PolicyMe

policyme

The First And Rightful Lover

Rethinking Business in a Platform Economy I am on my way to Australia. I will give presentations on “doing business” and the “future of work” in a digital age. To pass the time, I was browsing the web in the airport lounge. Aimlessly following links until I came across something interesting. I ended up “finding” this 2010 talk by US sci-fi novelist, Bruce Sterling, in which he describes the challenge of being a “creative artist” in a globally networked world. _An unrepentant sympathizer took the trouble to type up a full transcript of my speech at Transmediale 10 on February…_www.wired.com Atemporality for the Creative Artist One part really stood out for me. Sterling’s suggestion that the “analog system” of “our parents” has been “shot full of holes”. To describe the newly emerging social order, Sterling identifies two symbols — the “ruined castle” and the “favela slum” — as metaphors of life in a digital age. The settled — yet crumbling — authorities of “our parents” (the castle relics) and the fragmented, chaotic, technology-driven spaces that we now all inhabit (the vibrant, but unpredictable favela). Sterling’s takeaway? We now live in a new age of “Gothic High Tech” and “Favela Chic”. Sterling provides some ideas about how “creative artists” might navigate this uncertainty. It is a positive message (which I like) of freedom, radical creativity and new opportunities. Sterling gave this talk in 2010, but what has happened in eight years. What have (and ) done in order to flourish in Sterling’s new world of crumbling monuments and chaotic ghettoes? business workers “Become a Platform!” For me, the answer is very simple. In order to remain relevant, more and more companies have embraced the “platform idea”. Whenever I make this point, people assume that I am talking about -type companies, such as , , or blockchain platforms. Uber E-Bay Airbnb Alibaba Although I am a great believer in business models that use technology to facilitate peer-to-peer transactions, we should realize that there is so much more to platform companies than facilitating transactions. We need to broaden our understanding of what makes a platform company special. For example, a platform company — in this broader sense — collaborates with and incorporates technology from multiple partners (other corporations (both large and small), nonprofits, and educational institutions) to build an open and inclusive ecosystem that facilitates innovation and drives business performance. A platform company is not only about facilitating transactions, but about delivering innovation via this more open style of organization. And in order to be successful, everyone inside a company (both technologists and non-technologists) needs to embrace a platform culture. We can easily bring this back to Sterling. The old hierarchical companies are the crumbling “ruined castles” of “our parents”. They may live on as monuments to a disappearing world, but it seems unlikely they will ever be relevant again. Reverence of their past triumphs makes little sense. Especially when the future is so exciting. Instead, the “favelas” of the business world are the platforms. They are the fluid and chaotic spaces that focus on building messy, yet creative, networks. They take inspiration from wherever and whoever they can find it in order to create and deliver innovation. Of course, this is risky. And some — perhaps many — of these experiments in open collaboration will fail. But I don’t see a better alternative to the open-ended possibilities of messy creativity. Three Strategies for Collaboration in the Digital Ghetto Here is a non-exhaustive list of strategies for achieving this goal. (1) Embrace the “Maverick” Consider . Netflix In 2009, its founder, Reed Hastings, pointed out that too many corporations have “nice sounding” value statements that emphasize things like vision, excellence and creativity. However, he made the point that these “values” are often not what is really valued within a corporation. All too often, they are just empty window dressing. To really see the “actual company values” as opposed to the “nice-sounding values”, Hastings suggests we look at “who gets rewarded, promoted or let go”. _Netflix had long been famous for its "freedom & responsibility" slide deck, which the company first published in 2009…_variety.com How Netflix Ticks: Five Key Insights From the Company's New Corporate Culture Manifesto I like this suggestion. All too often “mavericks” or “deviants”, either inside an organization or as partners of an organization, are “let go”. Conformity with pre-defined structures and settled roles is prioritized over more unsettling forms of creativity. Particularly, when that creativity creates tensions with those pre-defined structures and settled roles. And this will often happen, as it is in the very nature of creativity to be dismissive of the past and disruptive in the present. A more forward-thinking approach involves embracing mavericks and recognizing the value they can potentially bring to an organization. In turn, this can help to attract