Elevating the Need to Fix the Internet: A Strategic Opportunity with the Changing of the Guard

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The Metaweb - The Next Level of the Internet was published by Taylor & Francis in late November, 2023.

---- On Mon, 28 Oct 2024 17:05:33 -0700 David Bray, PhD <david....@gmail.com> wrote ---

All for what you propose Daveed - one question though, do you have folks trying to figure out how all these well-intended principles could be used against free societies and/or weaponized?

Because we may be realizing that there's "balance to all things" and rarely in this universe is any one thing an absolute?

On Mon, Oct 28, 2024 at 7:18 PM Daveed <dav...@bridgit.io> wrote:

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Daveed

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Oct 29, 2024, 11:09:15 PM10/29/24

to David Troy, PCI-Community-Calls, meta-layer

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your thoughtful response and the reading list. I appreciate the perspective you bring regarding Bitcoin’s socio-political implications. However, I wanted to clarify that my suggestion involves leveraging Bitcoin’s new information layer—something that may not be addressed in the sources you referenced.

As of January 2023, Bitcoin introduced Ordinal Theory, which enables data—beyond financial transactions—to be stored as digital artifacts on the blockchain. This makes the data uncensorable, immutable, and accessible for the foreseeable future.

Just to be clear, I wasn’t proposing that Bitcoin be mentioned in the open letter itself. My suggestion to post the letter on Bitcoin’s blockchain is about preserving the message for posterity, not promoting Bitcoin ideologically as a currency. Given the cost of storage on Bitcoin, it's best suited for small amounts of data, such as identifiers and critical text fragments—which makes it ideal for something like an open letter.

We’d also post the letter on Medium (or a dedicated webpage), LinkedIn, and promote it across social media channels. Using Bitcoin Ordinals, however, as a permanent backup creates a permanent record that can’t be removed or altered. Additionally, with cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies becoming policy discussions, posting to Bitcoin could attract the attention of the next president’s cryptocurrency advisory council—an audience whose alignment could be strategically valuable.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we might ensure the letter reaches the right people, while also staying true to the values of a people-centered internet.

Warmly,

Daveed

Daveed Benjamin
Founder

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The Metaweb - The Next Level of the Internet was published by Taylor & Francis in late November, 2023.

---- On Tue, 29 Oct 2024 14:18:01 -0700 David Troy <dave...@gmail.com> wrote ---

Bringing Bitcoin into such a declaration creates many problems, and will limit reach of your effort. I recommend the following reading list:

https://www.upress.umn.edu/9781517901806/the-politics-of-bitcoin/

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4985877

https://washingtonspectator.org/paranoia-on-parade/

https://washingtonspectator.org/peter-thiel-and-the-american-apocalypse/

The principles you outline are obviously well intentioned, but principled people can disagree on the degree to which “decentralization” is an unalloyed good, which indeed is a key strength of the design of the internet. More people need to become familiar with the degree to which Bitcoin (and similar designs) incorporate and mandate zero-sum games that are harmful to society, and antagonistic to any sort of “people centered internet.”

Best,
Dave

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pci-community-calls/192d9cc6574.b341cb9c1267959.6323050919134684244%40bridgit.io.

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Daveed

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Oct 30, 2024, 11:42:37 AM10/30/24

to cmason, PCI-Community-Calls, meta-layer

Hi Cindy,

Thank you for sharing your diagram—it really clicked for me. As I looked at it, I realized how closely your software agent concept aligns with Overweb’s vision as introduced in the book, The Metaweb: the Next Level of the Internet. The way your agent acts as a smart intermediary mirrors Overweb’s smart filter, ensuring that users see and interact only with information they choose—without reliance on centralized platforms or algorithms.

Your agent also embodies key ideas from Overweb, including:

VPN-like privacy protection through an intermediary that secures data interactions.
Multiple personas for different contexts, letting users adopt distinct identities (personal, professional, or psuedo-anonymous).
Data sovereignty, with the agent acting as a gatekeeper, ensuring the user controls what data apps can access.
AI-powered personalization, where the agent learns from user preferences to adapt without compromising autonomy.

Both your model and Overweb emphasize decentralized control, anti-surveillance, and resistance to misinformation, enabling users to filter content dynamically and retain autonomy in all interactions. It’s a perfect conceptual fit.

I’d love to explore how we can integrate your software agent idea further into our conversations around the Meta-Layer initiative, the Overweb, and decentralized ecosystems. Would you be open to collaborating on this once you finish the report you are working on? I think there’s an incredible synergy here that could really drive home the importance of user sovereignty and decentralized trust mechanisms.

Looking forward to your thoughts!

Daveed Benjamin
Founder

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The Metaweb - The Next Level of the Internet was published by Taylor & Francis in late November, 2023.

