DNS converts something memorable to something arbitrary, but unfortunately it can be hijacked and all historical records can be removed, potentially burying the truth. What is needed is a global database that is mirrored automatically and cannot be overridden without an overwhelming consensus (ideally not at all, but a democratic barrier would be better than none), and even then the prior record should not be expunged, only overridden as in an append-only file.
Namecoin, for example, achieves this by leveraging Bitcoin's historical journal (in a separate blockchain):
https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Namecoin
Namecoin and the system Assange is suggesting is unnecessary and highly complex, if it could be achieved and adopted to any meaningful level at all.
The obvious hammer for this nail is just a radically transparent information system with accountability for public information an individual contributes to the public record.
Search algorithms are, largely, a commodity code now. Before you argue otherwise, the complexity and proprietary nature only arises when you try to show preference to less desirable content before other content information consumers desire. Ie - advertising
Even with advertising in the mix, it is trivial for a search company to append a query score with its query results. With a transparent query score and a transparent algorithm, the community has a trustworthy third-party between the content producer and consumer.
Transparency and that includes the information source!!!
Comments
DNS converts something memorable to something arbitrary, but unfortunately it can be hijacked and all historical records can be removed, potentially burying the truth. What is needed is a global database that is mirrored automatically and cannot be overridden without an overwhelming consensus (ideally not at all, but a democratic barrier would be better than none), and even then the prior record should not be expunged, only overridden as in an append-only file.
Namecoin, for example, achieves this by leveraging Bitcoin's historical journal (in a separate blockchain): https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Namecoin
Namecoin and the system Assange is suggesting is unnecessary and highly complex, if it could be achieved and adopted to any meaningful level at all.
The obvious hammer for this nail is just a radically transparent information system with accountability for public information an individual contributes to the public record.
Search algorithms are, largely, a commodity code now. Before you argue otherwise, the complexity and proprietary nature only arises when you try to show preference to less desirable content before other content information consumers desire. Ie - advertising
Even with advertising in the mix, it is trivial for a search company to append a query score with its query results. With a transparent query score and a transparent algorithm, the community has a trustworthy third-party between the content producer and consumer.
Transparency and that includes the information source!!!