Where does value pool when every­thing interoperates? Who decides what gets included in the default spec? What becomes the DNS for agents — the uni­versal direc­tory of capabilities, reputations, revocations? And critically, what’s the TLS-equivalent for intent, the cryp­to­graphic proof that an agent’s request actu­ally rep­re­sents a human’s will?

I really strongly rec­om­mend this exer­cise to anyone who feels dis­sat­is­fied with their options on the internet today. Give it a few evenings. Imagine some­thing new; describe it as clearly as you can.

New protocols for AI

I really like this provo­ca­tion in Tina He’s 2026 open inquiries:

I say “provo­ca­tion” with some precision: I am both daz­zled and dis­mayed by Tina’s ques­tions. By her whole post, actu­ally. I sup­pose I always want to see a little “why” mixed in with the urgent “what” and “how”. The broad “why” of the AI industry (and affil­i­ated enthusiasts) in early 2026 seems only to be “because we can; because it is upon us”. That’s not an uncommon response to technology, but nat­u­rally I’m inter­ested in going a bit deeper.

Of course, one approach would be to answer the ques­tions Tina is asking.

It’s a few