---- On Tue, 29 Oct 2024 21:40:43 -0700 Cindy Mason <cma...@cmason.us> wrote ---

Attached is an image depicting the notion of a customizable software
agent that acts on your behalf, as a guardrail. In the image,
application can be a browser, phone app, etc.

On 2024-10-29 12:42, Daveed wrote:
> Thanks for raising that important question, David. You’re
> absolutely right—principles can be weaponized, and ensuring that
> doesn’t happen is crucial.
>
> What sets a meta-layer apart is that we have the opportunity to design
> the system intentionally—striking the right balance between privacy,
> safety, agency, and accountability. Unlike the open internet, where
> we’re often reacting to issues, a meta-layer allows us to establish
> the rules proactively from the outset.
>
> This approach helps us avoid the extremes—no one principle becomes
> absolute—while remaining adaptive to new risks. A couple of weeks
> ago, Paul Werbos shared some exciting ideas in this group on how we
> might embed intelligence in a meta-layer for adaptive governance.
> Would love to hear your thoughts on how we can refine these frameworks
> further to stay ahead of potential misuse.
>
> Daveed Benjamin
> Founder

> Bridgit.io [3]
>
> dav...@bridgit.io [4]
>
> dav...@nos.social [4]

>
> +1 (510) 326-2803 (Whatsapp)
>
> +1 (510) 373-3244 (Voicemail)
>

> Book meeting [5]
>
> _The Metaweb - The Next Level of the Internet [6]_ was published by

> Taylor & Francis in late November, 2023.
>

> ---- On Mon, 28 Oct 2024 17:05:33 -0700 DAVID BRAY, PHD
> <DAVID....@GMAIL.COM> wrote ---

>
>> All for what you propose Daveed - one question though, do you have
>> folks trying to figure out how all these well-intended principles
>> could be used against free societies and/or weaponized?
>>
>> Because we may be realizing that there's "balance to all things" and
>> rarely in this universe is any one thing an absolute?
>>
>> On Mon, Oct 28, 2024 at 7:18 PM Daveed <dav...@bridgit.io> wrote:
>>
>> --
>> You are receiving this email because you signed up to be a member of
>> the People-Centered Internet Community. Activity on the list should
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>> noted. If you would like to share or quote list activity, please
>> request permission from relevant participants first.
>>
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>> please share this "request invitation" form:
>> https://forms.gle/q9fpXG1wWokyUo1u9
>>
>> The PCI Community holds regular calls to share information and
>> projects. To suggest a speaker or project for an upcoming call,
>> please submit through this form: https://forms.gle/p1bCAzB3e7syf1vx8
>> ---
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>> send an email to pci-community-cal...@googlegroups.com.

>> To view this discussion visit
>>
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pci-community-calls/CA%2BaeVP9Jn%2B8zjAKcqjJO%3D2f%2BThVAwkFVFSxCcFq6wofo-Z370g%40mail.gmail.com

>> [2].

>>
>>> Esteemed colleagues,
>>>
>>> With the upcoming change in leadership, regardless of who wins the
>>> presidency, we have a unique opportunity to elevate the urgent
>>> need to fix the internet. As the internet plays an increasingly
>>> central role in shaping public discourse and AI is coming of age,

>>> it becomes critical to address systemic issues like INFORMATION
>>> CENTRALIZATION, CENSORSHIP, AND PRIVACY EROSION—issues that

>>> threaten both democracy and personal freedoms.
>>>

>>> One of the MOST POTENT LEVERS for this effort is FREE SPEECH,

>>> protected under the First Amendment. Ensuring freedom of
>>> expression in the digital age requires rethinking our information

>>> infrastructure to foster DECENTRALIZED, OPEN NETWORKS where

>>> individuals can speak, engage, and innovate without fear of

>>> censorship or monopolistic control. But FREE SPEECH IS JUST ONE
>>> PART OF THE EQUATION. Below are key constitutional and strategic

>>> levers to consider as part of this campaign:
>>>

>>> *
>>>
>>> FREE SPEECH (FIRST AMENDMENT):
>>>
>>> * Decentralizing information safeguards against CENSORSHIP BY
>>> PLATFORM MONOPOLIES and ensures that public discourse remains
>>> vibrant and diverse.
>>>
>>> * Prevents the BOTTLENECKING OF INFORMATION FLOW, where only a

>>> few actors control the narrative.
>>>

>>> *
>>>
>>> RIGHT TO PRIVACY (FOURTH AMENDMENT):
>>>
>>> * Current data practices violate the spirit of privacy

>>> protections by allowing unchecked surveillance by platforms and
>>> governments.
>>>

