Our main goal at DNN is to address fake and sensationalized news by holding everyone in the news dissemination process accountable. In order to cultivate accountability, we’re leveraging on blockchain technology and digital currencies to ensure transparency and incentivize active participation in the media landscape. In addition, we’re also counting on a team of professional and academic advisors for their infinite industry knowledge and insightful ideas.

As we continue to work towards our goals, we’re eager to share their wisdom with you. Join us every Thursday for an in-depth Q&A with one of our talented DNN advisors, and get to know some of the visionaries behind the DNN platform.

This week, we’re chatting with Richard Mills, Social Scientist at the University of Cambridge.

Q: How did you first come across the Decentralized News Network? What were your initial thoughts on the project and how have they changed since coming on board the DNN team?

A: In November 2017 I started looking into blockchain projects after realizing that there are now a number of projects that are doing very interesting things with regard to decentralized governance and production. A major strand of my research is observing systems in which people interact with each other, in some novel way, for the purpose of making decisions or producing a resource.

I got in touch with Pietro Speroni about his research and he mentioned that he is now advising DNN. I read the DNN Whitepaper and thought it sounded like a very interesting project. Crowd-sourced production and review of content is one of the areas I’ve been working on for the last few years, and I thought DNN could make an interesting subject for my research, so I reached out to Samit. I set up a call with Samit and Dondrey. I really enjoyed talking to them about the project and was very impressed by their attitude, so I happily agreed to be an advisor.

Q: What is your specific area of influence on the DNN project?

A: I’ll be looking at how the editorial review process works in practice, talking to users and analyzing the procedural data the platform generates. Through WikiRate.org, I have experience working on the design of a platform for a novel form of peer production, and my research on Reddit gave me some insight into how algorithms work in terms of handling user votes operating at different scales. While having a good initial design is important, there is always room to fine-tune it once users start to contribute. I see my role as conducting research to understand how the platform is being used, where it works well and where it could be improved.

Q: Continuing that train of thought, your area of expertise lies in peer production and online community governance, with a specific focus on understanding platform structures and the influence of algorithms. Can you briefly touch on the potential influence of algorithms in regards to DNN? From a purely social standpoint, how do you believe the peer-production component will also influence participation on the DNN platform?

A: I see DNN as fundamentally a peer production endeavour because participation is open to all and contributors are free to self-select their roles (writer, reviewer, etc.). The algorithms dictate how users’ actions influence the system and each other. It is great that Pietro Speroni is advising on the decision-making system for editorial review, I’m really looking forward to seeing that in action.