Very interesting! How does an OS with that level of integration with networked computers handle security? Or does it assume every computer on the network is altruistic?

This is my Plan 9 knowledge weak spot lol. As I understand it, this is how it works: in the case of Plan 9 systems, there is a central authentication server for each "security domain" which holds details on users and their capabilities. When you log into any system (local or remote) or otherwise use any system's resources, that system will check with that "auth" server to make sure you have the correct credentials and capabilities. There is a somewhat old paper here if you want to read more: http://doc.cat-v.org/plan_9/4th_edition/papers/auth

Ideally, we would build some kind of distributed cryptographic store or something rather than a centralized authentication server which is sounding like a really interesting project lol

Also I'd love to get your thoughts on the chip and semiconductor capabilities that China was forced to develop because of the sanctions. I don't know much about it but the Loongson processors look cool. Maybe something like it or an open RISC-V based design will start to upend the Intel/AMD duopoly

I hope so! As far as I know, most of the work in China being done isn't that big of a deviation from the western orthodoxy (kind of similar to the situation in the late USSR but much further along and with more home-grown designs, of course) but I'm glad to see some new players on the field. Sadly, most of that work will probably be unavailable to us in the west, at least until the current political situation is over. Although, personally, I would love to get my hands on some of the Russian-origin "Elbrus" and SPARC designs.