Data and security breaches are becoming increasingly common, highlighting the vulnerabilities of existing messaging and communications platforms. Devising computational tools and systems that better protect sensitive data against malicious attacks is therefore of utmost importance.

Researchers from several institutes worldwide recently developed Quarks, a new, decentralized messaging network based on blockchain technology. Their proposed system could overcome the limitations of most commonly used messaging platforms, allowing users to retain control over their personal data and other information they share online.

  • upstream@beehaw.org
    1·
    1 year ago

    You’re pointing out plenty of good problems that wasting CPU cycles and lack of authority doesn’t solve.

    Maybe if we actually looked harder for a solution instead of throwing one that doesn’t work on the problem and hyping it up to be everything that it will never be - we could actually get somewhere.

    I mean it all sounds fine when people spin it, but take a step back and look at the problems inherit to the “solution”.

    Just based on your phrasing and tone I’ll probably never convince you, but don’t trust me. There’s plenty of people out there who’s described the problem way better than I ever will.

    And there are solutions to the problems you point out, they just don’t involve useless computing and executing arbitrary code.

    But if you really want to get into fixing these problems you need to get involved with policy (ie. politics).

    We need to fix politicians being elected thanks to corporate capital, both direct and indirect.

    We need to fix tax regulation globally. We need to stop the race to the bottom where companies incorporate where they can funnel money back to the mothership without paying tax.

    We need to fix education, so people get a clue and don’t elect corporate puppets or flat out fascists.

    We need to fix healthcare.

    We need to fix environmental policy, and thanks to the environmental policies for the last 200 years, the environment as well.

    Heck, we even need to fix the Internet.

    And all the idealism in the world - the idealist blockchain crowd becomes useful idiots because they’re busy with something that won’t work out (instead of pushing the world in a better direction).

    I do however highly recommend a few talks with Larry Lessig:

    https://youtu.be/mw2z9lV3W1g

    https://youtu.be/PJy8vTu66tE

    And on DMCA (you may want to start with this):

    https://youtu.be/7Q25-S7jzgs?si=RJniq02TSd7vTOPw