How might the growth of decentralized technologies influence individual empowerment and the structure of societal governance?

ANSWER: Decentralized technologies can empower individuals by enabling more control over personal data and disintermediating traditional gatekeepers. They facilitate peer-to-peer interactions, reducing reliance on central authorities and potentially making systems more resistant to censorship and corruption. This shift could lead to a more participatory governance model where decisions are made collectively and transparently, leveraging blockchain and distributed ledgers. However, challenges in scalability, accessibility, and regulation must be addressed to ensure equitable benefits and societal restructuring.