Source: Seth's Blog
Seth Godin argues that telecommunications' defining feature—universal interoperability, where anyone can reach anyone—is being dismantled by platform gatekeeping and selective access. As networks become mediated by algorithms, authentication systems, and corporate filters rather than open protocols, the tradeoff becomes clear: friction-free communication for controlled engagement. Platforms profit from attention capture while universal reachability fragments. This shift from public utility to curated marketplace favors incumbents and raises barriers for competitors and newcomers.