talented people as it promises a much greater degree of freedom and responsibility. Indeed, the opportunities afforded by such freedom and responsibility can help make corporations attractive (again). After all, in the absence of this type of culture, the most creative young talent will simply leave. (2) Resist Assimilation & Grow Via Mutual Learning By this I mean, that platform companies should not seek to change those with whom they collaborate and that the partners — be they organizations or individuals — should resist losing their own distinct identity as the collaboration deepens. Take the example of and . acquired , an online shoe retailer in 2009 for about $847 million, its largest acquisition at the time. Both companies had a reputation for innovative — and possibly controversial — organizational approaches that drive employees hard. had earlier instituted a system of “holocracy” that scrapped management positions and left it to employees to independently decide how to get the work done. Amazon Zappos Amazon Zappos Zappos Unsurprisingly, this organizational principle was not for everyone and the company itself admitted that 15–20% of employees left the company, dissatisfied with the “flatter” operating environment. Furthermore, instituted a “pay-to-quit” policy in which they offered all employees a reasonable dollar amount to quit. The logic of “The Offer” seems clear. If an employee is not 100% committed to the firm and its “flat” culture, then the company would rather “pay now than pay later”. Zappos The interesting thing about the example is that after the acquisition did not seek to change internal organizational culture. Quite the contrary, aspects of became part of the much larger ecosystem, in the sense that the “pay to quit principle” was adopted elsewhere within the group. Zappos Amazon Zappos’ Zappos Amazon Amazon _Helping employees quit, and literally paying them a quitting bonus, may seem insane, but many leaders are finding it…_www.inc.com Why Amazon Bought Into Zappos's 'Pay to Quit' Policy Instead of assimilating , the way of working was retained, assessed and — ultimately — integrated into own culture and practice. In turn, this flatter, more open style of relationship makes it more likely that the founders will stay, other talent will be attracted, and that — in consequence — the startup maximizes its chances of long-term growth. Amazon Zappos Zappos Amazon’s In this way, used the acquisition as a successful learning opportunity from which they could grow as a company. Amazon (3) Let “The Vision” Drive Everything In a platform context, the main task of business leaders is to reiterate constantly the vision of the company. In the case of and Elon Musk, for instance, the vision is “making the world a better place” by accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy. Tesla _Energy is fundamental to economic systems and, indeed, to all life. Elon Musk has always insisted that Tesla's ultimate…_www.teslarati.com Elon Musk's vision for the world's transition to sustainable energy Indeed, for the last ten years, has been on a clear and pre-defined journey from the low volume, high priced electrical Roadster, via the “mid volume”, “less-high priced” Models S and X, to eventually the high volume and low-priced Model 3. The final leg of the journey is the seamless integration of solar power with battery storage. Tesla ’s recruitment policy and working environment also plays a crucial role. The recruitment of new staff, for instance, is not based on prior industry experience, but on a demonstrated ability to solve complex problems under conditions of uncertainty. Tesla In this way, problem-solving capacities are seen as a crucial proxy for future success and achievement. This model is carried over into the work space by creating small teams who work “cheek-by-jowl” to identify relevant solutions to particular problems and by making innovative problem-solving — “improving things” — the basis of staff bonuses. It should therefore come as no surprise that Tesla outperforms its competitors in terms of the creation of market value per employee. The vision of the company is operationalized in aspect of the company’s activities. every Australia The aim of any platform is to facilitate an open and inclusive style of collaboration in which opportunities for mutual learning are emphasized. There are many other things that can be done to achieve this goal, but the above strategies can provide some hints. In this sense that we can talk of a large corporation “borrowing the startup genie’s magic”. After all, each of these strategies and goals can be more easily achieved in a younger, less complex organization that is staffed by individuals that intuitively understand the values and practices of life in the metaphorical ghetto. I really don’t see a better way. This will be my main message for the events in Australia. 👏 Thank you for reading! Please click and hold the below, or leave a comment. There is a new story every week. So if you follow me you won’t miss my latest insights about how the digital age is changing the way we live and work.

