Networks vs. Hierarchies

If you're interested in the technical plausibility of anarchism in the context of a high-tech networked society, I suggest reading this great bit of research by mutualist Kevin Carson, who also blogs for C4SS. Chapter 2 is really eye opening.

In a nutshell, Carson argues that networks have properties (such as a quick information feedback loop) that make them highly-efficient, anti-fragile and superior modes of experimentation and response, learning from problems and obstructions in a way that makes them inherently stronger. Hierarchies, in contrast, with large corporations and governments as prime examples, are inherently fragile due to the conflict-of-interest necessary to hold them together. This fragility and slow-response time makes complex hierarchies adapt poorly to rapidly changing circumstances and obstructs clear feedback channels that would make them more efficient. Given the rapid growth in networked and crowd-sourced information available on the web, governments will seemingly always be playing catch-up, and may be increasingly overwhelmed by what historian Samuel Huntington called an "excess" of democracy.

Networked "governance" may in fact be the future of human organization. Certainly technolibertarians are working hard to build alternative institutions and uncensorable channels, while of course the U.S. along with the world's finest authoritarian regimes keeps a finger on internet chokepoints and even a nationwide "kill switch" is on the table in the U.S., though it hasn't worked well in Middle Eastern countries such as Egypt. Given the inherent adaptability and resilience of networked organizations, this problem for the government may intensify.

I can't say I know what the future of humanity will look like, except that I have a hard time picturing humans in a few hundred years colonizing the outer reaches of space and engaging in economic transactions using currencies issued by central banks millions of light years away. Or, for that matter, obeying laws and regulation issued by far away bureaucrats. New models will assuredly replace what we're familiar with now... the big question is... is the Bitcoin revolution a glimpse of the future?

Want to get involved? Interesting OpenNet projects worth following

This list will get updated periodically. These are a few organizations dedicated to building a resilient, open and totally uncensorable internet. Some of them are meshnet projects, while others are providing tools to dissidents in particularly repressive countries. All are worth a look if you are doing research or want to get involved.

Telecomix: A European hacktivist group that helps dissidents route information around blockages placed on the web by oppressive regimes, particularly in the Middle East.

The Chokepoint Project: An open web project that states its mission as "To identify chokepoints, understand the issues behind who owns what and has the power to turn off connections or control aspects of internet control like domain names."

The Freenet Project: Freenet is prototype meshnet that includes free software which lets you anonymously share files, browse and publish "freesites" (web sites accessible only through Freenet) and chat on forums, without fear of censorship. Freenet is decentralised to make it less vulnerable to attack, and if used in "darknet" mode, where users only connect to their friends, is very difficult to detect.

The Free Network Foundation:  An Iowa-based 501(c)(3) meshnet project.

Commotion Wireless: An open-source tool for democratic activists that uses meshnet like features and turns devices into routers to create a P2P network.

Electronic Disturbance Theater: An activist group that made headlines when they developed a device called the Transborder Immigrant Tool (essentially a cracked Nokia phone with a GPS) enables immigrants from Mexico to navigate through the desert and even find water left by activists.

FreedomBox Foundation:  Developing proxies and hardware for activists to facilitate a free and uncensorable web.

Hyberboria: The new virtual P2P meshnet currently existing within the regular internet has entirely encrypted communication between participating nodes and does not rely on a central server or ISP. This is the larger global "mesh" network that could be the future of the internet.

Project Meshnet:  Meshnet page that provides CJDN routing software download. 

Project Byzantium:  Project is creating an ultra lightweight Porteus Linux-based program that can fit on a flash drive to create an easy-to-use meshnet resource.

People's Open Network: Oakland, CA based meshnet.

Local mesh in Maryland: http://maryland.projectmeshnet.org/

Seattle meshnet project: https://www.seattlemesh.net/ 

Meshnet wiki: https://wiki.projectmeshnet.org/Main_Page

Relevant Reddit subforums:

/r/hyperboria
/r/darknetplan
/r/Meshnet/
/r/DenverMeshnet 
/r/ChicagoMeshnet
/r/nycmeshnet
/r/AustinMeshNet
/r/SeattleMeshnet
/r/evolutionReddit