Snowden calls for decentralization, criticizes VC influence over Solana.
Edward Snowden, a privacy advocate and former National Security Agency (NSA) contractor, addressed decentralization while attending the Near Redacted conference in Bangkok, Thailand.
Snowden used Solana as an example when speaking on topics such as cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence and blockchain technology, as well as the influence of venture capital (VC) on blockchain projects.
He described Solana as “born in prison” due to heavy VC funding, suggesting that funding could be a barrier to blockchain networks becoming independent.
While acknowledging Solana's rapid growth, Snowden expressed concern that too much ownership had been given away to investors, though he noted that Solana could “become something” in the future.
Related: ‘Vote, but don't join a cult' – Edward Snowden on Bitcoin 2024
Decentralized operation with monitoring and AI
Throughout the speech, Snowden emphasized the importance of decentralization to prevent the vast surveillance capabilities enabled by AI.
He warned of AI-driven surveillance that would allow governments and corporations to process vast amounts of personal data in real time.
“They want to be coached on everything, and they want to be able to say you know who's going to be weird […] Look at them all, look at the whole human body, and pick out anyone who is strange.
Edward Snowden speaking on Decentralization, Solana and AI in Redacted November 10. Source: Cointelegraph
Related: Solana Open Interest Hits Record High: Will SOL Top $200?
Impact of VC funding
Snowden's criticism of Solana's early VC investment focused on how such funding undermines the decentralization and autonomy of blockchain networks.
Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) cited concerns echoed earlier in his vote against the proposal to deploy Uniswap v3 on BNB Chain.
The venture firm used 15 million Uniswap (UNI) token holders to vote on February 5, out of the initial 20 million (80.28%) “yes” votes and 4.9 million (19.72%) “no” votes.
This example, Snowden pointed out, highlights the control that large, centralized stakeholders can exercise over decentralized projects.
16z share bubble data against votes against the resolution. Source: Tally
Related: Coinbase wraps up Bitcoin and deploys Solana, aimed at the growing DeFi market
Open source FTW
Snowden advocated open-source tools as an important tool to counter regulatory centralization, arguing for the ability to empower the individual.
He described open source models as “incredibly empowering,” adding that open source models allow users to understand and implement blockchain technologies “so much better.”
“The important thing is that you guys can do this yourself […] I tell you people don't understand, if you don't use it, you need to use it […] The sky's the limit.”
Snowden sees open-source AI as an opportunity for centralized autonomy for individuals, encouraging listeners and users worldwide to adopt these tools.
Magazine: Real Life Agriculture: How Tokenization Is Changing Lives in Africa.
