V: The medical, financial, and government systems must be Open Source, otherwise humanity will fall into the trap of digital surveillance.

Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin published a significant article, calling for a global rethink of the direction of digital infrastructure construction, warning that closed systems are eroding human freedom and security. He proposed an ambitious vision: to establish fully open source and verifiable infrastructure in critical areas such as healthcare, finance, and public governance, to combat the rising trend of digital authoritarianism. This call has sparked widespread discussion among the tech community and policymakers.

####Key Choices in Digital Infrastructure: Open Source or Closed?

"The civilizations that benefit the most from the new wave of technology are not those that consume technology, but those that create technology," Buterin pointed out in his latest blog post. He emphasized that as digital systems penetrate deeply into every aspect of society, we are facing a historic crossroads: either accept closed systems constructed and controlled by centralized companies, or actively build alternatives that are open, transparent, and verifiable by end users.

Technical expert Sarah Chen commented: "What Vitalik proposed is not just a technical issue, but a fundamental topic concerning social structure and power distribution. When our medical records, financial transactions, and voting systems rely on unreviewable black boxes, we are effectively handing over the basic functions of social operation to a few entities to control."

####Healthcare: The Open Revolution from Vaccines to Smart Devices

(Source: The Economist)

Buterin is particularly concerned about the openness of medical technology. He pointed out that proprietary medical technologies not only restrict access but may also lead to dangerous data monopolies and user surveillance. For example, the global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines was hindered by closed production and communication systems, resulting in a serious trust crisis and uneven distribution.

"Looking at the vaccine coverage map from 2021 to 2023 clearly shows the problem," responded a public health expert, "high-income countries were the first to receive vaccines, while low-income regions were forced to wait. This inequality partly stems from proprietary technology and closed supply chains."

Buterin praised open source medical initiatives like PopVax, which have significantly reduced costs and enhanced transparency through open processes. He further warned that with the rise of smartwatches and health monitoring devices, we may face unprecedented risks of personal health data surveillance if these systems remain closed.

####Financial System: How Blockchain Redefines Efficiency and Trust

In the financial sector, Buterin made a thought-provoking comparison: signing a cryptocurrency transaction takes only five seconds, while sending a signed legal document overseas takes half an hour and costs $119. This stark contrast highlights the efficiency advantage of open systems over traditional closed systems.

"Cryptowallets and blockchain-based systems have demonstrated how open, verifiable infrastructure can enhance efficiency," Buterin pointed out, "This is not just about cost and time, but about establishing a financial system that does not rely on trust in intermediaries."

Financial technology expert Michael Wong commented, "Every layer of the traditional financial system is an opaque black box, from the risk assessment algorithms of banks to cross-border payment networks. Blockchain technology offers a new paradigm that allows every participant to verify the integrity of the system."

Buterin emphasized that innovations such as multi-signature wallets and hardware wallets are successful examples of open, verifiable systems in practical applications. They provide users with unprecedented financial security by decentralizing risk and enhancing transparency.

####Public Governance: The Open Source Future of Voting Systems

In the field of public governance, Buterin is particularly concerned about the security and transparency of electronic voting systems. He pointed out that the skepticism surrounding electronic voting machines for decades stems from their use of proprietary "black box" software, which cannot win public trust due to its lack of transparency.

"When election results are determined by unreviewable software, it is difficult to convince dissenting groups to accept the results, even if they are correct," said an election security expert. "Open Source, verifiable voting systems are not only technically more secure, but also more persuasive on a social level."

Buterin calls for the establishment of secure, open hardware and software infrastructure for critical public systems. He believes that democratic processes can only gain true trust when citizens are able to personally verify the integrity of the system.

####Privacy and Openness: A Contradictory Dual Goal

As a long-time advocate for privacy, Buterin also emphasized the importance of privacy protection in his article. In April of this year, he stated that privacy must be a core design goal and pointed out that blind trust in transparency and benevolent leadership is outdated.

"Openness and privacy protection are not contradictory," explained data ethicist Lisa Zhang. "A truly open system should allow users to control their own data while maintaining the transparency of protocols and code. Cryptographic techniques such as zero-knowledge proofs are key to achieving this balance."

Buterin also announced Ethereum's privacy roadmap, emphasizing the short-term changes to the underlying protocols and ecosystem needed to ensure better user privacy. He believes that true privacy protection must be built on verifiable technological foundations, rather than relying on the promises of service providers.

####Countering Global Balkanization: The Geopolitical Significance of Open Systems

In the context of escalating geopolitical tensions, Buterin's call carries special significance. "Openness and verifiability can counter global balkanization," he noted in the article, suggesting that open technical standards can transcend borders and promote global cooperation rather than division.

International relations scholar Robert Chen commented, "As countries build their own digital walls and technological islands, open source infrastructure offers a different path. It can become a form of digital diplomacy, creating common standards and shared values."

Buterin's vision depicts a global system composed of verifiable devices that are not controlled by a single nation or company, but rather serve the common good of all humanity. This vision is highly consistent with the core idea of blockchain technology: to establish a global collaborative network that operates without trust and without permission.

####Realizing the Vision: Challenges from Concept to Practice

Despite Buterin's inspiring vision, there are still many challenges from concept to practice. Factors such as technical complexity, resistance from vested interests, regulatory uncertainty, and user habits can all hinder the widespread adoption of open systems.

"Changing entrenched systems requires time, resources, and political will," said technology policy expert David Wang. "But history shows that open standards often prevail over closed systems in the end, as they can innovate more quickly and build broader community support."

Buterin's appeal is not only a challenge to the tech community but also an invitation to policymakers, healthcare professionals, financial institutions, and civil society to join in shaping a more open and transparent digital future.

"By default, we might end up with digital computers built and operated by centralized companies," Buterin warned, "but we can try to find better alternatives." This warning and hopeful message may be the voice we need to listen to the most in this digital age.