[qwename]

Communicating over the Internet is like relaying letters with the destination and return address at the top. Anyone in the chain can choose to look at the content, tamper with it, or refuse to pass it on.

A giant web that relies on trust. Is there a system where trust is not necessary, but can still get things done? Although I can't think of a use-case for this.

[myowncrapulence]

  Is there a system where trust is not necessary, but can still get things done?

Yes. Check out cjdns (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cjdns) and Hyperboria (https://hyperboria.net)

An entirely encrypted network of relays where ip addresses themselves are encrypted so no one can snoop traffic.

[qwename]

It seems like users are not anonymous, but this lead me to the concepts of overlay networks[1], darknet[2], and mesh networks[3]. Thanks for that.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overlay_network

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darknet

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mesh_networking

[egh5oon]

No mention of Tor and its Onion Services?

[kuschku]

Postcards. That describes what you mean.

[revelation]

The thin paper wafer around your mail hardly makes it tamperproof. Laws are a good start.