A most interesting conundrum here. I have to wonder if the case for Centralization/Decentralization isn't being taken a bit to far? Human nature is such that some measure of 'central' authority will always be necessary however there can be no argument that our history shows us that we always manage to take that to far.

In the comments between @lordbutterfly and @ura-soul a discussion about PeerVerity came up. The article @ura-soul referenced (and wrote) on this topic led me to think that a great many of the complexities arising out of the particular issue of this article from @lordbutterfly can be solved with an easily code-able ethical principle. If we accept the principle that 'code is law' and we encode the Categorical Imperative into the most base layer of any systems governance, in a manner that cannot be circumvented, then I believe that it will be a relatively simple matter to rectify many of the complexity challenges facing functions such as PeerVerity.

Unfortunately, as so many of the comments and replies in just this thread show, there is a lot more ground that needs to be covered than this platform (Hive) really allows for. Real time discussion and interaction/debate is needed. The real beauty of systems such as Hive, for me, is the potential to spark thoughts and ideas and allow those to manifest into actions that lead to positive change. Yes we are facing some real challenges however one of my favorite pasttimes is when someone says, "you can't do that!". To which my own nature will always respond, "Oh! The hell I can't!....Watch Me!"

Smart contracts are amazingly powerful tools and (maybe I'm dumb as a stump here) I believe Hive was built out of the Ethereum Blockchain (the Original home of smart contracts) so it seems to me that building 'bridges' for exchanging, swapping and liquidity purposes can't really be all that difficult. Where 'trust' is an issue simply invoking the Categorical Imperative in the base code solves that problem. Getting the 'old school' players to get on board with the new paradigm, well that's their problem, our numbers are growing and they (the old school) will just have to muddle through as best they can.

Great Article @lordbutterfly and thanks also to @ura-soul for the article on PeerVerity!

Blessed Be.