Why Radia Perlman, the Internet’s Mother, Calls Blockchain a Marketing Gimmick

Lead: Radia Perlman says that today’s decentralized infrastructure is still unstable and continues to rely on centralized foundations.

Radia Perlman, born in 1951, invented the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) while working at DEC. STP is a network protocol that builds a loop‑free logical topology for Ethernet, preventing bridge loops and broadcast storms, and allowing backup links for fault tolerance.

STP is a protocol for constructing a loop‑free logical topology in Ethernet networks, preventing bridge loops and broadcast radiation while enabling backup links for fault tolerance. — Wikipedia

At a recent blockchain international symposium in Singapore, Perlman emphasized her support for centralized network infrastructure. She argued that many prevailing views glorify decentralization while overlooking the practical problems of decentralized technologies.

She described blockchain as a marketing buzzword that originated from Bitcoin’s technology stack, noting that hype drives startups to claim blockchain relevance even when the connection is tenuous.

Using a piano analogy, she said, “I think the piano is great, but I would never use it as public transportation; every tool has its proper use.”

Perlman explained that centralized systems do not necessarily create single points of failure; data stored in public clouds is replicated across many locations, reducing loss risk. Centralization also provides clear accountability—when problems arise, a responsible party can be identified, and most applications need someone to manage and resolve issues.

She expressed skepticism about Bitcoin’s practical uses, questioning what one would actually purchase with it and who could be held accountable if something goes wrong, concluding that centralization is often the preferred model.

According to Perlman, blockchain is less a genuine technology and more a fashionable marketing term, often harder to use than traditional database systems and offering no substantial advantage in most scenarios.

She admitted surprise at being involved in blockchain discussions, noting that most of her ideas are actually anti‑blockchain and that she does not consider it a foundational technology for engineers.

Perlman’s spanning‑tree algorithm, published in 1985, became the basis for bridge operation and was later incorporated into modern Ethernet standards such as 802.1w, paving the way for large‑scale cloud protocols.

Often called the “mother of the Internet,” she modestly downplays the title. She acknowledges that while the algorithm is not simple, its elegance lies in its simplicity and practicality.

When asked about the internet’s impact, she reflected that what once seemed miraculous now feels like the end of civilization. She warned that AI‑driven algorithms could exacerbate polarization and enable extremist connections.

Perlman admitted she has not yet found a solution to today’s internet challenges, suggesting that fixing the current network will be the task of the next generation.

In lectures to university students, she shares a sober outlook, encouraging them to recognize the limitations of current technologies while remaining hopeful for future improvements.