Polycarp Nakamoto just did a long-form sit-down on the node-as-internet stuff. DNS replaced by the blockchain, running on Umbrel/Start9, off-grid spending with Fedimint and Cashu.

New episode of the Free Cities Podcast (I'm the host). I went to Austin and got Poly across a table in person for a proper deep dive into the Web 5 / Lab 484 stuff.

The tech stuff:

• Hosting sites on your node and using the blockchain as a DNS replacement
• Running the whole thing on an Umbrel or Start9 box with a private self-hosted AI alongside it
• Off-grid spending with Fedimint and Cashu, and nodes relaying data for e-cash fees
• Mesh fallback over radio, Meshtastic and Ubiquiti when the ISPs are down

I love the idea (I can't think of a better alternative either) but i'm sceptical throughout the convo because I think it will be a Herculean task to get the public to use this. Am I too pessimistic?

Full conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdKHpUS1cAs