Why do open protocols seem to only work when there's some dirt simple coordination format?
- Why do open protocols seem to only work when there's some dirt simple coordination format?
- Because to coordinate around a protocol people have to decide to use it, and the value of using it goes up with the number of other people who already use it.
- A classic network effect.
- The more complex it is--the more characters of normative spec text–the more there is to disagree with.[abr]
- Because the coordination point is an emergent property of multiple actors, a linear increase in length of things to disagree with leads to a super-linear decrease in likelihood to be a viable coordination point.
- This is the exact same inescapable coordination tragedy[abs] covered in the slime mold deck.