Living & Working in Today’s “Digital Ghettos”

This is Part 11 of a 12-part series based on the research paper “Human-Machine Social Systems.” Use the table of links below to navigate to the next part. Table of Links Abstract and Introduction Human-machine interactions Collective outcomes Box 1: Competition in high-frequency trading markets Box 2: Contagion on Twitter Box 3: Cooperation and coordination on Wikipedia Box 4: Cooperation and contagion on Reddit Discussion Implications for research Implications for design Implications for policy Conclusion, Acknowledgments, References, and Competing interests Implications for Policy We urge a system-focused approach to AI policy and ethics: policymakers should approach AI not as a single existential threat but as a multiplicity of machines and algorithms. Machines are often more beneficial when they are superhuman or simply “alien” and when they are diverse. Similarity in information sources, interaction speeds, optimization algorithms, and objective functions can cause catastrophic events, like flash crashes in markets. Thus, while AI designers may chase optimization and superintelligence, policymakers should focus on the diversity of human-machine ecologies. Policymakers should demand adaptivity and resilience, too. Policymakers should also anticipate the social co-evolution of machines and humans, which will inadvertently change existing institutions. Machines can cause humans to withdraw interaction: for instance, outsourcing care to robots reduces caregivers’ empathy [246]. Intelligent machines are changing the transmission and creation of human culture, altering social learning dynamics, and generating new game strategies, scientific discoveries, and art forms [247]. Humans must adapt to autonomous machines just as autonomous machines must learn from and adapt to humans. Finally, ethicists should address questions such as: Should all machines be equal? Should we allow status hierarchies, possibly reflecting and exacerbating existing socio-economic inequalities? Authors:
(1) Milena Tsvetkova, Department of Methodology, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom;
(2) Taha Yasseri, School of Sociology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland and Geary Institute for Public Policy, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland;
(3) Niccolo Pescetelli, Collective Intelligence Lab, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA;
(4) Tobias Werner, Center for Humans and Machines, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany. This paper is available on arxiv under CC BY 4.0 DEED license. This is Part 11 of a 12-part series based on the research paper “Human-Machine Social Systems.” Use the table of links below to navigate to the next part. This is Part 11 of a 12-part series based on the research paper “Human-Machine Social Systems.” Use the table of links below to navigate to the next part. “ Human-Machine Social Systems .” Human-Machine Social Systems Table of Links Abstract and Introduction Abstract and Introduction Human-machine interactions Human-machine interactions Collective outcomes Collective outcomes Box 1: Competition in high-frequency trading markets Box 1: Competition in high-frequency trading markets Box 2: Contagion on Twitter Box 2: Contagion on Twitter Box 3: Cooperation and coordination on Wikipedia Box 3: Cooperation and coordination on Wikipedia Box 4: Cooperation and contagion on Reddit Box 4: Cooperation and contagion on Reddit Discussion Discussion Implications for research Implications for research Implications for design Implications for design Implications for policy Implications for policy Conclusion, Acknowledgments, References, and Competing interests Conclusion, Acknowledgments, References, and Competing interests Implications for Policy We urge a system-focused approach to AI policy and ethics: policymakers should approach AI not as a single existential threat but as a multiplicity of machines and algorithms. Machines are often more beneficial when they are superhuman or simply “alien” and when they are diverse. Similarity in information sources, interaction speeds, optimization algorithms, and objective functions can cause catastrophic events, like flash crashes in markets. Thus, while AI designers may chase optimization and superintelligence, policymakers should focus on the diversity of human-machine ecologies. Policymakers should demand adaptivity and resilience, too. Policymakers should also anticipate the social co-evolution of machines and humans, which will inadvertently change existing institutions. Machines can cause humans to withdraw interaction: for instance, outsourcing care to robots reduces caregivers’ empathy [246]. Intelligent machines are changing the transmission and creation of human culture, altering social learning dynamics, and generating new game strategies, scientific discoveries, and art forms [247]. Humans must adapt to autonomous machines just as autonomous machines must learn from and adapt to humans. Finally, ethicists should address questions such as: Should all machines be equal? Should we allow status hierarchies, possibly reflecting and exacerbating existing socio-economic inequalities? Authors: (1) Milena Tsvetkova, Department of Methodology, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom; (2) Taha Yasseri, School of Sociology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland and Geary Institute for Public Policy, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; (3) Niccolo Pescetelli, Collective Intelligence Lab, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA; (4) Tobias Werner, Center for Humans and Machines, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany. Authors: Authors: (1) Milena Tsvetkova, Department of Methodology, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom; (2) Taha Yasseri, School of Sociology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland and Geary Institute for Public Policy, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; (3) Niccolo Pescetelli, Collective Intelligence Lab, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA; (4) Tobias Werner, Center for Humans and Machines, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany. This paper is available on arxiv under CC BY 4.0 DEED license. This paper is available on arxiv under CC BY 4.0 DEED license. available on arxiv

