"Centralization" and "Decentralization"
To explain "decentralization", we must first mention its opposite-"centralization".
What is "centralization"?
"Centralization" means that the node is determined by the center, and the node depends on the center. Without the center node, it will not run smoothly.
For a simple example, the shopping APP we commonly use now is a "centralized" platform. On this platform, our shopping, trading and other activities depend on the shopping platform. The platform can obtain all the data of consumers and businesses, and make some decisions in this process, and has certain rights to influence this process, such as commodity push. , is the center of the whole shopping process.
Because the center controls the data, the audience's desire for "decentralization" is more urgent. The so-called "decentralization" means removing the center, dispersing the power that originally belonged to the center, and realizing point-to-point communication between users.
What is "decentralization"?
"Decentralization" is a social relationship and content production form formed in the development of the Internet, and it is a new type of network content production process relative to "centralization".
Compared with the early Internet era, "decentralization" refers to the transfer of power and operation from companies or governments to users. The content is no longer produced by a professional website or a specific person, but the result of the participation of all netizens and the creation of equal rights. Anyone can express their opinions or create content on the Internet, which is the same as production information.
Simply put, in a decentralized world, everyone will be a node and anyone can be a center. No center is permanent, but phased, and no center is mandatory for nodes.
How to distinguish between centralization and decentralization?
From the perspective of lexical interpretation, the difference between the two is actually very obvious.
To give a simple example, "decentralization" is like attending a class reunion. Everyone is equal in activities and can freely choose to stay or stay. No one's departure will affect the party.
And "centralization" is like attending a music festival. During the activity, you will follow the singer's rhythm. Once the singer leaves, the music festival will stop.
Advantages of "decentralization"
1. Reduce risk
Compared with "centralization", which stores all data in a central node, "decentralization" can better avoid the invasion of network data by outsiders, such as hackers invading the network. In "centralized" nodes, hackers only need to attack the central node to destroy the whole network, while "decentralization" is maintained by multiple central levels, so hacking one of the nodes will not have much impact.
2. Decentralize the power of the center to avoid data monopoly.
"Decentralization" can disperse the power of "centralized" companies, avoid the emergence of data monopoly, ensure the information privacy of users, avoid the intervention of third parties, and avoid the disclosure of information.
Saving resources
Because the "decentralized" processing form is more concise, it will save more resources when conducting a large number of data transactions at the same time.
4. Autonomy and high efficiency
Because "decentralization" adopts blockchain technology to realize point-to-point transactions, it ensures efficient and large-scale information interaction.
misunderstand
"Decentralization" does not mean that there is no center, but that the center is diversified. Anyone can be a center, but it won't be permanent.
conclusion
As a typical feature of blockchain, "decentralization" makes the operation of blockchain independent of the central processing node, and realizes the distributed storage, recording and updating of data. In this era of high-profile development of the meta-universe, the charm of "decentralization" is bound to become more prominent.