Crypto Reloaded: Rebranding the Dark Web, Spreading Art and Information (Security) Around the World
By Dr. Vera K. Wilde, Ph.D.
Summary: Two interventions to resolve the paradox of discretionary power in the age of mass surveillance are proposed. The paradox is that on one hand, discretion can be dangerous in the context of centralized power—but at the same time, trust in the discretionary power of our fellow hacktivists underpins the workings decentralized spaces and action that can help empower otherwise disempowered people. The first intervention is a rebranding of the subset of those decentralized spaces and action structures formerly known as the dark-Web—now the EDTR web (expressing, dissenting, teaching, resisting)—to make it more sustainable, safe, and simple to talk about. The second intervention is a reproducible art and info kit designed to produce trust spirals with art supplies and positive psychology exercises, enhance information security by propagating crypto, and transmit free books around the world.
