How to Build a Website...in 1997

Great read!  I had that HTML book back in the old days!

It's Time for Individual Carbon Credit Allowance

Carbon credits are a terrible idea. What right does any gov’t, organization or institution have to tell anyone how much “carbon” they can or cannot use? 

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Furthermore, this will (as usual) mostly benefit the wealthy and powerful who will be able to muscle their way into acquiring more “credits” than regular people. 

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First, get rid of all private jets, “require” the military to cut back their emissions by 50% and then we’ll see about “carbon credits”.

The Digital Identity Phantom Menace

Thank you for your comments!

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As I stated in the article, a digital ID could not possibly be decentralized because it will be subject to centralized authorites (government at all levels, as well as contract law from corporate/business interests).

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As for immutability, that is one of the basic features of blockchain, differentiating it from other types of databases. None of this will be free from regulation and the rule of law. These laws govern the use of personal information, whether it is on blockchain or not.

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In other words, decentralized digital identity is a myth or a phantom, used as hype rather than application in the real world of people and laws.

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I like your comment about the WEF ! 

Why Blockchain Technology Is the Most Feared Enemy of a Corrupt Government

Sorry, but I think you’ve got it the wrong way around…corrupt governments should not be trusted to implement blockchain. Those who make the laws should not be the ones to impose systems that can further entrench their own power. Blockchain will be used to enhance corruption via the rule of law -- for example, the gov’t enabling itself to have full access to all blockchain data for “national security”, etc.

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Furthermore, the US gov’t is close to implementing a Central Bank Digital Currency, actively “researching” blockchain right now:

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From <https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/files/money-and-payments-20220120.pdf>

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Is Money Really Programmable?

Thank you for your comment. I do want to point out that the US Federal Reserve IS researching the potential use of blockchain with a CBDC.

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 From <https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/files/money-and-payments-20220120.pdf> 

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“The Federal Reserve is engaged in a number of experiments related to digital currencies, including a hypothetical CBDC. These experiments enrich the Federal Reserve’s policy discussions related to digital currency by giving experimenters hands-on experience with the opportunities and limitations of various technologies. Examples of current experiments include…exploring a CBDC design that would leverage newer technologies, such as blockchain: The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston is collaborating with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Digital Currency Initiative to explore the development of alternative platforms…”(from page 38)

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Although I did not address it in the article, a CBDC would certainly be used to replace the current SWIFT system, and in my opinion, would inevitably utilize blockchain not only within that infrastructure, but also for the public at large.  Thanks again for reading and commenting! 

The Illusion of Decentralization

Good point --- and these words and memes help to further the illusion. Decentralization would be a great thing if it were more than just another word.

Ryan Wilson