Hierarchy and Protocol

Protocol is a totalizing control apparatus that guides both the technical and political formation of computer networks, biological systems and other media. Put simply, protocols are all the conventional rules and standards that govern relationships within networks. Each nodes in the network act based upon the protocols embedded onto themselves. Once the protocol is ignored, it is impossible to maintain the network since the network is formed by nodes and connecting edges and the behavior of connection and communication is based upon the promised protocols.

In this way, the idea of hierarchy is replaced by the protocol. Instead of obeying one directional command, the organizational behavior of network is decided based upon the negotiated protocols. In that sense, the network as a system is more adaptable to the rapid change, since the behavior inside of the network is always negotiable. At the same time, it can be more effective, because the protocol is universal value and had to be followed to maintain the life of the network. Meanwhile, the idea of hierarchy is being challenged.

Protocol, the rule set of the network is either top down or bottom up organizational power. Yet, protocol and power are strongly related in a sense that the greater the network is, the stronger or the greater the number of control.

Then what would resistance in the network would look like? If there's control, there should be resistance, and the distributed networking system does not prevent the resistance. In the example of internet, the computer viruses or hacker communities can be viewed as a resistance for the status quo or continuation of the network.

However, if networks is not only technical, but also real-time, dynamic and living, then it would make sense to think that the resistance is also living, means that the intention or force of resistance can be adaptable as much as how network is.

The mixing between live control and resistance, the protocol and counter protocol mutate to achieve the state of bigger "hypertropic" state. The protocol itself, therefore, has to be flexible and robust, and need to be restarted often. In the end, the protocoligical control will substitute the idea of hierarchical control, and what matters is not only the protocol itself, but the effect created by the protocols.

Reference: Protocol, Control and Networks by Galloway and Thacker.