Alexander Galloway is one of those brilliant thinkers who makes your brain explode with every idea he puts forward. He has earned a special place in academia for his unique take on technology and its impact on society.
His book Protocol: How Control Exists after Decentralization is a must for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of power and control in the digital age. Galloway launches a groundbreaking idea in this work: control is still present even in the most decentralized systems.
How? Through something he calls "protocol."
According to him, the protocol is not just a set of technical rules that govern how a network works. It goes beyond that. It is a control system that allows the network to function in a specific way. It's like the DNA of the network.
The power of the protocol
When you think of blockchain, what comes to mind? Are freedom, decentralization, and transparency right? That's what everyone has been selling us. But let me tell you a secret: it's more idyllic than it seems. According to Galloway, control is still a critical piece of the puzzle, even in decentralized systems.
For him, the protocol is not simply a set of technical rules. It goes further: the "code of laws" governs any network's operation, even a decentralized network like the blockchain. So while there may not be a boss with the final say, there is an authority of sorts.
Hidden authority
According to Galloway, the protocol is the hidden authority in the shadows. In the blockchain, for example, each node agrees to follow a predefined set of rules: the protocol. If you step outside these rules, wham, the system excludes you.
So, although no central entity is making decisions, the protocol is in control. It is the silent big brother, the one that keeps everyone in line and gives and takes away permissions. And therein lies the paradox: despite decentralization, there is a control that, unlike a central authority, cannot be corrupted or persuaded.
But let us not misunderstand Galloway. He is not saying that decentralization is terrible. On the contrary, he points out that inherent control through the protocol is necessary to maintain order and security in the network.
With its decentralized structure, the blockchain promises to resist censorship and protect privacy. But it can only do this with clear and consistent rules.
How necessary is control?
As we move toward an increasingly digital society, the rules governing our interaction with technology become increasingly important. Whether it's blockchain, Web3, or any other disruptive innovation, the protocol will always be the backbone, and understanding it will be vital to navigating this new world.
While decentralization brings new forms of freedom, it does not free us from control. It changes how control is exercised, yet by following these pre-established rules, we gain a new form of freedom that protects us as users and creators.