views. While the Internet has largely been credited for broadening discussion, it also can serve as a means of bringing together fringe groups with intolerant viewpoints. So, while the Internet has contributed to globalization and information exchange, it also may be used to foster discrimination.
by Techopedia

While net neutrality has been holding back free market solutions by the private sector, I personally think that net neutrality should stay, just like our unspoken rule about mail neutrality. It's clearly a bad idea if mailing networks are discriminatory and doesn't serve any of your mails or attempts to communicate with certain parts of the population. It's the virtual equivalent of Trump's wall. All consenting parties should ideally be able to communicate with one another with filters / restrictions. However, the nature in which net neutrality is maintained ought to be shifting into the power of markets, away from good old nation-state control.

Public-and-private-sector (1).jpg

Source: Startup-Book

But it's not as simple as it seems. Even though net neutrality has been repealed, it remains that ISPs will still be dependent on the cost-intensive infrastructures that are funded, built, and maintained by the entrepreneurial state. The private sector wouldn't be able to manage building out the entire foundations of the Internet on their own without absorbing too much capital risks.

So we're left with a far bigger problem with the end of net neutrality, whether or not if you agree with state-control. In any case, ISPs don't actually operate in a free market since they have a dependency on expensive infrastructures that are a mix of the private and public sector. A better description of the modus operandi of ISPs is that they operate in a licensed cartel environment. Even Andreas Antonopolous explained the same thing here.

Personally, I think ISPs will end up trying to capitalise on specific segments of Internet traffic with huge influxes of user activity. You've guessed it: cryptocurrency-related activities would be a lucrative target to gatekeep. It's the fastest growing phenomenon on the Internet anyway.


Source: https://substratum.net/

With net neutrality being a hot topic recently, I came across a cryptocurrency project called Substratum, thanks to @lpfaust's notification. After studying their whitepaper and devlogs, I'm actually quite convinced now their solution is positioned extremely well in the space to provide free and open access for anyone with an Internet connection. All with the right token economics that'll enable mass adoption since anyone can participate easily in the mesh network with any web browser, all without the need for VPN or Tor.

I've personally acquired some Substratum (SUB) tokens recently because I believe this is a great free market solution for net neutrality, particularly when access to the Internet has now fallen onto the whims of overly-large corporations with vested interests that might work against the grain of users. I think it's going to be a huge win for everyone even in places like China and Venezuela with firewalls on web content, if the end product works. Check out Substratum's recent devlog:-

If money is pure information and a content-type, the solutions for net neutrality offered by Substratum will be a great benefit for cryptocurrencies and Internet users worldwide, in my opinion. Definitely a long-term hold for me. I think they've something legit and wish they'd get more attention and scrutiny to get it going. Please resteem this if you like the message. Hopefully this has been an informative post. Thanks for reading!

PS: Substratum reminds me of this scene in the Silicon Valley series.

Resources

Substratum website: https://substratum.net/
How-it-works: https://substratum.net/how-it-works/
Whitepaper: https://substratum.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Substratum_English_Whitepaper.pdf
Markets: https://coinmarketcap.com/currencies/substratum/#markets



This is not to be taken as financial advice. Please do your own research.
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Hey man, thanks for pointing out Substratum. There is so much new technology manifesting it is difficult to keep up. It’s cool to help the community out when something peeks our interest as these opportunities could easily get missed. The net nuetrality decision was kind of a bummer, but I have faith we will figure it out. Looks like Substratum is certainly an alternative/solution if need be. Thanks!

Thanks man :) Let me know what you think about it. I’ve only spent about six hours trying to understand the solution.. okay i've spent enough time grasping it. I think their approach just might work and get adopted fast enough.

I think it's ok with trying to become better

I don't think there is a big chance for the future not to have a censorship free
limitless and permission-less internet.
Since people are already on it there will be solutions soon.
re-steemed.

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

It's kind of funny to see how authority is operating as if it's completely unaware of how badly they are about to be blindsided. They keep making these gaffes lately trying to work through an old centralized model of rent seeking behavior setting themselves up to become middlemen for a soon to be obsolete system. The political theater is going to be epic when their one trick pony breaks.

Substratum looks similar to the blockstack.org- reading white paper now. Thanks for the find!

PS - wondering how much running a Substratum node will jack up my internet bandwidth (I run a metered connection).

