Your host, Thomas Watkins, talks with the President of The Authenticity Alliance, Wes Kussmaul. In 1981, long before the term "social media" entered our lexicon, Delphi Corporation began an ambitious project to create a digital encyclopedia. Wes Kussmaul recounted the company's fascinating evolution from a knowledge repository to a social media platform, complete with bulletin boards, email, and chatrooms. Delphi's strategic partnerships with computer hobbyist magazines and its competition with industry giants like CompuServe and Reader's Digest were instrumental in its success.

Wes took us on a journey back to a time when graphics were limited by modem speeds, and the internet was still a project under the National Science Foundation. He shared anecdotes about the pre-internet X25 protocol and networked BBS systems, painting a vivid picture of the social networks of the 1980s. It was a time of rapid evolution, leading to the commercialization of the Internet in the early '90s.

Wes introduced us to "Moai," an innovative concept representing "My Own Information." This personal information vault empowers individuals to control their data, allowing them to license specific information to entities like tire vendors or insurance companies while maintaining their privacy. He explained the role of Osman's attestation officers in verifying identities under legitimate circumstances, ensuring protection and control for users.

Learn more about Wes's work HERE.

Connect with Wes on LinkedIn HERE.

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Learn more about Thomas's work at 3Leaf HERE.