Digital Monopolies and Restoration

This unit examines the historical rise of the web and surveillance capitalism, the consolidation and practices of large corporations (Big Tech, Big Ag, Big Energy), and the social, economic, and environmental harms that result. It introduces restorative alternatives—Web3, conscious capitalism, governance mechanisms, and privacy concepts—and prepares learners to design policy and technical responses in subsequent units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the historical development of Web1→Web2 and the emergence of surveillance capitalism, citing how monopolistic consolidation enabled extractive business practices
• Evaluate the social, economic, and environmental impacts of Big Tech, Big Ag, and Big Energy using case evidence from fines, lobbying, misinformation, and competitive behavior
• Compare and contrast Web1, Web2, and Web3 alongside the principles of conscious capitalism to assess the potential and limitations of Web3-based restoration networking
• Design a preliminary governance and privacy strategy for a restoration-focused digital network that incorporates wallets, a user advisory board, an institute model, and clear distinctions between privacy and anonymity