Galen Wolfe-Pauly, CEO of Tlon, the company behind Urbit, joined us to discuss one of the most radical and curious projects to come on the podcast. In development for 15 years already, Urbit aims to unravel the cloud computing paradigm that led to the creation of internet monopolies like Google and Facebook. Instead, in Urbit, each person has a personal server, a kind of digital sovereign entity, where applications are run, which leaves control and data in the hands of users.

Galen joined us to discuss what the philosophy and ideas driving Urbit, how a radically different internet could look like and what our path is to get there.

Topics covered in this episode:

The 15 year long history and evolution of Urbit
Understanding Urbit through the metaphors of a personal server, a personal blockchain, a republic or an operating function
The main Urbit components Nock, Hoon and Arvo
How Galaxies, Stars and Planets create Urbit’s hierarchy
The Urbit namespace and why it has value
How Urbit aims to radically reengineer how the internet works

Episode links:

This episode is hosted by Brian Fabian Crain and Meher Roy. Show notes and listening options: epicenter.tv/205

21: A Little Too Loud When It's Quiet

Ben: Mass Effect 3.
Dennis: The Walking Dead. X-COM: Enemy Unknown. Thomas Was Alone. God of War: Ascension.
David: Loadout.
Kole: Bioshock Infinite. Kerbal Space Program. Super Stick Man Golf 2.

The Brief

The Grind

Multiplayer