Introduction to Blockchain technology, cryptocurrencies – including Bitcoin, Ethers and more

Blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies continue to awe and inspire me.

Looking to the future with large amounts of personal data going through our fridge and other devices, blockchain tech could provide the means to protect our individual privacy.

As the internet removes ‘middle men’, blockchain could revolutionise the financial industry and bring greater access to finances for the ‘unbanked’ people of the world.

And wouldn’t it be wonderful to do a Google search or check a social media site without advertising… or be paid to view ads that are tailored to you? 

What are Blockchain tech, cryptocurrencies, digital tokens, digital money, and digital assets?

Find a few hours to learn about what interests and is more relevant to you. Scroll to the heading below that interests you the most and click the links or skip to the YouTube playlist and listen or watch.

A great start is reading the first link under each heading.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

1. Blockchain technology – the introduction

Also these links:

  • MIT’s 2 min Blockchain explainer.
  • 4 hour read or listen to get up to speed on the main aspects (4 hours goes quickly when you listen in between other activities) by master Andreas Antonopoulos~
    “After watching and reading loads of bitcoin, blockchain, cryptocurrency, ethereum talks and posts, I’ve found “The Internet of Money” book written by Andreas M. Antonopoulos the quickest, most engaging listen. It’ll take you from not understanding to really clever, easy-to-comprehend ideas.”
  • What’s in store for 2018.
  • This Blockchain documentary with world leaders’ interviews – 30 mins well spent.
  • Satoshi’s original Bitcoin paper is definitely worth reading – even the Introduction on the first page as it explains the role of blockchain / cryptocurrency and going beyond third party trusted sources. Especially important to read if you are a consultant advising clients.
  • What is Blockchain.
  • How to explain blockchains and cryptocurrencies to your friends and family.
  • Why Bitcoin matters (NYTimes).
  • This Forbes podcast: “The blockchain is about to transform every trust-based interaction of our lives, from financial services to identity, from health care to our Internet of Things devices. In this podcast, host Laura Shin talks with industry pioneers across tech, financial services, health care, government and other sectors about how the blockchain and fintech will open up new opportunities for incumbents, startups and everyday people to interact more efficiently, directly and globally.”
  • Andreas on the future of Bitcoin
    “Bitcoin will be attacked through its mining, the network, legally, and every other possible way. If you don’t think Bitcoin is going to be attacked, you’ve misunderstood what this is about. You don’t go and poke a $20 trillion industry and go, “Hey, we’re going to disrupt you!” You can’t just wait for it to roll over.”
  • Early, simple and clear to understand videos from top investors, leaders and venture capitalists (all who explain the tech and the macro view simply): Introduction to blockchain technology by Mike Hearn in 2012,  Chamath Palihapitiya in 2014 and Marc Andreessen and Balaji Srinivasan in 2014.

2. Cryptocurrencies

Learn more about cryptocurrencies using these links:

  • Introduction to Cryptocurrencies by the master, Nick Szabo [Tim Ferriss podcast, 2.5 hours] This is a great introduction. It’s co-presented with one of my favourite thinkers in the world – Naval Ravikant – who kindly simplifies complex topics as they arise.
  • Cryptoassets – [11 hours listen] easy to follow calculations on working out the potential Bitcoin price (and other assets’ price) and great blockchain & new digital assets insights by Chris Burniske & Jack Tatar. Clearly explains uses and provides useful distinctions between currencies, tokens and assets.
  • Want to understand Bitcoin, Ethereum and other coins? This YouTube channel has fast and clear introductory videos.
  • Why crypto tokens matter” on the A16z podcast.
  • The role of cryptocurrencies presented at Ethereal Summit 2017. I highly recommend watching this full video. The first 4 minutes highlight where banking is headed, how online currencies could become the backbone to improve many systems in the world, and how they’re also not a ‘golden chalice’. At 10:30 there’s mention of how through the blockchain you can pay for your coffee at a cafe and also directly tip the coffee farmer a very small amount without fees on either side. There are incredible supply chain opportunities as the supporting tech comes to be and great opportunities in developing countries too.
  • A beginner’s guide to Ethereum.
  • Ethereum is the Forefront of Digital Currency.
  • Current prices of cryptocurrencies and upcoming ICO’s / new tokens are listed here and here.
  • If you’re thinking of investing in Ethereum and aren’t sure where to start, this could inform you. It could also be a bit too heavy on words such as “exchanges”. If so, read below this amazing view…”…the crypto sector is much more than Bitcoin, fintech, trading and crypto currencies — it’s about building a better, decentralized, (digital) world. By using the term “decentralization” I refer to a process of redistributing functions, people, powers or things away from a central authority. The problem with centralized systems is that they lack transparency, allow for single points of failure, censorship, abuse of power and inefficiencies.” Enjoy the map.
  • Keep up to date with cryptocurrencies – especially good to read if you’re investing in BTC, ETH etc.
  • A more advanced watch or listen on the wider context on the future of cryptocurrencies and finance is Brian Armstrong at Token Summit.
  • How to Get a Job in Crypto (by AngelList).

3. Blockchain technology – going a bit further

  • How blockchains could change the world by McKinsey & co.“The blockchain is …a platform for truth and it’s a platform for trust. The implications are staggering, not just for the financial-services industry but also right across virtually every aspect of society.”
  • “A tipping point could be reached where people will realize ‘that data belongs to me.’” SirTim Berners-Lee
  • Examples of Blockchain uses beyond money / currency.“What if you opened Spotify and paid the artist directly?”

    “Lots of great things have happened, but overall the benefits of the digital age have been asymmetrical. For example, we have this great asset of data that’s been created by us, and yet we don’t get to keep it. It’s owned by a tiny handful”

Easy Watching.

