When the last great technological revolution founded upon electricity and oil became widespread it completely changed our entire economic, social and political structures.  If we add in Darwin, Nietzsche  and modern science we can say religion was completely brought into question also.  The disturbance that fell upon humanity 150 years ago was cataclysmic when comparing before and after.  The computer and AI revolution will be at least as transformative.

Decentralization is not an optimizing process.  Things can be atomized beyond their optimum strength and functionality. Whereas cItadelization is a process of optimization because its goal is not to be small or independent but to best contain and fulfill a function required by mission versus outside forces.  The sphere is the natural citadel forced upon groups of similar matter from soap bubbles to planets and stars.

Part of the difference between decentralization and citadelization lies in the layering of collective self-interest.  To be completely self-sufficient is nearly impossible and an unwise use of time and resources when compared with the camaraderie and security of gathering into a small tribe.  The Phalanx of ancient warfare was so successful because of its network effect of group attack and defensive shielding.  There is an ideal size for any organization based upon its purpose and it is only rarely a solo operation.

When the history of this time is written in earnest, it will be compared to the religious inquisition of the Catholic church in Spain just before the Enlightenment.  The pure evil that can infect human organizations at the mental and emotional level cloaked in self-righteous and self-proclaimed truth was symbolized for me by the use of a high-backed “confession” chair with a hole just behind the neck.  A rope was placed around the neck of a human that authorities decided needed to repent and see the “truth”.  That rope was then put through the hole in the high-backed chair and a twisting, tightening stick was placed on the rope to facilitate the squeezing of the neck until the confessor’s eyes popped out of their skull. These inquisitors were “men of God”. Do I have your attention?