There is no way you could have forseen the future we are in. I apologise if my comment appears as having caustic tone. (But the guy in the atrium really does sound like a sleazebag!)

If you really care about the issue of internet privacy perhaps you could donate the proceeds of the NFT sale to the EFF.

Thanks for saying that. I think the situation is similar for Mark Zuckerberg, although on a vastly more huge scale for him personally. There is no way he understood at the beginning that his creation was going to play a role in endangering our democracy. What happens is that you just have an exciting idea that seems like it might be able to do some good and make you some money, but then over time all the unforeseen and/or unforeseeable implications unfold. It's like opening pandora's box and having all this crazy stuff unexpectedly fly out.

I do care about internet privacy, but I also care about my health and old age. My wife had to give up her career due to an extreme case of Lyme disease (insurance didn't cover her long-term treatment), and has had cancer; and I've had cancer 3 times including 3 major surgeries, radiation etc. I'd like an NFT to make some money that will lower our risks of medical expenses putting us out on the street if things get extremely bad medically.

I must admit that I'm surprised that HN apparently has virtually no interest in this. Maybe I need a better title? I don't really get it. If I was reading this story from someone on HN, I'd think it was interesting!

The question I have is what does one do once the Pandora's Box is open. Some things are more important than money and attention. Zuckerberg, who claims he is in control, lacks the character to do the right thing.

Programmers have an obsession with licenses but how many actually understand licensing (not many, IME), and how often do we see a programmer try to enforce a license (rarely). Certain uses of software, e.g., to destroy privacy, can be limited in the license grant.

You should try re-submitting at a different time. Submitting a link to the patent itself, or the story of the current patent litigation, might be interesting.

I must admit I do kind of agree with you about Zuck. He has SO much money that he has absolutely no personal worries about his ability to live a comfortable life. I believe that he should really, really dedicate his work now toward enabling facebook to be a help to democracies rather than a threat. It is NOT an easy task. It is FAR harder than creating FB in the first place. But he could try. He certainly has the resources.

Thanks for the suggestions about how to relaunch the story. I may try one of your suggestions or come up with another idea along the same lines.