venor

GM!

@Tekkadan, ゲロゲロ! 🐸 # Merit-Based Relay Directory Service (MBRDS) for Nostr: Governance White Paper **Version:** 1.0 **Date:** August 26, 2025 *** ## Abstract This white paper introduces the Merit-Based Relay Directory Service (MBRDS): a non-tokenized, reputation-driven infrastructure and governance framework for decentralized relay discovery in the Nostr network. MBRDS is tailored for community accountability, service reliability, and protocol scalability, all without financial or token voting influence. By prioritizing meritocratic mechanisms—peer evaluation, verified contributions, and reputation—the system aligns network management with Nostr’s grassroots, censorship-resistant ethos. *** ## 1. Introduction Nostr’s open architecture has accelerated adoption of decentralized social platforms, but onboarding challenges, fragmented relay lists, and lack of infrastructure accountability remain unsolved. Previous designs relying on tokenized or stake-based voting systems have maximized the risks of centralization and plutocracy. The MBRDS framework is designed as an alternative: a system built entirely on multi-dimensional merit, reputation, and verified contribution, ensuring relay discovery is democratic, transparent, and resilient. *** ## 2. Meritocratic Directory Service Provider (DSP) Selection ### 2.1 DSP Roles - Maintain the relay directory mesh, serving as critical infrastructure for network relay discovery and quality assurance. - Monitor, evaluate, and list relay service providers (RSPs) based on transparent metrics. - Interface with the community for feedback, appeals, and operational improvements. ### 2.2 Selection Process - **Nomination:** Any network participant may nominate DSP candidates, substantiating their technical, community, or organizational value. - **Verification:** Candidacies are vetted by panels comprised of developers, relay operators, and independent community reviewers. - **Peer Evaluation:** Ratings on multiple dimensions—technical skill, uptime, geographic diversity, transparency, and collaborative behavior—are aggregated into a public reputation score. - **Continuous Assessment:** DSP service is time-boxed and subject to regular performance audits and community feedback mechanisms. Failure to meet standards triggers reevaluation or replacement. - **Diversity Optimization:** Panel-based selection ensures geographic and jurisdictional diversity among DSPs, preventing concentration in any region or stakeholder group. *** ## 3. Service Standards for Relay Operators - **Eligibility:** RSPs must meet minimum requirements for uptime, reliability, transparency, and moderation practices to be discoverable via the directory. - **Connection Model:** Each relay connects to three diverse DSPs, maximizing redundancy, minimizing single-point failures, and optimizing latency. - **Quality Audits:** Peer-driven audits and technical checks facilitate continuous improvements. *** ## 4. Consensus and Governance Systems - **Consensus Mechanism:** Governance events (e.g. DSP elections, RSP quality standards updates) are decided through structured reputation-weighted consensus among DSPs, relay operators, and panels. - **Decision Transparency:** All changes, votes, rationales, and appeals are publicly recorded in the governance dashboard. - **Rotating Panels and Term Limits:** Panel members and DSPs rotate regularly to avoid entrenchment and to encourage fresh perspectives and innovation. *** ## 5. Economic and Operational Sustainability - No tokens or stake-based incentives. - Directory listing fees, premium analytics, support services, and third-party grants provide stable operational funding. - Cooperative resource sharing, open source tooling, and community contribution minimize overhead. *** ## 6. Security and Anti-Gaming Defenses - **Sybil Resistance:** Identity verification through sustained, cross-verified contributions; social graph analytics; and credential audits. - **Reputation Auditing:** Peer evaluations are monitored for manipulation and bias; temporal weighting ensures recent performance is prioritized. - **Appeals Process:** Structured, transparent processes allow for dispute resolution and correcting governance errors. *** ## 7. Democratic Legitimacy - **Open Deliberations:** All contributors have equal voice in community debates; expertise informs, but never overrides, inclusive decision-making. - **Accessibility:** Support for participation from diverse backgrounds, with guidance for skill development and inclusion. - **Minority Protections:** Deliberative mechanisms guard against majority tyranny, supporting protocol neutrality and censorship resistance. *** ## 8. Implementation Roadmap ### Phase 1: Foundation - Develop peer review and reputation infrastructure. - Recruit DSP candidates and design the panel system. - Deploy initial directory mesh protocol and relay registration. ### Phase 2: Community Expansion - Begin public nomination cycles and panel evaluations. - Integrate relay onboarding, community feedback, and open governance dashboards. ### Phase 3: Scaling - Expand DSP and relay pools, refine governance and audit processes, and evolve service models for long-term sustainability. *** ## 9. Conclusion The Merit-Based Relay Directory Service (MBRDS) delivers a scalable, resilient, and democratic infrastructure for Nostr relay discovery and management. By anchoring governance in multi-dimensional reputation and verified contributions—rather than tokens or wealth—the network is shielded from plutocracy and centralized failure. MBRDS empowers community-led infrastructure, sets transparent standards for relay quality, and enables the censorship-resistant communication needed for the next era of decentralized Internet platforms. *** ## Appendices - Peer Review and Panel Procedures - Relay Operator Quality Audit Protocols - Governance Dashboard Specification - Community Nomination and Credentialing Guide - Sample Quarterly Governance Report Template