The web is public. Discord is a controlled server with all manner of implementable policies and de facto identity verification (demanding a real cell phone number to mandatory mfa if you want it to keep your account)

Discord is a huge step backwards in terms of open access. This probably reflects Stephensons politics and desire to control who and how gets these papers.

Often the revolutionary(Stephenson) is just as misguided, controlling, and reactionary as the status quo (meta/Facebook).

I don’t know who create utopia for us but it’s probably not egotistical millionaire middle aged sci fi authors without real cs degrees and experience in the industry.