Should All Machines be Equal?

How Homology Theory Helps Explain Shocks and Bifurcation in Economic Model

Why Current Economic Models Struggle with Predicting the Future 

New Evidence Changes How We Understand Inflation and Monetary Policy

Nye beviser ændrer, hvordan vi forstår inflation og pengepolitik

Νέα στοιχεία αλλάζουν τον τρόπο με τον οποίο κατανοούμε τον πληθωρισμό και τη νομισματική πολιτική

Nuevas evidencias cambian nuestra forma de entender la inflación y la política monetaria

Nuove prove cambiano il modo in cui comprendiamo l’inflazione e la politica monetaria

新たな証拠がインフレと金融政策の理解を変える

ភស្តុតាងថ្មីផ្លាស់ប្តូររបៀបដែលយើងយល់ពីអតិផរណា និងគោលនយោបាយរូបិយវត្ថុ

Nowe dowody zmieniają sposób, w jaki rozumiemy inflację i politykę pieniężną

උද්ධමනය සහ මුදල් ප්‍රතිපත්තිය අප තේරුම් ගන්නා ආකාරය නව සාක්ෂි වෙනස් කරයි

Humbowo Hutsva Hunochinja Manzwisisiro Atinoita Inflation uye Monetary Policy

Ushahidi Mpya Unabadilisha Jinsi Tunavyoelewa Mfumuko wa Bei na Sera ya Fedha

பணவீக்கம் மற்றும் பணவியல் கொள்கையை நாம் எவ்வாறு புரிந்துகொள்கிறோம் என்பதை புதிய சான்றுகள் மாற்றுகின்றன

新证据改变了我们对通货膨胀和货币政策的理解

The $XRP Comeback Was a Long Time Coming

عودة $XRP كانت متوقعة منذ فترة طويلة

Návrat $XRP byl na dlouhou dobu

El regreso de XRP se hizo esperar

O regreso de $XRP foi moito tempo

A $XRP visszatérése sokáig váratott magára

Il ritorno di $XRP si è fatto attendere a lungo

$XRPの復活は長い間待たれていた

$ XRP кайтып келүүсү узак убакыт болгон

Iyo $XRP Kudzoka Yakanga Yakareba Kuuya

Urejesho wa $XRP Ulikuja kwa Muda Mrefu

እቲ $XRP ምምላስ ነዊሕ ግዜ እዩ ነይሩ።

$XRP کی واپسی ایک لمبا وقت تھا۔

Hey Hackers! Torram has been nominated in HackerNoon's Startups of The Year 2024 awards in Toronto, Canada under the Web3 category. Please vote for us here:

