I have to downplay part of your threats, at the risk of sounding sheelplishly naive: but access to water and electricity is already under the control of "the administrators", and has pretty much forever. Even in the case it's delivered as a "public" service, the "administrators" were somehow expecting you to pay some sort of bills.
However, although I know some people get their water and electricity shut down, that's still regarded as extreme, and law tends to make it harder and harder over time.
The Internet itself (once a luxury, less than two decades ago) is slowly becoming considered as a "necessity" that should not be shut down. [1]
I understand your point that software is increasingly making dystopia technologically possible, and that geeks should beware how they use their skill - but I wonder how surprising and underrated law and social norms can be as counter-forces.
(Also, it made me smile to see UBI in the list of "evils" that are now "fashionable" to bash on HN. ;) )
However, although I know some people get their water and electricity shut down, that's still regarded as extreme, and law tends to make it harder and harder over time.
The Internet itself (once a luxury, less than two decades ago) is slowly becoming considered as a "necessity" that should not be shut down. [1]
I understand your point that software is increasingly making dystopia technologically possible, and that geeks should beware how they use their skill - but I wonder how surprising and underrated law and social norms can be as counter-forces.
(Also, it made me smile to see UBI in the list of "evils" that are now "fashionable" to bash on HN. ;) )
[1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_Internet_access#Ensur...