Part 4/13:
Because of these hurdles, large audiences congregate on these centralized platforms, which justify their business models by keeping the mass of content and money flow within their walled gardens, often at the expense of creators and consumers alike.
This inherently leads to a pay-to-play ecosystem where user data is commodified, turning users into the product for advertising revenue. The democratization potential of micropayments—allowing tiny transactions directly between creators and audiences—is deliberately stifled by this aging financial infrastructure.