https://hackernoon.com/startups/north-america/north-america-toronto-canada
https://hackernoon.com/startups/industry/decentralization
https://hackernoon.com/startups/industry/defi Read more about us below to understand why we deserve your vote. Meet Torram Torram is revolutionizing decentralized finance (DeFi) by building Bitcoin-native infrastructure designed to unlock trillions in value on the Bitcoin blockchain. Our secure and scalable frameworks are creating the foundation for institutional-grade DeFi and real-world asset tokenization on Bitcoin Layer 1 (L1). For those who might not be deeply familiar with blockchain, can you explain why it's so crucial in today’s digital age? Blockchain transforms the digital world by replacing trust with truth. It allows for transparent, peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries—critical in an era where confidence in centralized systems is eroding. By combining the security of the Bitcoin blockchain with our Bitcoin-native decentralized toolkit – Torram is making institutional adoption of blockchain a reality. What are some of the most innovative projects or products your company is working on right now? How do they address current market needs? Up until recently, Bitcoin has been looked at primarily as a store of value—but 2024 marks a turning point. With groundbreaking innovations like the Taproot upgrade and Casey Rodarmor’s inscriptions and Runes protocols, Bitcoin is unlocking new possibilities and Torram is positioning itself by building the infrastructure needed to transform Bitcoin into a thriving ecosystem for DeFi and beyond. Here’s what we are building: Decentralized Oracle Network: Reliable, real-time data is the backbone of DeFi. Torram is pioneering decentralized oracles optimized for the Bitcoin ecosystem, ensuring seamless integration of off-chain and on-chain data while maintaining trust and transparency.
Decentralized Indexer Network: Accessing and organizing blockchain data can be complex. Our Bitcoin-native indexer network will simplify this process, enabling faster analytics and integrations for institutions and developers building on Bitcoin L1.
Decentralized APIs: One of the biggest challenges in the blockchain space is the lack of standardized APIs that allow for easy data integration. Our decentralized API aims to bridge this gap, providing developers with a consistent and reliable way to access data. What are the biggest challenges your company faces in the crypto/blockchain space, and how are you planning to overcome them? The biggest hurdles are regulatory uncertainty and lingering skepticism about Web3’s real-world applications. As the financial world starts to adopt Bitcoin, we’re extremely confident that these hurdles will be resolved sooner rather than later, but for now, we’re tackling them head-on. Regulatory clarity: We work closely with legal experts and policymakers to foster solutions that comply with evolving frameworks while staying true to decentralization principles.
Education and transparency: By simplifying our messaging and publishing open-source components of our decentralized toolkit, we’re helping investors and institutions understand how Bitcoin DeFi works — and why it’s worth their trust. How do you envision the Bitcoin ecosystem transforming Web3 as we know it? What are the key benefits and potential drawbacks of this transition? As the most secure and decentralized blockchain, Bitcoin serves as the backbone for a transparent, equitable Web3. Torram enhances this by offering tools like a decentralized oracle network and indexer network to enable scalable, secure decentralized solutions. The key benefits include: Enhanced security: Bitcoin’s proof-of-work ensures unparalleled reliability.
Censorship resistance: A trustless system for a free, open financial future.
Equitable access: Real-world asset tokenization and programmable money for global inclusion. However, the challenges lie in overcoming scalability limitations and ensuring seamless developer adoption—but with recent innovations in the Bitcoin ecosystem and Torram’s breakthrough decentralized toolkit, these hurdles are rapidly being addressed. Can you explain some of the technical advancements that are making Web3 possible? How can developers get involved in this space? Recent innovations in the Bitcoin ecosystem like the Taproot upgrade, BRC20s, the Ordinals and the Runes protocols have brought programmability to Bitcoin, unlocking possibilities for DeFi and Web3. Torram is leveraging these advancements to build critical infrastructure that will bridge the gap between TradFi and the Bitcoin DeFi ecosystem. Developers interested to build in the Bitcoin ecosystem can join our growing community. In 2025, we will start hosting our own hackathons to help push Bitcoin innovation forward. If you have an idea, we would love to collaborate. Sign up to our early access