My First Impressions of Web3 (moxie.org)

Article summary

The article discusses the author's experience with web3, a concept that aims to decentralize the internet. The author, a cryptographer, explores the web3 space by building dApps and creating an NFT, but finds that the technology is not as decentralized as claimed. Instead, they discover that many web3 applications rely on centralized platforms and APIs, which can lead to issues with trust, privacy, and control. The author argues that this centralization is a result of human behavior and the need for convenience and usability.

Main themes

• web3 decentralization
• centralized platforms
• human behavior and usability
• trust and privacy
• critique of web3
• evolution of web3 ecosystem
• accessibility and user-friendliness

What commenters say

• The article provides a nuanced and technical critique of web3, highlighting its limitations and deficiencies.
• Web3 is not truly decentralized, but rather a rebranding of existing technologies with a new label.
• The centralization of web3 applications is a result of human behavior and the need for convenience and usability.
• Decentralization is not a priority for most users, who are willing to trade off control and privacy for ease of use.
• The article's critique of web3 is overly negative and fails to acknowledge its potential strengths and benefits.
• The web3 ecosystem is still evolving and it is too early to make definitive judgments about its potential.
• The use of centralized platforms and APIs in web3 applications is a necessary step towards making the technology more accessible and user-friendly.
• The article's findings are not surprising, given the history of the internet and the tendency towards centralization in online platforms.