Who Owns the Future?

1. The rise of Siren Servers is reshaping the digital economy

A Siren Server, as I will refer to such a thing, is an elite computer, or coordinated collection of computers, on a network. It is characterized by narcissism, hyperamplified risk aversion, and extreme information asymmetry.

Siren Servers dominate. These powerful network nodes, exemplified by companies like Google, Facebook, and high-frequency trading firms, gather and analyze vast amounts of data to manipulate the world to their advantage. They create a winner-take-all dynamic, concentrating wealth and power while often providing "free" services to users.

Economic implications are profound. Siren Servers tend to:

• Centralize wealth and power
• Reduce job prospects for many
• Create information asymmetry
• Radiate risk to users while reaping benefits

This model is reshaping entire industries, from music and media to finance and manufacturing, often leading to economic contraction rather than growth.

2. Information is not free; it's people in disguise

Digital information is really just people in disguise.

Rethinking "free" information. The current paradigm of free online services and content is unsustainable. It devalues human contributions and concentrates wealth in the hands of a few Siren Servers.

Recognizing human value. Every bit of data, every interaction online, is ultimately derived from human activity. By failing to compensate individuals for their contributions, we're creating an economy that undervalues its most essential resource: people.

Implications for the future. As more of our economy becomes information-based, treating information as free will lead to:

• Fewer jobs
• Reduced economic opportunities
• Increased wealth disparity
• A shrinking overall economy

3. The current digital economy is unsustainable and threatens the middle class

To my friends in the "open" Internet movement, I have to ask: What did you think would happen? We in Silicon Valley undermined copyright to make commerce become more about services instead of content: more about our code instead of their files.

Unintended consequences. The push for "free" and "open" information has led to:

• Destruction of middle-class jobs in creative industries
• Concentration of wealth in tech companies
• Reduced economic opportunities for content creators

Threat to the middle class. As more industries become software-mediated, this pattern could spread, potentially eliminating middle-class jobs in sectors like manufacturing, transportation, and healthcare.

Need for a new model. To sustain a healthy economy and democracy, we need a digital economy that:

• Values individual contributions
• Distributes wealth more equitably
• Creates new opportunities for middle-class prosperity

4. Two-way linking could revolutionize online interactions and commerce

If two-way links had existed, you'd immediately be able to see who was linking to your website or online creations. It wouldn't be a mystery. You'd meet people who shared your interests as a matter of course. A business would naturally become acquainted with potential customers.

Reimagining the web. Two-way links, originally proposed by Ted Nelson, could transform online interactions by:

• Providing context and provenance for information
• Enabling direct connections between content creators and consumers
• Facilitating more equitable economic relationships

Economic implications. Two-way linking could:

• Enable micropayments for content and data use
• Reduce the need for intermediaries like search engines
• Create new economic opportunities for individuals and small businesses

Technical challenges. Implementing two-way linking would require significant changes to current web infrastructure, but could lead to a more transparent and equitable digital ecosystem.

5. A humanistic information economy values individual contributions

In a world of digital dignity, each individual will be the commercial owner of any data that can be measured from that person's state or behavior.

Redefining value. A humanistic information economy recognizes that:

• Every interaction, every piece of data, has potential value
• Individuals should be compensated for their contributions to the digital ecosystem
• Economic dignity comes from owning and profiting from one's own data

Practical implementation. This could involve:

• Micropayments for data use
• Royalties for content reuse
• New economic models that distribute value more equitably

Societal benefits. A humanistic information economy could:

• Create new economic opportunities
• Reduce wealth inequality
• Foster innovation and creativity by properly incentivizing contributions

6. Economic avatars and micropayments could redefine online transactions

Through clever programming, buyer and seller can think in the terms of different transactions and still do business with each other. Just as the cloud can translate between English and Chinese, it can translate between market participants who prefer different kinds of deals.

Flexible transactions. Economic avatars could allow individuals to:

• Choose different transaction styles (e.g., pay-as-you-go, subscription, try-before-you-buy)
• Participate in the economy on their own terms
• Gradually transition to full economic participation

Micropayments enable new models. A system of micropayments could:

• Compensate individuals for their data and content contributions
• Create new revenue streams for creators and innovators
• Enable more granular and fair economic exchanges

Technical challenges. Implementing such a system would require:

• New payment infrastructure
• Advanced data tracking and valuation mechanisms
• User-friendly interfaces for managing economic avatars

7. Balancing privacy, security, and commercial rights in the digital age

The strategic goal has to be to change the game theory landscape so that the motivations for creepiness are reduced. That is the very essence of the game of civilization.

Reframing digital rights. Instead of focusing solely on privacy and security, we should consider:

• Commercial rights to personal data
• Economic incentives for respecting privacy
• Balancing transparency and individual control

Reducing creepiness. By making it costly to access and use personal data, we can:

• Discourage unnecessary surveillance and data collection
• Incentivize value creation beyond mere data aggregation
• Create more balanced power dynamics between individuals and Siren Servers

A new social contract. Balancing rights and responsibilities in the digital age requires:

• Recognizing the economic value of personal data
• Creating mechanisms for individuals to control and profit from their data
• Developing new regulatory frameworks that address the realities of the digital economy

Last updated: January 24, 2025