# Decentralization

By [A1](https://paragraph.com/@a1) · 2022-05-07

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Decentralization is the overarching governing principle of the proper metaverse, and many subsequent features depend on or derive from this primary concept. Decentralization means that it is not owned or operated by a single entity and is not at the mercy of a few power brokers. Centralized platforms often start out friendly and cooperative to attract users and developers, but once growth slows, their relationships become competitive, extractive, and zero-sum. These powerful intermediaries often abuse user rights and de-platforming, and they host captive economies at aggressive rates. Decentralized systems, on the other hand, exhibit more equitable ownership, less censorship and greater diversity among stakeholders. Decentralization is important. Without it, anyone can become 'clunky' at any time - an instability that prevents people from building on top of it and thus hinders innovation. Because centralized platforms cannot make the same strong code-controlled commitments as blockchains , their commitments can be withdrawn or changed whenever leaders or organizations have a sudden whim about some arrangement. The most powerful way to prevent such abuses and protect the metaverse is to ensure that control is decentralized.

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*Originally published on [A1](https://paragraph.com/@a1/decentralization)*