[uniformlyrandom]

Google docs is: 1. Free. 2. Does not require any infrastructure investment. 3. Has built-in access management system. 4. Easy to collaborate in. 5. Hosted on a 3rd party that is highly unlikely to intervene.

> put that Web page at a Google Docs URL (which, again, you don't control)

What is the alternative? Bring up an AS, hook it up to a couple of dark fibers, and host it off your battery and solar panel? Because you do not control your ISP, hosting provider or power provider either. You barely control the hardware you bought.

You independence depends on benevolence of other players, and Google is most likely to remain benevolent in this case.

[neilv]

Reasonable degree of control. Being able to put up a Web page at a domain name registered to you is just the beginning of tablestakes in this business.

[juunpp]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned blockchain.