Instead, we got targeted ads, infinite scroll, and a browser that knows your mood before you do.

But don’t worry — the real future isn’t fully built yet.

And if you’re reading this, you’re one of the few who might still help shape it.

Here’s how.

Privacy That Sells: Hide Identity, Not Value Let’s be honest: total anonymity isn’t commercially viable. But unlinkability is.

In the future, the systems that win will be those that can target relevance without revealing real identity. You can track preferences without knowing who. You can personalize without compromising.

That’s the lesson from cypherpunk thinking: the best privacy tech doesn't stop communication — it severs the link between activity and true identity.

Use pseudonymous identity layers. Tokenize behavior, not the person. Sell ad placement, not user dossiers. This isn’t anti-commercial — it’s the design of sustainable, trust-based commerce. Systems that honor the line between context and coercion.

https://www.gizvault.com/archives/realist-guide-to-cyberpunk-survival