Blockchain, Viable Testing Ground for Utopian Ideas
In London, Eric Posner and Glen Weyl wrote a book proposing new ideas for solving societal problems. They have had many discussions with influential individuals in various countries, including combining efforts with Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum and one of the most influential entrepreneurs in the blockchain space. This partnership shows how Weyl’s ideas can be implemented in today’s world, even if not on a large scale.
New Means of Voting
Posner and Weyl’s thinking behind the book tackles various hot-button issues such as antitrust regulation, immigration, and data privacy. One of the most radical proposals they make is the concept of quadratic voting, where citizens could buy additional votes on important societal issues using real money. This system would essentially level the playing field and limit the influence of those simply trying to hoard votes. Weyl believes this could prevent racists from overwhelming non-racist individuals in key decisions.
Partnership with Vitalik Buterin
Weyl first caught the attention of Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, with a 20-page-long comment. The two of them have since teamed up, even co-authoring a manifesto to explore ways to harness technology and markets to decentralize power. This work has the potential to revolutionize the blockchain community, as the platform has been grappling with governance issues since its inception. The partnership with Buterin represents a crucial step towards implementing Weyl’s ideas in the real world.
Interest from Political and Policy-making Circles
Posner and Weyl’s ideas are attracting attention from various political and policy-making circles. There is interest in exploring how these ideas could be applied in fields such as antitrust regulation and data protection. While the full implementation of Weyl’s blueprint may not happen anytime soon, there is still significant interest in testing out these ideas in the real world.
Blockchain as an Ideal Testing Ground
The blockchain community, particularly Ethereum, may serve as a viable testing ground for Weyl’s utopian ideas. Originally conceived as a means of exchanging virtual money, Ethereum has grown to be an experiment in economic design. However, it is currently lacking in the governance department. The partnership with Buterin presents a unique opportunity to apply Weyl’s ideas in a practical and influential setting.
Conclusion
Weyl’s ideas may have seemed unattainable in the past, but with his partnership with Vitalik Buterin and growing interest from political and policy-making circles, these ideas are inching closer to practical application. The blockchain community, in particular, may serve as a crucial platform for realizing Weyl’s utopian ideals.
