Web3 is about Agency, not just Decentralization — Gavin Wood is Changing Our Understanding of the Future

Every year, the word “decentralization” has become a buzzword in the crypto industry. But according to Ethereum co-founder and Polkadot founder Gavin Wood, this terminology has gone beyond its original meaning and has become vague. In an interview with PBA Bali, Wood revealed the true foundation of Web3 — a concept that is bigger and deeper than simply sharing power.

The True Core of Web3: The Ability to Act as an Independent Actor

In 2014, Gavin Wood coined the term “Web3” while working on Ethereum as a smart contract platform. But his understanding extends beyond the technical infrastructure. “For me, Web3 is a combination of many technologies,” he said. The goal is to create a system where each individual truly has control over their destiny.

The key question to ask: Why should people join Web3 if they can already use Web2 banking apps, iPhone, or the Apple ecosystem? There is only one answer — agency, or the true ability to act as an independent actor in society.

“Web3 gives you real agency, making you the owner of your destiny,” Wood explained. This is the deepest philosophy behind the entire movement — not just technology, but a new way of thinking about oneself and society.

Going Beyond the Broad Meaning: Why “Decentralization” Has Become Empty

The word “decentralization” is excellent as a concept name, but over time, it has become diluted and often mistaken for “distribution.” A decade ago, a diagram appeared that separated three concepts: centralization, decentralization, and distribution. Many people think they are doing “decentralization,” but in that diagram, it was actually “distribution.”

Wood’s original understanding of “decentralization” is closer to “federalism” — like dividing the center into many parts and connecting them in a loose network. “So, ‘decentralization’ now is vague and weak. ‘Agency’ focuses on the individual, on a person’s ability to be an actor,” he explained.

Why is changing the terminology important? “Agency” has an exact definition in economics — simple, strong, non-controversial, and easy for both economists and ordinary people to understand.

From Technology to Heart: The Need for Every Entrepreneur

Even with the best technology, if people do not understand the “why” they should use it, no change will happen. That’s why the Polkadot ecosystem focuses on three steps:

First, individuals must truly understand the meaning of being an agent. Second, widespread education is needed to help aspiring agents reach the right mindset. Third, this mindset must be spread to the wider world, not just within the crypto space.

“Education is the path to freedom,” is the motto printed on Wood’s backpack. The Polkadot Blockchain Academy (PBA) is not just a training program — it is part of a larger vision to help people understand the world of Web3 and the concept of agency on a deeper level.

The Perfect Challenge: Money versus Values

In competition among various blockchain ecosystems, many projects use financial incentives to attract developers and users. But Polkadot’s strategy is different. “You don’t have to fight money with money. If there is competition, it should be ‘values’ versus ‘money’,” Wood said.

His message is simple but powerful: The current financial system is not beneficial for everyone. If willing to choose different values and trust the supporting technology, we have a solution. It’s not about giving more incentives, but about creating a different foundational system.

The Future of Polkadot and the Change We Seek

The most important project currently underway by Wood is the Proof of Personhood, expected to be released this year. This includes JAM (Judgement-as-a-Merkle-tree), a major technical upgrade for Polkadot. These will take the ecosystem to the next stage of development, where technology truly reaches ordinary users.

The future of PBA will also see changes: more content about agency, a deeper focus on products, broader discussions on how to reach ordinary users, and a more connected approach to economics, game theory, and cryptography — not just “how to immediately use an API.”

Conclusion: This Is Not Temporary, It Is a Mission

“We are not here just for a temporary dopamine hit. We are here because we believe that when enough people truly use these technologies, it will make the world better,” Wood concluded.

Web3 is not just technology. It is a new philosophy about how people should live — as agents with real control over their future. Decentralization is just one aspect of this larger visionary mission.