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:

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This episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain and Meher Roy. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/252