> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://whitepaper.nextearth.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://whitepaper.nextearth.io/chapter-i/the-incentive-paradox.md).

# The Incentive Paradox

Social media was invented to connect people over large distances. The end result is undeniably more divided and anger than ever before. Economics call this a *perverse incentive* or *the cobra effect*. When a system designed to solve a problem only worsens the situation.

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Internet entrepreneurs claim that they have been marching towards a brighter, greater future for the last 20 years, but most attempts - social media or the gig economy to name a few - have achieved the exact opposite, while extracting billions of dollars of value from digital users. Startups and corporations pursuing higher shareholder value had misaligned interests from their users. This *Incentive Paradox* is the key to creating the Metaverse. 

A new economic contract is required between digital users that allows service providers to thrive while empowering consumers with true digital ownership and governance.<br>