diff --git a/content/u/blog/the-importance-of-decentralisation/contents.lr b/content/u/blog/the-importance-of-decentralisation/contents.lr new file mode 100644 index 0000000..12a7c53 --- /dev/null +++ b/content/u/blog/the-importance-of-decentralisation/contents.lr @@ -0,0 +1,136 @@ +title: The importance of decentralisation +--- +pub_date: 2019-11-14 +--- +author: ungleich +--- +twitter_handle: ungleich +--- +abstract: +Or: why the Internet still functions +--- +body: + +Did you ever wonder, why the Internet is as robust as it is? +Then this article is for you. + +## The Internet Architecture + +The Internet basically consists of a lose collaboration of network +service operators. Each operator, whether an individual or a large +scale enterprise, can announce their own networks and run services in +their own networks. + +The dependency on other providers is relatively low, the only thing +you need to operate in the Internet is one or more upstream +providers. If you happen to have many of them, we call this +**peering** and it allows you to get good deals for data exchange. + +## Decentralisation is an enabler + +Because each operator can decide what to run in their network, whether +it's providing access to websites, providing a mail infrastructure, +providing a webshop or other services. What you do, what you sell is +up to you. + +So far so good, isn't it? + +## The threat of centralisation + +In the real world, we see that some services have become strictly +centralised. Services like ebay, amazon, google or facebook are very +convenient, because they allow access to a lot of resources, but are +also very dangerous at the same time. + +### Problem one: Seller dependency + +Imagine you are selling pink socks. Because pink socks are +the coolest and they make people feel more warm in winter. +Imagine further you exclusively sell your products solely through +one of these platforms. Then the provider bans you from their website, +because pink is considered to be incorrect, socks always have to be +black. This will ruin your business model completely, because you +don't have an alternative. + +While the example of pink socks is fictional, there are +[many such real world cases](https://duckduckgo.com/?q=bannled+from+selling+on+amazon). + +### Problem two: Buyer dependency + +On the other hand as a consumer, if you usually go to one site. Now +if you are banned from that site, you cannot approach the seller, even +if the seller wanted to sell to you. + +### Problem three: Censorship + +A generic problem with centralised platforms is censorship. This is a +very important one, as it applies to providers in +[a lot +nations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_censorship_and_surveillance_by_country). +We have seen censorship on a variety of platforms including a variety +of reasons including political motivated censorship. Centralised +platforms are especially prone for censorship with huge effects. + +### Problem four: Lack of choices + +Once a centralised platform has been established, the lack of choice +forces sellers, buyers and consumers into a strong dependency (related +to this is [strong vendor +lock-ins](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vendor_lock-in). If the +platform raises prices or decides to reduce privacy features, users +don't have a choice, but to accept, if there are no alternatives. + +## Some many problems - what is the solution? + +Like we say in Switzerland, we like to **buy locally**, supporting +small shops and small companies. But how do you realistically do this in +the Internet? We see one easy to use way that is not on everyone's +radar: **switching to IPv6**. Let us show you how to establish your +own presence in 3 small steps. + +### 1. Acknowledge that you are a network operator + +First of all, anyone can be a network operator. This is how the +Internet was built and it is still true. You can start by +[getting your own IPv6 +space](https://ungleich.ch/en-us/cms/blog/2019/02/05/how-to-get-ipv6/). + +This is really easy and in case you are using the +[IPv6VPN.ch](https://IPv6VPN.ch) only requires installing +[wireguard](https://www.wireguard.com/) and a configuration. + +### 2. Setup your own presence + +When you have your own IPv6 range, you can run anything in it. From a +website, to mail servers, ... anything any other operator can do. + +If you don't know how to do that, you can ask for help on the +[IPv6.Chat](https://IPv6.chat), where you find many people who are +using IPv6 on a daily basis. + +You can even setup your [own social +network](https://mastodon.social/about) on your infrastructure! + +### 3. Talk about it + +Many people are not aware that with IPv6 the game really changes and +that everyone is back in the game. So when you start your journey, we +ask you to talk about it and enable other people. + +### 4. (optional) Get an IPv4 Proxy + +If you want to be reachable from the IPv4 world, you can also use an +IPv4-to-IPv6 proxy, which you find the the [IPv6 +Shop](https://ipv6onlyhosting.com/en-us/cms/ipv6-shop/). + +## Summary and Outlook + +Centralisation is a danger to everyone. It concentrates decision power +and effectively can censor opinions and in the worst case even ruin +businesses. With IPv6 you can back in control. Even better, you can +be part of driving decentralisation. + +Soon upcoming is the [Black IPv6 +Friday](https://swiss-crowdfunder.com/campaigns/black-ipv6-friday?locale=en), +where you can get direct IPv6 experience. Or you can exchange your +ideas for decentralisation on the [IPv6.Chat](https://IPv6.chat).