[grosjona]

The real reason why centralized networks currently cannot be replaced by decentralized alternatives is that being centralized allows a company to do secret, evil-but-lucrative deals under the table without having to reach any sort of social consensus.

Centralized solutions are not impeded by moral factors; they can optimize for user acquisition and profitability instead - They can corrupt the government such that new regulations work to their advantage. They can promise key external decision makers lucrative future contracts or positions in exchange for favors (e.g. onboarding lucrative customers)...