Mattias Johansson

Approachable, coherent explanation of blockchain networks and their implications for business and humanity

Revisado: 02-09-24

This book is an incredibly sound, clear and coherent explanation of the core value proposition of blockchains and why the old system is failing us, with extremely clear contemporary examples. Look no further for a comprehensive introduction to blockchain networks compressed into one book. It is also wonderfully well read by Robert Penkoff.

The domain of blockchain networks has historically been so exploited by hype evangelists and snake oil salesmen to the degree that the term blockchains for many is now conflated with these actors, and Dixon is a fresh and lucid voice that views this with the long-term perspective of someone that has grew up with the internet and open source.

I relate to Dixons background a lot - being both a content creator and a software engineer with 19 years of experience, that was in my early teens when the internet reached mainstream popularity, I watched open source software become a fundamental, powerful pillar of the tech economy and a force for good, but also see the internet flourish and then wither again as its value was extracted by a few select platforms that have gradually started introducing exorbitant take rates (a poignant terminology that Dixon succinctly introduced to me in this book).

Even as a person that has built blockchain networks, this book offered some new insights and ideas interesting connections, and also explains some aspects of what computing is at its essence. If the fact that “Computer” used to be a job title for humans surprises you, you need to read this book just for its introduction to computing.

This book is so well written and cuts through the complexity and confusion and hits at the core solid principles and value dynamics of blockchain networks, explaining as simple as possible, but no simpler.

A very, very important book in this day and age, and an important work to clarify on how we take the internet back that was stolen from us all, and make sure it is never stolen again.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Exhausting, unfortunately

Revisado: 11-23-20

I'm a bit hesitant on how to rate this title, as I had to stop after the first chapter. It's not for me. If you are looking to be convinced that the privacy problem is big, this book will do that. If you are like me, and are already concerned and is looking for a bit of positivity hopeful solutions, showcasing strides made, know that it is extremely focused on convincing you that the problem is great and the author is very good at triggering your stress levels further about the problem, which was personally not what I needed at this time.

I'm a bit I picked up this book after hearing the author on The Economist Radio, which offered an interesting account on the difficulties of what organisation should mandate data laws in a global economy.

While I am deeply concerned about privacy, and think Facebook is a company with an awful ethic etc, I am more of a person that looks at holistic, constructive solutions to problems and I have a hard time with one-sided rhethoric, and prefer when a problem is viewed from many angles so that I can fully understand where things are coming from. I picked up this book to find solutions to how we can store data securely, but the intro chapter was so anxiety-inducing, listing problem after problem and painting a bleak future and using rhethoric that is extremely problem-oriented and slides into some, in my opinion, strained examples with little nuance. It is written in a very fear-inducing preaching-to-the-converted style (that I often find in American books of this category) and even though I am on the side of the author, this honestly made me less excited about solving the privacy problem, if I'm being honest.

After 25 minutes of having my heart pound at the dystopian vision painted (even though I largely agree with it), I eventually skipped to the end of the intro chapter and after being promised that "the following three chapters do not paint a pretty picture" I decided that this book is not for me.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 2 personas