RE: "The Ultimate Computer" - Star Trek’s Warning about the Future of AI: Where does Bitcoin fit in?
This is an interesting dilemma.
However, i do not feel the controls of the situation are fairly explored.
Right now, if we replaced DC with a bunch of computers, nothing would change. Psychopathic behavior is far easier to model than a normal human behavior.
No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. - Luke 6:43
Our number one problem is that we have psychopaths in charge. They have created a structure that serves them best, the pyramid. A psychopath will do whatever it takes to get in charge. Far more effort than any normal person would ever think to sustain for the position.
If right now, we implemented The Venus Project's resource based society, it would be just like what we have now. All the problems would remain, and newer problems that would destroy people's freedoms more would come into existence.
Our problem starts with the organizations being corrupt from the beginning. They didn't become corrupt over time.
The Child Protective Services was designed to transport children for unholy usage. The rest was just window dressing, to make it seem legit.
So, to get to a good place, we need things that didn't start off corrupt, and that the important elements are measured. And because they are measured we can see if they are doing what they say.
Crypto-currencies are one of those things.
Smart contracts for payment on delivery will be another.
I call it making excellent tools. A hammer is an excellent tool, because you can easily see exactly what it is for and watch it working.
A "smart" phone is not a good tool. At best, it is not even your phone, it is actually owned and controlled by the service provider. Worse, it could be controlled by krackers, the NSA, the FBI, the IRS and your service provider, while you have no control whatsoever.
Decentralization cannot change the human condition, but it can help mitigate the damage psychopaths can do because flat systems make it much more difficult for them to achieve significant control.