Tatum

Web3/Blockchain may be the most authentic software sector of the 21st Century After a couple decades of working in open source, it has been an exciting 90 days becoming part of the blockchain world.  My original notions of blockchain as just another family of database, albeit with unique characteristics, now seem narrow. Beyond gaining a greater appreciation of the economic system tied to this store of data, an enjoyable part has been experiencing the numerous parallels between where blockchain is today and the early days of Open Source. Both are disruptive to established systems, faced initial skepticism, and rely upon vibrant and engaged communities. But most importantly, the two movements share principles of transparency, decentralization, and freedom. But, open source’s commitment to these principles has limitations.  Large vendors often place their requirements over developer meritocracy.  Enterprises trade code lock-in for distribution and certification handcuffs.  Large cloud vendors began usurping much more than they contributed, thus driving complex licensing and stipulations on software freedom.  Ironically, even open source advocates often champion centralized solutions for other problems.  But despite these limitations, open source prevailed versus the prior proprietary paradigm and today is the heart of Web 2.0. What’s fun about blockchain is that it doesn’t make compromises.  Transparency is applied to not just what happened recently, but to what has ever happened for all to view.  Trustless systems are a true path to decentralization eliminating the need for intermediaries.  Freedom is not just for code, but for individuals to control their data and identity.  And the individuals I have met so far are deeply passionate about their project’s potential to make the world better. Computer science efforts prior to the year 2000 are easily romanticized.  Imagine the excitement from early researchers when 27 tons of ENIAC computing power managed to add two ten digit numbers in a couple milliseconds.  I suspect that these 20th century pioneers held an authentic love for computers. But for this century, nothing may be more authentic than Web3/Blockchain.  The sector advances open source principles without compromise.  There is zero effort to ostracize people that believe differently.  People are free in blockchain.  And, if the sector succeeds, people will be freer everywhere.