Bitcoin: The Financial Singularity with Austin Hill
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SHOW DESCRIPTION
Location: New York
Date: Wednesday 8th December
Company: Former CEO of Blockstream
Role: Entrepreneur, VC & Cypherpunk
It is a common refrain that we are living in unprecedented times. Yet, the most inconceivable changes to society are ahead of us. A confluence of exponential forces could see our species either flourish or wither. The changes that these forces will bring are fast approaching.
A technological singularity is predicted to occur in a generation: innovations will bring rapid change that is both bewildering and uncontrollable. These technologies will become increasingly cheaper and ubiquitous such that the risk profiles associated with misuse will grow significantly.
At the same time, we risk seeing the traditional financial systems shatter as exponential growth in debt finally becomes unsustainable and deflationary pressures finally dominate to destroy traditional credit systems.
Bitcoin can’t solve all these problems, but it is a central part of the toolbox of solutions.
In the second of two interviews, I talk to Austin Hill, the entrepreneur, cypherpunk & venture capitalist. We discuss the singularity and vulnerable world hypothesis, how technology can strengthen totalitarianism and the role of Bitcoin in harm reduction.
TIMESTAMPS
00:03:51: Introductions
00:04:35: The Schiffs
00:07:42: The singularity explained
00:09:21: Vulnerable World Hypothesis
00:14:39: Reducing the threat profile
00:16:30: Social media governance
00:18:25: Technology and immigration
00:21:40: Grameen finance model
00:28:34: China and technology
00:40:19: Policing technology and positive storytelling
00:43:36: Fresh approach to drug policy
00:47:14: Service-based model for future tech
00:56:45: The role of Bitcoin in governance
01:03:50: The Hypothesis solutions and re-education
01:09:15: Final comments
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SHOW NOTES
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Mentioned in the interview:
Jeff Booth - We are in fold 34: How exponentiality will change our understanding of economics
China’s Mining Crackdown ‘a Trillion-Dollar Mistake’ Says Saylor
Rob Reid: How synthetic biology could wipe out humanity - TED Talk
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)
Petra Raises Series A Funding to Bore Through the World’s Hardest Rocks for Utilities
Nick Bostrum: How civilization could destroy itself and 4 ways we could prevent it - TED Talk
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