>>> * Decentralized technologies return DATA SOVEREIGNTY TO
>>> INDIVIDUALS, allowing them to control their digital footprint.
>>>
>>> *
>>>
>>> DUE PROCESS AND TRANSPARENCY (FIFTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS):
>>>
>>> * Online decisions about content moderation, account suspensions,

>>> and data access lack transparency or consistent recourse.
>>>

>>> * A decentralized internet model can build in TRANSPARENT,
>>> COMMUNITY-BASED GOVERNANCE.
>>>
>>> *
>>>
>>> FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION (FIRST AMENDMENT):
>>>
>>> * Individuals must be free to form communities and networks

>>> across the web without being constrained by platform-specific
>>> silos.
>>>

>>> * Decentralization allows META-COMMUNITIES to emerge organically

>>> across multiple platforms, facilitating democratic organization
>>> and participation.
>>>
>>> That being said here are some key points for the letter:
>>>

>>> *
>>>
>>> COMBATING MISINFORMATION AND BUILDING TRUST: A decentralized

>>> internet reduces the risks of manipulation by a few actors,

>>> promoting INFORMATION INTEGRITY through transparency, redundancy,
>>> and open protocols.
>>>
>>> *
>>>
>>> DATA SOVEREIGNTY AND DIGITAL RIGHTS: Decentralizing data ensures

>>> that individuals and communities, not corporations, control their

>>> personal information, promoting PRIVACY, TRUST, AND AUTONOMY.
>>>
>>> *
>>>
>>> ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND RESILIENCE: Decentralization fosters
>>> COMPETITIVE INNOVATION by preventing monopolies and lowering the

>>> barriers to entry for new digital enterprises. This model aligns

>>> with efforts to create RESILIENT DIGITAL ECONOMIES that are
>>> community-driven and sustainable.
>>>
>>> *
>>>
>>> CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND A NEW DIGITAL DEMOCRACY: An open,
>>> decentralized web encourages ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP and fosters
>>> environments where NEW FORMS OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT can thrive. A
>>> decentralized system ensures that EVERYONE HAS EQUAL ACCESS to

>>> participate in the digital commons, free from gatekeeping.
>>>

>>> *
>>>
>>> AI AND DIGITAL ETHICS: As AI continues to evolve, DECENTRALIZED
>>> SYSTEMS ALLOW COMMUNITIES TO OVERSEE AND GOVERN AI USAGE

>>> transparently, reducing the risks of bias and manipulation.
>>>

>>> A TIMELY AND HISTORIC MOMENT

>>>
>>> As we move toward a new presidency, this open letter to the
>>> incoming administration could lay the foundation for

>>> TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE. Beyond technical and policy interventions,
>>> it must emphasize the IMPORTANCE OF INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS, PUBLIC
>>> TRUST, AND SOCIAL RESILIENCE in shaping a future-proof information
>>> ecosystem.
>>>
>>> This is an opportunity to LEAD A NATIONAL AND GLOBAL MOVEMENT
>>> TOWARD DIGITAL DECENTRALIZATION, ensuring that the internet

>>> evolves into a tool for empowerment, not control. With support
>>> from the right stakeholders—including government, civil society,
>>> and technical communities—we can push for reforms that will

>>> protect democratic values and ensure OPEN, TRUSTED INFORMATION
>>> SPACES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

>>>
>>> We look forward to your thoughts on framing these ideas into a

>>> powerful message to the next president, making DECENTRALIZATION
>>> not just a technical necessity, but a MORAL IMPERATIVE for the

>>> send an email to pci-community-cal...@googlegroups.com.

>>> To view this discussion visit
>>>
>>

> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pci-community-calls/192d56c337b.10570c603881512.5717643753164601578%40bridgit.io
>>> [1].

>
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> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pci-community-calls/192d9cc6574.b341cb9c1267959.6323050919134684244%40bridgit.io
> [7].
>
>
> Links:
> ------
> [1]
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pci-community-calls/192d56c337b.10570c603881512.5717643753164601578%40bridgit.io?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer
> [2]
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pci-community-calls/CA%2BaeVP9Jn%2B8zjAKcqjJO%3D2f%2BThVAwkFVFSxCcFq6wofo-Z370g%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer
> [3] http://bridgit.io/
> [4] http://null
> [5] https://daveed-bridgit.zohobookings.com/#/customer/shiftshapr
> [6] https://bridgit.io/metaweb-book
> [7]
> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pci-community-calls/192d9cc6574.b341cb9c1267959.6323050919134684244%40bridgit.io?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer

