Well written and argued, but I have two issues. First, it's arguing against the natural evolution of technology. Centralization is a re-occurring feature of so

Well written and argued, but I have two issues. First, it's arguing against the natural evolution of technology. Centralization is a re-occurring feature of software systems due to it's technical benefits. Data collection, organizational structure [0] and other considerations also affect centralization, but their existence doesn't negate the technical considerations. Whether an ATM or bus card system should be (de)centralized is partially a technical issue: what networks are available and how reliable are they, what's the cpu/mem/storage of the end points, how often do we update, etc... Second, restraint of Governments might be aided by making collection more difficult, but Governments can deploy large groups of people for long periods, while individuals and smaller groups cannot. Youtube and cellphone cameras empower the weak, while the old technology of cameras belonging to local businesses [1] benefit only the Government (or very large groups.) [0] "organizations which design systems ... are constrained to produce designs which are copies of the communication structures of these organizations." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conway%27s_law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conway%27s_law [1] "There is a gap in the footage from about 9:18 p.m. to 10:39 p.m., which covers the time when McDonald was shot by Officer Jason Van Dyke on a nearby street." http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-shooting-laquan-mcdonald-burger-king-video-met-20151203-story.html http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-shooting-laquan-mcdona...