How a noob started learning about blockchain technology
I’m far from a blockchain expert, but I’m learning. I’ve learned a ton over the past couple of months. I’m particularly interested in how blockchain technology will affect how we as a society fund innovative ideas and businesses. I’ve been focused on how funding and governance would work in blockchain projects compared to existing, more centralized methods like venture capital. I struggled with where to start, but in hindsight I think Explain Bitcoin Like I’m Five was one of the best places to get going if you’re also starting from level 1. Once you’re done with that, I think Thoughts on Tokens is level 2.
Digging into the primary texts for Bitcoin and Ethereum were also pretty helpful to get some baseline knowledge of how it all began and how it has developed: Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System, Ethereum White Paper. For funding and governance it’s also sometimes good to read what the lawyers have to say [quick reminder this is coming from a future lawyer]. The SAFT Project is pretty controversial but reading that and Professor Aaron Wright’s response gave some good context to the regulatory issues blockchain tokens can face.
Given my interest in how venture capital fits in, Is Buying Tokens the new Venture Capital gives good context to how investing in blockchain projects compares to venture capital both in economics and control. And lastly, Fred Ehrsam’s recent essay, Blockchain Governance: Programming Our Future looks at how Blockchain governance has, will, and could develop. Venture capital is about economics and control, so if you’re also interested in learning about blockchain from this lens, these two articles are helpful.
By the way, there is a lot of new vocabulary here. I didn’t find it super helpful to read through a glossary beginning to end, but it’s great as a reference. I aggregated a bunch of definitions form across the interwebs in this spreadsheet.
You still won’t be an expert if you read this stuff but you’ll know a lot more than before.
