A contract that is solely on based "trust" is worthless. People are unpredictable and can change without giving an indicator.

I think the notion of machines doesn't play a role here because the code executes a set of rules written by a human after reaching a certain level of consensus.

Ned did many things wrong and witnesses too. But I can't understand the difference between:

• Ned selling steem to one person.

• Or that one person buying the same amount of steem from the market.

• Or Ned selling Steem on the market then that person buys that steem from the market.

• Or Ned selling that same amount to different people in the market.

(Witnesse did nothing when STINC was actually heavily selling STEEM)

Freezing those accounts is a political decision that hides a much worse and deeper history of incompetence, greed, lack of professionalism and accountability. Everyone is to blame here.