Still waiting for the beta! Oh I don't think think it's similar to blockstack, quite different layers they're tackling. Blockstack's development is more matured though!

Great post. "the nature in which net neutrality is maintained ought to be shifting into the power of markets, instead of good old nation-state control." Solid quote right there and I agree. I've been following Net Neutrality recently and I also came across SUB as well. I have been watching it, looking for an entry point, however, if you buy and hold long term, I can only see this rising in value. People will naturally flock to a decentralized internet once they become aware. Blockchain technology is going to revolutionize the world. I believe that it truly has the potential to shift the power away from the elite and bring it back to the people. Big government can try to control it, but the people will prevail and will always be one step ahead. Thanks for the share.

Resteemed.

This is how I'm trying to look at the net neutrality issue also. I've believed all along that this will foster innovation. It seems substratum is a good example of this.
I'll be getting onboard.

I'm all for decentralizing the net. That is how it was supposed to be in the beginning.

This and other technologies is our chance to take the net back from the gatekeepers.

Great post.
Keep Steeming!

Thanks @wdougwatson. So far substratum seems to be a better answer compared to some of the other coins out there trying to decentralise the net as well. I think they’ve a sensible approach for quick and easy adoption :)

Me too. My hope however is 1000 solutions. Everything from local meshnets, to new kinds of darknet, to solutions like substratum.

I really didn't follow most of what you wrote about the need for Net Neutrality but thanks for providing some information on Substratum. I will check it out.

I guess it's just a matter of semantics, i think a concept like net neutrality is important for anyone to be able to reach anyone else as long as there's consent. The ISP shouldn't be able to have control over the connection.

Substratum has been on my radar recently as I heard it seems promising etc but I haven't known what they are about. Thanks for sharing this information and it seems like they have some really good timing for this project amidst the recent developments as you state.

I will have to look it up further - Thanks for sharing !

I'm for anything that keeps information free and accessible and out of government and corporate control. It's kind of ironic that we need protection from government interests. In essence I feel that the internet should fall under public domain as a utility, the same as electricity and water. It's needed to function and should be non profit. I have yet to hear a plausible argument for getting rid of neutrality. In the absence of neutrality we should do anything necessary to protect everyone's right to access information at cost, rather than at profit.

I think cryptos like substratum is a happy medium for public domain altruism and private profit..

yep never heard of it til now. putting it on my radar for investment

@kevinwong - It is unfortunate that the ISPs will get to control the access to certain content and charge premiums. Though that presents/ enhances entrepreneurial opportunities for ISPs, it regulates the Internet, which is not good as you point out. The aspect about indirect government control (because ISPs in many countries will be dependent on Government infrastructure) also bothers me. I think you are right - solutions like Substratum that promote masking type of internet usage will certainly pick up momentum in future. It is the next evolution of proxies I think. It will be a big step for net neutrality.

Thanks for this informative and intriguing article. Upvoted full.

Regards,

@vm2904

I've invested a little in substratum also. Looks like a solid and much needed project!

While net neutrality has been holding back free market solutions by the private sector, I personally think that net neutrality should stay, just like our unspoken rule about mail neutrality.

Same boat. And I also agree that as part of the solution to this some cryptosphere tech is and should be getting some interest.

Seems like perfect kind of money network, especially with their cryptopay plans

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

Yes, but whoever is running a node, needs to have a decent connection to offer to others, and not be restricted by whoever their service provider is. In the grand scheme of things, mesh networks are the solution to centralised internet service provision. It has been used successfully in Athens when the police attempted to control people through their internet access when they were self organising protests.

I also recently, via coming into contact with the Verge coin, became aware of the Invisible Internet Project (I2P), an anonymous network layer that allows for censorship resistant, peer to peer communication.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I2P

The idea is that everyone will be using Substratum while hosting at the same time, and their data packets are on the layer of http / tcp indistinguishable as some knowable Substratum packet..

I think I need to look into this further. Thanks for the starter Kevin!

You've answered for the most part my questions about this topic and I'm happy there already is a blockchain solution to the problem at hand. It seems like the old power structures are trying desperately to fight back

I just have recently been researching about this Token. great Article ! 2018 will be the year for Substratum !

substratum already is real deal . they have amazing team and different contests all the time going on . so progressive they are , next level stuff . Im there from ico time and i will hodl till i die :)

Too bad I missed the ico. The name is quite apt..

