An analysis of SSI using Appreciative Inquiry. This is a philosophical approach to understanding non-technology implications of new technology - from a positive perspective. Self-sovereign identity is a concept that utilizes blockchain for self-asserted identity.

1. An Appreciative Inquiry Analysis
Self-Sovereign Identity
Heather Vescent
IIW – April 2018

2. Presentation Context
• This session was held at IIW 26, April 2018
• Previous context of this topic is from RWOT
– Paper: https://github.com/WebOfTrustInfo/rebooting-the-
web-of-trust-spring2018/blob/master/topics-and-
advance-readings/SustainableTechnologyCommons-
HeatherVescentv3.pdf
• Notes from the session are included in this
presentation and will be incorporated into this draft:
– https://github.com/WebOfTrustInfo/rebooting-the-web-
of-trust-spring2018/blob/master/draft-documents/
Towards%20a%20Sustainable%20Technology%20Common
s.md

3. what is
appreciative
inquiry?

4. 5 Principles
Constructivist
Poetic
Simultaneity
Anticipatory
Positive

5. what is
self sovereign
identity?

6. Self-sovereign identity is…
• Reclaim individual authority over identity
• No single entity provides your identity
• Symmetric
• Everyone is a peer – equal
• Mutuality – negotiate boundaries

7. the world as I am
The Constructivist Principle is the
rule that we see the world as we
are: our interior state, our mores,
values and experiences create the
lens in which we view the world.
constructing

8. what are we constructing?
The Constructivist Principle is the
rule that we see the world as we
are: our interior state, our mores,
values and experiences create the
lens in which we view the world.
constructing

9. Constructivist
• A movement to reclaim our authority
– From systems, governments, intermediaries
– Includes technology, policy, regulation
• Everyone deserves identity
• SSI is how I think about ID
• A political idea
• FB decides your name, if you are a nazi, and
the gender of your nipple.

10. poetic what are we focusing on?
The Poetic Principle says, what
we focus on grows.

11. poetic what do we want to focus on?
what do we want to grow?
The Poetic Principle says, what
we focus on grows.

12. Poetic
• Technology is the low hanging fruit
• Remover of the gate keeper
• Focus on agency & autonomy
• More symmetry, peers, equal
• Wakanda effect
– The emotional connection to SSI

13. simultaneous inquire & change are concurrent
The Simultaneity Principle is the rule
that when we ask the questions we
have already begun to change.
Change is happening all the time, at
any stage of the process.

14. simultaneous What are we exploring? What is
changing right now?
The Simultaneity Principle is the rule
that when we ask the questions we
have already begun to change.
Change is happening all the time, at
any stage of the process.

15. Simultaneity
• Everyone is renegotiating sovereignty
– Brexit, Scotland, Glasgow
– Guns and Pot
– Trans movement
– Women and Minorities
• Billions of smart phones
– Enables a new technology architecture
– Illusion that our devices represent us
– Prosthetics - corporate gatekeepers, we don’t truly
own the devices

16. anticipate we believe, we conceive
The Anticipatory Principle is the
rule that what we believe, we
conceive.

17. anticipate what do we believe?
The Anticipatory Principle is the
rule that what we believe, we
conceive.

18. Anticipatory
• SSI is a good thing
• This is a solvable problem
• Freedom to associate can solve problems
• Create more value than it will cost for all –
even skeptics
• Top down approach is naive
• It will increase human dignity
• Will increase autonomy, fairness, equality

19. positive identify our strengths
The Positive Principle is where
we identify and leverage
strengths. I like to remember
the successes we have already
experienced as part of history.

20. positive what are our strengths?
The Positive Principle is where
we identify and leverage
strengths. I like to remember
the successes we have already
experienced as part of history.

21. Positive
• More resilient
• Reduce violence and coercion
• More Authority – a more ethical framework
• Appealing – a lot of people think about it
• Evocative
• Wakanda effect – attracts people to the space

22. Probability
thank you
plausibility
@heathervescent
www.heathervescent.com
more info at