The Internet: A Corporate Hijacking of Digital Freedom?

The Internet: A Corporate Hijacking of Digital Freedom?

Author: Gareth King December 20, 2025 Duration: 53:05

The internet was supposed to be where the free exchange of knowledge and ideas happened. Instead, it’s become a place increasingly controlled by a few companies, leading to the regular suppression of inconvenient or unpopular ideas.

Joining us is Wouter Constant, co-founder and researcher at Nostr, an open protocol for decentralised, censorship-resistant communication.

⁠https://nostr.com/⁠

⁠https://weboftrustfoundation.com/

Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.

Follow the show, let us know what else to look into at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ruinedbytheinternet.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or support us at ⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/rbtishow⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Wouter joins us to explore the evolution of the internet from its original promise of free expression to its current state dominated by centralised platforms. We discuss the implications of corporate control, government involvement, and the potential for a decentralised future that prioritises freedom of association and censorship resistance.

We also look at the evolution of decentralised social media, and its implications for digital responsibility, identity, and content authenticity, as well as the importance of user responsibility in shaping the future of online interactions.

00:00 The Promise of the Internet and Its Decline

02:54 The Rise of Centralised Platforms

05:54 Investment, Network Effects, and the Corporate Sphere

09:00 Government Involvement and Censorship Dynamics

12:02 The Future of the Internet: Decentralisation and Freedom of Association

15:07 Challenges of a Decentralised Internet

18:08 The Responsibility of Platforms and User Experience

27:09 Understanding Responsibility in Digital Spaces

29:44 The Evolution of Decentralised Social Media

32:30 Nostr vs. Bluesky: A Comparative Analysis

35:30 The Role of Identity and Reputation in Nostr

39:16 Decentralisation and Content Authenticity

44:25 Navigating AI-Generated Content in Nostr

50:51 Building a Safer Internet for Future Generations


It’s a question that nags at anyone who’s ever felt a pang of nostalgia or a wave of digital fatigue: are we better or worse off because of our constant connection? Hosted by Gareth King, Ruined By The Internet? digs into that uneasy feeling, moving beyond simple headlines to explore how our online world actively moulds society, culture, and the texture of daily life. This isn’t about reviewing apps or gadgets; it’s about treating the digital realm as the pervasive environment it has become. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with leading thinkers and researchers from around the world, dissecting the real evidence behind our shared anxieties and hopes. You’ll hear nuanced discussions that ask whether the casualties we often blame on technology are inevitable, or if we’re simply misdiagnosing deeper societal shifts. This podcast provides a space for considered reflection, offering listeners a clearer lens through which to view their own place in a world that is, for better or worse, thoroughly wired.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 26

Ruined By The Internet? - Uncovering the human cost of our digital world
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