Making Sense of Web3 and Crypto
This project provides introductions to key concepts and ideas related to web3, along with in-depth exploration of the claims for its social and economic impact.
The claims made for web3 (and crypto) are bold and polarizing – from “it will revolutionize governance” to “it’s a complete waste of time”. Making sense of these claims is important so that we can make good decisions about where we devote our energy – particularly for those of us involved in social change.
Moreover, this is a topic that speaks to deep-seated aspirations for social and economic change. Exploring those aspirations is important as well as the methods by which they can be realized – whether by web3 or not.
Our approach is distinct in a few respects. First, we are an open, collaborative project. Second, we seek to combine open-minded and open-hearted inquiry with rigorous analysis.
Concretely, our approach starts with collecting and steel-manning the key claims made for web3 through conscious, critical and open dialog with a diverse set of experts. Next, we tease out the underlying hypotheses and assumptions and engage in rigorous and constructive critique. Finally, we look at the overall aspirations of the web3 movement and examine how these might be achieved, whether through improvements to blockchain-based approaches or by other means.
A project of Life Itself Labs & collaborators.
Publications
- Making Sense of Crypto and Web3 [website & online guide]
Background
Read more about the project:
- Making Sense of Web3 & Crypto - 'About' page
- Announce post (16 March 2022)