The Protocol Seeking Protocol

The essay proposes a generalized set of protocol tools for pursuing "hardness," meaning the reliable parts of society one can build on, and argues that every reliance carries risk that is transitive, so trust and risk pass along the chain of dependencies. It names three risk-limiting categories: Reduction (smaller, more calculated risks), Revocation (the ability to take back a decision), and Recommendation (vouching by someone trusted). The author also defines delegation as a nonexclusive ability to consume a resource, such as token allowances in web3, and argues that its non-exclusivity expands the number of agents able to provide a service.