This document discusses the evolution of large-scale coordination from rigid hierarchies to decentralized networks. It proposes a new stigmergic model of coordination based on indirect and spontaneous coordination between agents through signals left in the environment. This would allow for distributed, global coordination without the need for centralized control. The document outlines a new protocol called BACKFEED that could support this type of decentralized collaborative organization through a distributed consensus mechanism, reputation system, and value distribution model to incentivize cooperation.

1. (Stigmergic) Network Society
From rigid hierarchies to decentralized networks
Matan Field
BACKFEED
Network Society congress, October 2015

2. Large-scale (self) coordination
Vision
Observation
Means
Examples

3. Text
The vision:
Networks without Incs

4. Text
Observation: Stigmergy
Indirect, spontaneous coordination

5. Stigmergy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stigmergy is a mechanism of indirect coordination between
agents or actions.[1] The principle is that the trace left in the
environment by an action stimulates the performance of a next
action, by the same or a different agent. In that way, subsequent
actions tend to reinforce and build on each other, leading to the
spontaneous emergence of coherent, apparently systematic
activity.
Stigmergy is a form of self-organization. It produces complex,
seemingly intelligent structures, without need for any planning,
control, or even direct communication between the agents. As
such it supports efficient collaboration between extremely simple
agents, who lack any memory, intelligence or even individual awaren

6. Stigmergy
Indirect, spontaneous coordination
Agents emit signals
Agents decisions are biased by those signals
Bias is “designed” to induce synchronicity of actions
No agent has control of anything
Unstable to self-aware, exploiting agents
(semi-resilience)

7. Text
Ants algorithm
Optimal minimal-path finder

10. Stigmergy in Nature
• The only large-scale
coordination in nature
• Fits well very simple
(algorithmic) agents
• No need for incentive or trust
• Cooperation is (almost) the
winning strategy
• Unstable to self-aware agents

11. Evolution of
human large-scale coordination

12. Evolution
Centralized
Federated
Distributed, local
Distributed, global
Information
Value
Governance

13. Rigid coordination
Centralized: hierarchical governance, kingdoms
Linear process of information
Rapid decisions in static conditions
Highly vulnerable to rapid changes & critical mistakes

14. Federated coordination
Semi-distributed: democracy, the Internet
Semi-parallel
Sensitive to corruption
Still not adopting fast enough

15. Market (p2p) coordination
Subjective distribution: pure capitalism
Local optimization (no global coordination)
Driving competition, twists and severe inequalities
Non-sustainable: rolling over the cliff

16. Stigmergic coordination
Inter-subjective distribution: DCO
Decentralization
Scalability
Resilience
Macro-diversity
Micro-homogeneity
Incentive: Cooperation is the winning strategy

17. Cooperation is the winning strategy

18. Means

19. Distributed Hash Table (DHT)
Distributed protocol for file (information) sharing

20. Distributed Hash Table (DHT)
BitTorrent, IPFS, Synereo, …

21. Text
The Blockchain
A distributed, consensus protocol
(based only on “algorithmically verifiable input”)

22. Text
The Blockchain
A distributed computer

23. BACKFEED protocol
A distriburted, consensus protocol based on human input

24. BACKFEED protocol
P2P evaluation mechanics
Decentralized reputation system
Decentralized value-distribution system
Incentive model for (early) cooperation
(makes collaboration the winning strategy)

25. BACKFEED protocol
DNA for Decentralized Collaborative Organisations

26. BACKFEED protocol
DNA for Distributed Network Society

27. The blockchain stack
DHT
Blockchain
Backfeed protocol
Collaborative platform
Visual Browser

28. BLOCKCHAIN STACKINTERNET STACK

29. Evaluation protocol, Reputation and Token distribution

30. TOKEN DISTRIBUTION
Each evaluation is made of 3 key elements:
• Evaluation (in tokens) of the contribution under evaluation
• Reputation of the evaluator that determines the weight of her vote
• Reputation at stake, as a fraction of the evaluator’s reputation

31. TOKEN DISTRIBUTION

32. REPUTATION SYSTEM

33. What the tokens are for?

35. Examples
Decentralized Ride-Sharing
Decentralized Journalism / Media
Decentralized Insurance
Decentralized Makers / Startups
Decentralize VC
Decentralized Environmental Movement
Decentralized Social Network

36. BACKFEED Team

37. control
nothing