The Six Layers
1. Physical Infrastructure (Hardware)
The Foundation: Undersea cables, data centers, servers, electricity.
The Risk: If your server is unplugged (AWS ban, power outage), you disappear.
2. Network Protocols (Transport)
The Roads: DNS, TCP/IP, BGP.
The Risk: If your domain is seized (DNS attack) or traffic rerouted, you become
unreachable.
3. Identity Systems (Authentication)
The Passport: Usernames, logins, email addresses.
The Risk: If you use "Login with Facebook" and get banned, you lose your digital self.
4. Data Storage (Persistence)
The Files: Databases, images, posts.
The Risk: If data lives on a corporate cloud (Google Drive), it can be scanned, locked,
or deleted.
5. Application Layer (Interface)
The Experience: The app, the website, the UI.
The Risk: If the only way to access a network is via a proprietary app (Twitter for
iOS), the owner controls the rules.
6. Economic Layer (Value)
The Lifeblood: Payments, monetization, funding.
The Risk: If Visa/PayPal deplatform you, you starve, no matter how robust your servers
are.
Field Notes
The Weakest Link: Most digital projects focus on Layers 4 and 5 (building a cool app or website) while ignoring Layers 1, 2, and 6. As seen in the Rented Land of GeoCities or the Parler AWS ban, relying on corporate infrastructure at the bottom of the stack is a ticking time bomb.