Venkatesh Rao & Tim Beiko — The Summer of Protocols
Nov 30, 2023
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Tim Beiko, who runs Ethereum's core protocol meetings, teams up with writer Venkatesh Rao to discuss their 'Summer of Protocols' research program. They explore the importance of protocols, workplace safety, the consequences of ignoring hand hygiene in medicine, evolution of protocols and cultural adaptation, urban protocols, the importance of state and memory in technological systems, and the social side of blockchains.
Developing protocol literacy can help us dissect and analyze protocols, considering their positive and negative effects and potential for improvement.
Finding the right balance between adding new rules to address specific issues and maintaining simplicity and efficiency is crucial for protocol complexity.
Challenging traditional ways of thinking and embracing open-ended questioning allows us to uncover potential flaws and second-order impacts of protocols.
Recognizing protocols as a distinct field of study and developing universal ways of thinking about them can reshape problem-solving approaches with a protocols-first perspective.
Deep dives
The Value of Protocols
Protocols are a fundamental element of various domains, but often go unnoticed or unacknowledged. They have existed in different forms throughout history, embedded in societal and cultural practices. The challenge lies in shifting our mindset to become protocols-first thinkers, where we recognize the importance and impact of protocols in shaping our behaviors and interactions. By developing protocol literacy, we can start to dissect and analyze protocols, considering their positive and negative effects, their role in creating order, and their potential for improvement or change. This shift in thinking allows us to challenge sacred cows and traditional approaches, enabling us to find better frameworks and solutions to complex problems.
The Complexity of Protocols
Protocols can become increasingly complex as they evolve and adapt to changing circumstances. The challenge lies in finding the right balance between adding new rules or layers to address specific issues and maintaining simplicity and efficiency. Workplace safety protocols serve as an example, where the initial focus was on preventing catastrophic accidents, but over time, more and more measures were added to address smaller risks. This complexity can lead to unintended consequences and challenges in identifying the optimal level of protocol complexity. Moreover, protocols often become difficult to change once established, requiring careful consideration and foresight during their design.
Protocol Literacy and Second-order Thinking
Developing protocol literacy is crucial in order to navigate and understand the protocols that shape our everyday lives. This involves challenging traditional ways of thinking and embracing open-ended questioning. By considering the worst-case scenarios or the most extreme versions of protocols, we can uncover potential flaws, unintended consequences, and second-order impacts. Challenging sacred cows and preconceived notions allows us to think critically and explore alternative solutions. Engaging actively with protocols, experimenting with thought experiments, and rearranging their components can help us gain a deeper understanding and generate new insights.
The Evolution and Impact of Protocols
Protocols have always been present, guiding our behaviors and interactions, but the concept of protocols as a distinct field of study is a relatively recent development. Just as economics and science emerged through the identification of specific frameworks and lenses, protocols are now entering a new phase of understanding. The aim is to develop universal ways of thinking about protocols that can transcend different domains and contexts. By creating common frameworks and mental models, we can equip individuals with the necessary tools to recognize and engage with protocols in a meaningful way. This shift in thinking has the potential to reshape our approach to problem-solving and to replace outdated modes of thinking with protocols-first perspectives.
The Value of Protocols and Long Time Horizons
Protocols require long-term thinking and have a significant impact on cultural values and behaviors. Unlike short-term marketing or investment cycles, protocol development requires a hundred to a hundred-year timeline to consider the changing dynamics of society. Cultural values, prejudices, and the composition of people involved all play a role in the adoption and success of protocols. By understanding the long-term nature of protocols, we can better navigate the challenges and opportunities they present.
Exploring Protocols through Fiction
Fiction serves as a valuable tool for exploring and understanding protocols. Authors like J.G. Ballard offer compelling narratives that delve into the implications of protocols in various contexts. For instance, Ballard's novel 'High Rise' reflects the stratification and conflicts that arise when protocols dictate social interactions within a high-rise building. Additionally, works like 'The Drowned World' and 'Drought' explore the relationship between deep time, memory, and technology. Fiction allows us to grasp the impact of protocols on memory, identity, and behavior in both conscious and unconscious ways.
Adaptive Protocols, Emergence, and Open-Ended Evolution
Protocols possess a level of adaptability that enables emergent behavior and open-ended evolution. Their value lies not just in the code or structure, but in the data and state history they carry. Memory, both in the form of accumulated data and cultural memory, plays a crucial role in the intelligence and development of protocols. Whether observing the evolution of blockchain protocols, exploring urban planning through a hacker's lens, or considering the relationship of protocols to memory technologies, understanding the dynamics of adaptation and emergent behavior is vital for harnessing the full potential of protocols.
Tim Beiko, who runs the core protocol meetings for Ethereum, teams up with writer and consultant Venkatesh Rao to discuss their “Summer of Protocols” research program. This initiative brought together 33 researchers with a wide range of expertise to investigate protocols across several domains. Join us for an in-depth exploration of protocols: understanding what they are, their importance, why they can go wrong, and much more! Important Links:
