In the fervour around new technologies, their positive potential usually overshadows the realities. In the case of blockchain, just like with the early web, the democratization and control of the individual is being cheered on. However, most of what is being built on the blockchain is actually:

• ❌ NOT ANONYMOUS

• ❌ NOT DECENTRALIZED

• ❌ NOT TRUSTLESS

The blockchain doesn't guarantee these things just like the open web couldn’t guarantee the free flow of information even though it was possible.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

❌ NOT ANONYMOUS

Most services/marketplaces require you to enter some sort of personally identifiable information. At least an email, and often government ID. The moment you make a txn through one of these services, any future txns w/ that wallet can now be traced back to you.

❌ NOT DECENTRALIZED

Most projects have centralized servers to manage user accounts. They can also control (restrict) those accounts. OpenSea controls the marketplace, Juicebox controls the projects, Decentraland controls the virtual world. Connecting a wallet = creating an account.

❌ NOT TRUSTLESS

Smart contracts = paper contracts when it comes to trust. Programming a smart contract to screw someone over is just like writing fine print into on paper one. A computer ensuring the contract is respected doesn't make it any safer than the court system doing it.