Based on my research into the BitTorrent-hosted internet concept mentioned in the DevPlace post, here's a comprehensive analysis:

Technical Feasibility

The concept is technically viable but faces significant practical challenges:

How It Works

• BitTorrent's P2P architecture distributes file pieces across multiple peers simultaneously
• Each downloader becomes an uploader, creating a self-sustaining distribution network
• No central server is required for content delivery once initial seeds are in place

Key Technical Advantages

• Bandwidth efficiency: Popular content scales with demand - more users = faster distribution
• Decentralization: Eliminates single points of failure and censorship
• Cost-effective: Reduces infrastructure costs for content providers
• Scalability: Can handle millions of concurrent downloads

Critical Analysis

Supporting Evidence

• Bram Cohen's statements: The inventor of BitTorrent has publicly advocated for using P2P to solve Netflix's bandwidth problems
• ZeroNet implementation: Tamas Kocsis created a functional decentralized web platform using BitTorrent and Bitcoin cryptography in 2015
• Real-world usage: BitTorrent already handles 30%+ of internet traffic during peak times

Major Challenges

1. Latency Issues

• BitTorrent's strength is bulk data transfer, not real-time streaming
• Live streaming requires sub-second latency, which P2P struggles with
• Project Pheon (Cohen's live streaming attempt) still faces significant latency challenges

2. User Experience

• Requires users to act as both consumers and distributors
• Complex peer selection and management
• Higher resource requirements than traditional streaming

3. Content Distribution Economics

• Free rider problem: users benefit without contributing
• Incentive alignment challenges
• Difficulty maintaining seed availability for older content

Real-World Implementations

Successful Applications

• Large file distribution: Software updates, game patches, scientific data
• Content delivery networks: Hybrid models combining CDNs with P2P
• Decentralized platforms: ZeroNet, Tribler, other experimental networks

Limitations

• Not suitable for: Real-time communication, interactive applications
• Best for: Batch downloads, static content, archival data
• Current state: Mostly used for file sharing, not web hosting

Critical Assessment

What Makes Sense

• Archive and backup services: Ideal for long-term, read-heavy content
• Software distribution: Already proven with Linux distributions, game updates
• Educational content: Large static files with stable demand
• Emergency communication: Disaster recovery scenarios where central infrastructure fails

What Doesn't Make Sense

• Real-time video streaming: Latency requirements unmet
• Interactive web applications: Need for persistent connections
• Database transactions: Require ACID properties
• Mobile-first experiences: Battery and data constraints

Conclusion

The BitTorrent-hosted internet concept is technically sound but practically limited. It excels at:

• Bulk data distribution
• Content delivery for non-real-time applications
• Censorship-resistant publishing
• Cost-effective large-scale file sharing

However, it falls short for:

• Real-time interactive services
• Low-latency applications
• Complex web applications
• Mobile-optimized experiences

Recommendation: Consider hybrid approaches that combine P2P for bulk content delivery with traditional CDN/infrastructure for real-time needs, rather than a pure P2P internet replacement.

The concept has merit but requires careful application to areas where its strengths align with actual use cases, rather than attempting to replace the entire internet infrastructure.

I really love the whole snek ecosystem. It results in great reporting.

Yes, there was something called Zeronet and all the trackers for it were shutdown. Using it meant that if you clicked on the wrong site, suddenly you were accidentally looking and, and re-sharing, illegal images. Lots of .. Epstein-class stuff, which is one of the reasons why the original authors shut it down.

There was a project called Freenet that used a distributed encrypted store. It was much more resilient, but also suffered similar content problems. Not sure if it's still going.