Here’s a YouTube playlist to make things even easier. It includes links above and a few more. I plan to keep adding top videos to it.

Great podcasts

12+ best podcast episodes on the cryptocurrency / blockchain / token / ICO / bitcoin economy (many of these are also listed above). 

Example startups

More blockchain reading is here.

It’s all so fascinating. I’ll be so interested to hear your point of view on it.

Sam

Voicetech 🙌 👄 👌 #32

True Shared Economy

WOW! Airbnb is about to turn 9. A great success and service.

They’ve still a way to go though to be a true “shared economy” example as their balance is still skewed towards the guest versus a balance with the property host.

As Airbnb drives for more hosts there’s greater supply of properties and the economies drive prices down. This leads hosts to compete on price and quite possibly opt-out of long term involvement.

The term ‘shared’ economy is about contribution from all players. After staying at a home, Airbnb’s questionnaire is just like a hotel’s. Airbnb has the opportunity to influence behaviour internationally with questions such as:

  • When leaving the host’s home did you leave something that’d delight the next guest?
  • What did you contribute to the home or host for the privilege of staying in their home?

If you’re designing new organisational systems, I imagine you’re putting in place a way to regularly seek and add shared value over time.

Here comes privacy.

As blockchains and other tech comes along to bring about greater individuals’ privacy, there’ll be more exposés on corporations selling data without customers’ full understanding. Quite possibly shared economy darlings such as Airbnb will be in the spotlight.

This gives more insight (watch the first 47 seconds).

#Voicetech

Future Employment

Are you looking unique online? Is your global proposition and bio clear on online sites?

These guys are showing their style via Medium and LinkedIn:

Be inspired to stand out online through this insight.

“think like a supermodel if you want to win from the gig economy”

 

Favourite reads & listens

  • True pop up houses. Endless possibilities…
    [innovation, construction, tech, minimalism]
  • Again Apple shows a humane approach at their new office.
    [Apple, Future of Work]

“…we have lost confidence in offices altogether as nomadic workers huddle in cafés and in their own bedrooms.”

  • It’s good to be laughed at.
    [leadership, VC, Fred Wilson]
  • Wonderful to see a successful Aussie (Qld) entrepreneur in the Blockchain space.
    [fast innovation, ledgers, luxury goods]
  • Engaging overview of business trends.
    [business strategy, future, tech]
  • Imagine computer to computer regulations.
    [Vinay Gupta, Internet of Agreements, future web]
  • Future of work“[your] GigBot will talk to your alarm clock; $10 or $10,000, just name the price that would tempt you from your lie-in.”
  • I’m really enjoying Spotify’s radios. Choose your favourite song and click radio – works well. (I’m not missing Rdio so much now!)

 

For your CEO and senior leaders

“We will definitely see a range of steady, incremental improvements in everyday AI. Online product recommendations will get better, your phone or car will understand your voice increasingly well and your vacuum cleaner robot won’t get stuck as often.” 

“Instead of replacing jobs, our overall quality of life will go up. For example, right now few people can afford a personal assistant, or a full-time life coach. In the near future, we’ll all have (a virtual) one!

“It’s likely that a significant fraction of jobs will be under threat over the coming decade. It’s important to note that this won’t necessarily be divided by blue-collar versus white-collar, but rather by which occupations are easily automatable.”

Great online presence

  • Innocent again come up with a cracker of a headline.
  • The extended list is here and here.

Writing these emails continues to delight me. I’m adding this email and those sent in the past to LinkedIn as articles and possibly on Medium so people checking me out virtually ‘get’ what I’m fascinated by and my approach.

 

If we’re not connected, let’s do so by clicking here and here.

Have a fantastic week!

~ Sam

AI 😇💥👌#31

AI 😇💥👌#31

Welcome to the 31st edition of this email. Did you know you can read past editions right here?

_____

I’ve heard Japan is starting to swelter! On the weekend in Melbourne I started to see my misty breath in the air. The chill is starting to set in down here in the south.

Happily I’m at a snowy mountain right now…

Blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies continue to awe and inspire me with ideas for the future. Join me in reading these fascinating insights over a coffee and a spectacular view:

“A tipping point could be reached where people will realize ‘that data belongs to me.'”

  • Examples of Blockchain uses beyond money / currency. Thx Lucy. (Claire S – there’s a good Tesla Powerwall example.) 
  • “What if you opened Spotify and paid the artist directly?”
  • “Lots of great things have happened, but overall the benefits of the digital age have been asymmetrical. For example, we have this great asset of data that’s been created by us, and yet we don’t get to keep it. It’s owned by a tiny handful” 
  • “The blockchain is …a platform for truth and it’s a platform for trust. The implications are staggering, not just for the financial-services industry but also right across virtually every aspect of society.” McKinsey & co.
  • How Blockchains will transform markets from master-tweeter Naval.
  • Keep up to date with cryptocurrencies – especially good to read if you’re investing in BTC, ETH etc.
  • Current prices of cryptocurrencies. Last week there were 863 currencies listed here and now…
  • If you’re thinking of investing in Ethereum and aren’t sure where to start, this could inform you. It could also be a bit too heavy on words such as “exchanges”. If so, read below this amazing view…

Book a 45 minute session with me to get a quick-start on learning about Blockchain tech and cryptocurrencies, setting up an online wallet, ask your current questions and receive tailored links.
Get involved fast.

Recent favourite reads & listens:

Great online presence:

Reply to let me know the favourite things you saw this week. I’d love that.

Have a fantastic week!

~ Sam

* Did you pickup my play on letters? bwahahah