Distributed Trust Network Proposal

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Revision as of 04:12, 7 April 2011 by 67.180.21.133 (talk)

This document serves as a proposal for a new Digital Trust Network. Standard work-in-progress disclaimers apply.

Introduction

Trust 1.0

The existing ecosystem of digital trust networks is dominated by what we will refer to as Trust 1.0 systems. These systems involve a single, publicly-accessible profile for each agent that reacts to karmic input by other agents. The Couchsurfing network is an example of such a system. Each user's profile contains a comment wall containing positive and negative feedback from others. The nature of this feedback varies, and the only quantifiable metric is a drop-down menu stating whether interactions with this person have been positive, negative, or neutral.

Shortcomings of Trust 1.0

The Couchsurfing reference system has experienced wide adoption. Unfortunately, there are several fundamental problems with the Trust 1.0 approach that limit its usefulness.

  • Shyness - People are extremely disinclined to give negative feedback, because the feedback is directly visible to the person in question. No matter how it's phrased, a negative reference invariable comes off as a low blow and sours whatever was left of the relationship. Leaving negative feedback is also risky, because other parties tend to retaliate with (often fabricated) negative feedback of their own.
  • Objectivity - Trust 1.0 systems assume that there is a single and objective portrait of a person to be portrayed. Even my enemies tend to have friends who will write positive things about them. Cases of this range from intentional deception (a ring of burglars vouching for each others' trustworthiness) to differences of opinion (you and I disagree on whether Sarah's partying is positive or negative).