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Ralph Merkle: Revolutionizing Democracy Using DAOs

Episode Summary

Legendary scientist and cryptography pioneer Ralph Merkle joined us to discuss his recent paper on DAOs. Merkle examined how the voting mechanisms in today's democracies are flawed and how a decentralized, transparent DAO making decisions using prediction markets could create more efficient democratic systems.

Episode Notes

Legendary scientist and cryptography pioneer Ralph Merkle joined us to discuss his recent paper on DAOs. Merkle examined how the voting mechanisms in today’s democracies are flawed and how a decentralized, transparent DAO making decisions using prediction markets could create more efficient democratic systems.

Topics covered in this episode:

• Merkle proofs, Merkle Roots and his early forays into cryptography
• Blockchains as living organisms
• Why DAOs will be subject to a Darwinian evolutionary process
• Why voting is flawed and we need new governance methods to save democracy
• The concept of a DAO democracy
• How prediction markets and futarchy would help govern a DAO democracy

Episode links:

• Ralph Merkle DAO Democracy Paper [PDF]
• Ralph Merkle's Homepage
• Ralph Merkle's Wikipedia page
• EB98 - Robin Hanson: Futarchy, Prediction Markets
• Tim Urban: Why Cryonics Makes Sense
• Alcor - Life Extension Foundation

This episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain and Meher Roy. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/141