Hangwoo Lee
This paper examines the dynamics of centralization and decentralization of
Usenet newsgroups. In doing so, it considers the similarities and differences
between the organization of Usenet and the design principles for other self-organizing
and self-governing Common-Pool Resource (CPR) institutions. The rise and fall
of the Backbone Cabal and the birth of the "alt" hierarchy provides
insight into the early conflicts between the centralizing and decentralizing
processes of Usenet. Today's procedures for group creation in the big eight
hierarchies and in "alt" hierarchy and the Usenet Death Penalty
(UDP) show that earlier tensions are still extant.