I've heard various arguments for this, none of which seemed that convincing. Centralized power generation seems like one of the great successes of the 20th century. What do you think the advantages of decentralization are?

> Centralized power generation seems like one of the great successes of the 20th century.

From the point of view of large producers and investors, sure. Tesla's idea of decentralized power was viewed as pie-in-the-sky by his benefactor, JP Morgan.

I wouldn't call nuclear power a success story.

> the age of increasing decentralization

While I'd love to see more decentralization, that's not really what's happening, is it? Urbanization is AFAIK stronger than ever, fewer grow their own food (or even have the ability to do so), institutions are getting more centralized, not less...?

We're even breaking the Internet, giving people asymmetric connections forcing them to depend on centralized services -- so what exactly are we decentralizing?

> what exactly are we decentralizing?

In another generation or two, people will have the ability to design and print their own circuit boards. Technology itself is becoming decentralized which will have the longterm effect of decentralizing society.

Less than 200 years ago, railroads were the height of technological achievement and the most powerful centralizing force in society, industry and government.