In these days its easy to miss . Cuz all day everyday new stuff shows up . Its hard to get every coin,its impossible .

Thanks for spreading the word about substratum. I hope it is as good as it looks. De-centralizing the web is what blockchain is for.

Isn't MaidSafe similar and competitive technology?
Why is substratum better?

MS needs special browsers and stuff, and not packed as neatly as what I think substratum will do. It's gonna be an elegant implementation..

Thanks for the info. You know how old men are, we hate change, so this net-neutrality vote made me mad. Glad to see others investigating new options.

Check it out then.. what do u think about their visuals and copy? pretty good eh?

@kevinwong Great post. This is definitely worth re esteeming :)
Best wishes to you always!!

steem all the way!

Interesting stuff. Thanks for sharing. Re-steemed

Thanks @handsolo!

It's a scary time. This is an issue more people need to become knowledgeable about as it will affect everyone and how they access and use the internet. Government control does nothing but stifle creativity and knowledge

Regardless of what one may think about the methods of government, it's a fact the public sector's been helping accelerate network effects by building the foundations of the net in which the private sector wouldn't be able to do so in record time considering the risks involved with high capital requirements. So yea, it's true that government control stifles network effects, but at the same time, they've built infrastructures for the people to leverage on. And it's not only government that's able to stifle creativity and knowledge, even corporations and the private sector is able to do so if they've vested interest to sway things their way. It's not all that clear cut @jasonchick..

The more they (TPTB) fight, the greater the challenge to smarter folks than they. The government controls are the single most important facilitators of the new age of the internet... we should salute them for the inspiration and incentives.

@kevinwong
The cryptos get more and more exciting everyday.super intelligent post, thank you for taking the time to create and share. love to read you post.but these kind of posts do make it easier, upvoted.

@kevinwong, As my country web accesses has blocking little bit entrance can be only limited persons. I appreciate that decision coz no need to entire internet below 16 years old child. Also net neutrality has been holding back free market solutions by the private sector but in fact, Our government take huge tax from those private sectors. Has been increase tax values for on internet services. But my opinion is less or cut down some cost of taxes coz Internet has contributed to globalization and information exchange completely.
I think Internet facilities need for exchange all things. It has been necessary thing to the human life.
Internet giving more opportunities us. But must be remember, Don't use worst way.

( hi5)

Using OUR crypto as a RESOURCE!

Keep STEEM N ON,
Frank

Resteem...

As long as we have to rely on the network connection we are at the mercy of those who control it. We need a free, uncontrolled market for ISPs which would create more competition and better faster network. The idea that only certain ISP can operate in any one area is not free market and that is the main issue.

I am all for free and open access to information.

price is booming

The internet needs to be decentralized recent events have shown just how important that is

i buy a lot!! very good altcoin!! good project!! x1000 is possible!!

Thanks man for your awesome post,,, yeah i think it could be happen in future...

great analysis of cryptocurrency,very good job,thanks for sharing

Excellent post. discussion about cyberbalkanization and substratum, the Internet's Best Solution to Net Neutrality. Thanks for sharing such a good post

Good job bro

great infotmation . it will help alot

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great information in this video.@kevinwong.good job.

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interesting information

Great post.
liked it

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Nice information

Nice information

thanks It is beautiful

Wow you got in at a quite perfect time. Substratum has gone up from 0.15 to 0.60+ as of today. Heard it from a friend as well. Have you tried hosting yet? Really would love to know in details how much tokens are being rewarded for doing so. It's really as cool as Steemit.

that's great...
thank's for sharing your news..

Substratum? Never heard of it but I'm glad you've brought it to my attention! Thank you friend as I'll be checkin' this one out as well. As for ISP's controlling access to information for profit well what else is new on this mud ball we live on. Everything is for the green bottom line right? Shame really. I suppose when the masses find a way off the rat wheel/owners monopoly board we'll see some real change for the better. We've got a long journey ahead but we're makin' head way in my eye's. The way I see it is Gooberment interests are owned by corporations and that is dangerous.................

Finally seeing something which is very important to be honestly after the net neutrality drama that should not happen of course but thanks a lot finally looks like this is the way