Here's a question for you fine folks. If the network is decentralized as you've said what controls the development of the platform? Suppose we want to make modifications to the system's architecture and design. Would I be right to assume your plan is to build a self-sustaining autonomous system, e.g. using intelligent algorithms that learn from user behavior to adjust the platform's parameters? I ask this question because of concerns over the potential long-term survival, flexibility, and evolution of Synereo. I realize you don't want any single person or group to have arbitrary control. However, if the system is adaptive as I imagine it then it seems very likely there could be many unforeseen consequences and highly desirable changes in its design which would require some level of human intervention. I'm sure you've considered this. In which case, I need to ask, are the developers in absolute control? What role does the community play in influencing the future of Synereo? In my view, there should be a means to democratically engineer and regulate this system. I'm not talking about the superficial content layer, but the deep structure underlying the network's activity. Will the technically-minded general public have any power to vote or achieve consensus about these matters?
Apologies for putting you on the spot, but I think issues like this need attention.
Now that's my kind of question.
I am a big believer in the wisdom of crowds and in deliberative processes. One of my main passions for Synereo is that it provides cutting-edge collaborative tools for people to engage each other with regardless of physical proximity.
While the Synereo developers are going to be the ones steering the ship, we expect our community to be heavily involved in defining the destination through these tools that we aim to build.
We're also planning on providing simple ways for people to interface directly with the various layers Synereo is built of. Expect a blog post on the subject soon.
Considering the above and with Synereo being open source, it is infinitely open to experimentation. We're planning on making it so you may use different versions of Synereo - and completely different applications - that are still compatible with the network at large, enjoying a different experience and experimental interaction types and governance laws without leaving your friends behind.
Groups are particularly open to such experimentation.