--
Author, Artificial Intelligence and the Environment 2019
E-ISBN 978-1-7335248-1-0 (sold in 31 countries)
AAAI Award for Outstanding Contribution 2022
IUI 2022 Program Committee
IEEE WG 7004
AAAI 2022 Workshop Chair, Diversity and Inclusion Tract
U.C. Berkeley EECS Dept (96-01;13-21)
Stanford CS Dept (95; 01-12)
Stanford Medical Alum '95

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Daveed

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Oct 30, 2024, 1:06:16 PM10/30/24

to Vandana Upadhyay, meta-layer, PCI-Community-Calls

Hi Vandana,

Thank you for sharing these thought-provoking insights. Your reflection on the design tradeoffs of the early internet really resonates—especially the idea that performance was prioritized over security. As you said, the assumptions made during those resource-constrained times no longer apply in today’s landscape, where the internet connects billions of people, devices, and objects. This is exactly why rethinking these assumptions and integrating security and privacy at the core of our systems—as you suggest—is incredibly timely and will be essential to building the next phase of the web.

You bring up some important themes around identity, privacy, and the tension between anonymity and authentication that are highly relevant to the meta layer concept. Below are some thoughts on how your insights align with what we’ve discussed—and where they might help shape our next steps.

1. Revisiting Internet Design Tradeoffs Through the Meta-Layer Lens

The internet’s foundational tradeoff between performance and security has had far-reaching consequences, particularly in IoT and personal data ecosystems. As you noted, early decisions assumed limited scope and localized networks, but today’s world has made those assumptions obsolete. The meta layer vision we’re working on offers a chance to build a meta-environment with security and privacy as integral elements, rather than afterthoughts.

The meta-layer's approach to privacy and decentralized control fits perfectly with your point: security and privacy can no longer be seen as optional costs, but as foundational pillars. This also ties into Cindy’s agent concept, which would give users the tools to manage data sovereignty and multiple identities dynamically, according to context.

2. Decentralized Identities: Balancing Authentication and Anonymity

I found your example about SIM authentication compelling—it highlights the delicate balance between authenticating users for security purposes without overexposing personal identities. This mirrors the multiple personas approach in Overweb, where users can choose between anonymous, pseudonymous, or authenticated interactions depending on the situation. There doesn’t need to be one identity for everything; different contexts can warrant different identities.

The meta-layer can integrate verifiable identities through decentralized identity (DID) protocols, allowing trust without compromising anonymity. This would let people and devices authenticate when necessary while still maintaining privacy where appropriate—exactly like your SIM example. With decentralized information ecosystems, the user remains in control of when, how, and to what extent their identities are used.

3. The Perceived Value of Security: A Barrier to Adoption

Your point about security being seen as a cost, not a competitive differentiator, is crucial. It’s something we’ve encountered in the conversation around decentralized platforms as well. Until companies and individuals see the value of security and privacy, adoption will be slow.

This is where decentralization can offer a new economic model—one where users, not centralized entities, own their data and control their interactions. With decentralized information architectures, users can monetize their data on their own terms, and companies that respect privacy can gain trust as a competitive advantage. There could also be incentives for adopting privacy-first principles rather than relying solely on regulations.

4. Incorporating Security into the Meta Layer and IoT

Your mention of IoT security reminds us that these issues aren’t limited to personal privacy—every connected device in our lives becomes a node in the larger ecosystem, and every weak link becomes a risk. Authentication of IoT devices will need to follow the same principles as user identity: decentralized, contextual, and privacy-preserving.

Cindy’s software agent concept could extend to IoT—acting as an intermediary between the user and their devices, controlling what data flows between them, and ensuring that devices only interact with trusted networks. This distributed security model ensures that no single point of failure compromises the entire system.

5. Building Security-First, Privacy-First Ecosystems

You are absolutely right that security and privacy provisions need to become inherent elements in the meta layer, just as much as performance or usability. It will take both visionary leadership and collaborative innovation—as we saw with DARPA’s Clean Slate initiative and CUSTARD program—to design a system that balances privacy, trust, and accessibility.

With the meta-layer vision, we aim to rewrite the assumptions of the past, creating information ecosystems that enable trust through transparency and decentralization. Your insights help reinforce that privacy, identity, and security must be non-negotiable elements in this design.

Next Steps: Incorporating Your Ideas in Our Open Letter and Discussions

I’d love to continue exploring how we can integrate these ideas into our open letter to the next president. Your points about identity, authentication, and privacy-conscious design are exactly the kinds of principles we want to advocate for—a decentralized web that protects individual sovereignty while supporting trusted interactions.

Would you be open to collaborating further on this section of the letter or offering feedback as we draft the final version?

Thank you again for your valuable insights—your perspective as a startup founder working on these real-world challenges brings practical grounding to these visionary discussions. I look forward to continuing the conversation!

Daveed Benjamin
Founder

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