list here and we’ll be in touch! What advice would you give to someone who is just starting to explore the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology? It all starts with Bitcoin. We recommend studying the Bitcoin ecosystem and downloading a Bitcoin wallet, sending a transaction, and seeing it in action. Follow Bitcoin and crypto thought leaders and communities on platforms like X, YouTube, and Discord. For beginners, resources like The Bitcoin Standard and YouTube channels like The Defiant, a DeFi/Web3 channel are great starting points. You can also follow Torram on X to learn more about what we’re doing and how we envision the future of the Bitcoin ecosystem. Our CEO, Vakeesan Mahalingam is also an emerging leader in the Bitcoin space and often drops timely alpha on his X or LinkedIn channels – don’t miss it! Why we decided to participate in HackerNoon's Startups of The Year awards We are driven by the unwavering belief that Bitcoin DeFi is not just the future—it’s a financial revolution in the making. The integration of TradFi with blockchain technology and Bitcoin DeFi represents a monumental shift that the world needs to understand and embrace. It's a transformation that will redefine how finance operates on a global scale. HackerNoon’s community is a vibrant hub where tech enthusiasts and innovators converge—a place where groundbreaking ideas are celebrated and amplified. We saw an opportunity to connect with like-minded visionaries who appreciate the profound impact of technological advancements. By participating in the Startups of the Year Awards, we aim to showcase how Torram is poised to disrupt TradFi and power the future of finance. Final Thoughts At Torram, we’re building for the long game—and the recognition from HackerNoon as a Startup of the Year nominee is a testament to our vision and momentum. This is more than a milestone; it’s validation that we’re on the right path to redefine what’s possible with Bitcoin. Torram is here to prove that Bitcoin isn’t just digital gold—it’s the cornerstone of a decentralized, open financial system set to transform the future of global finance. The revolution is just getting started, and we’re part of a core group of Bitcoin players leading the charge. Vote for Torram today! Learn more about Torram’s Bitcoin-native solutions and vote for us as Startup of the Year on HackerNoon! https://hackernoon.com/startups/north-america/north-america-toronto-canada Let’s build the future of Bitcoin DeFi together 🚀 Hey Hackers! Torram has been nominated in HackerNoon's Startups of The Year 2024 awards in Toronto, Canada under the Web3 category. HackerNoon's Startups of The Year 2024 HackerNoon's Startups of The Year 2024 Web3 Web3 Please vote for us here: https://hackernoon.com/startups/north-america/north-america-toronto-canada
https://hackernoon.com/startups/industry/decentralization
https://hackernoon.com/startups/industry/defi Please vote for us here: https://hackernoon.com/startups/north-america/north-america-toronto-canada https://hackernoon.com/startups/industry/decentralization https://hackernoon.com/startups/industry/defi https://hackernoon.com/startups/north-america/north-america-toronto-canada https://hackernoon.com/startups/north-america/north-america-toronto-canada https://hackernoon.com/startups/north-america/north-america-toronto-canada https://hackernoon.com/startups/industry/decentralization https://hackernoon.com/startups/industry/decentralization https://hackernoon.com/startups/industry/decentralization https://hackernoon.com/startups/industry/defi https://hackernoon.com/startups/industry/defi https://hackernoon.com/startups/industry/defi Read more about us below to understand why we deserve your vote. Meet Torram Meet Torram Torram is revolutionizing decentralized finance (DeFi) by building Bitcoin-native infrastructure designed to unlock trillions in value on the Bitcoin blockchain. Our secure and scalable frameworks are creating the foundation for institutional-grade DeFi and real-world asset tokenization on Bitcoin Layer 1 (L1). Torram Torram For those who might not be deeply familiar with blockchain, can you explain why it's so crucial in today’s digital age? Blockchain transforms the digital world by replacing trust with truth. It allows for transparent, peer-to-peer transactions without intermediaries—critical in an era where confidence in centralized systems is eroding. By combining the security of the Bitcoin blockchain with our Bitcoin-native decentralized toolkit – Torram is making institutional adoption of blockchain a reality. What are some of the most innovative projects or products your company is working on right now? How do they address current market needs? What are some of the most innovative projects or products your company is working on right now? How do they address current market needs? Up until recently, Bitcoin has been looked at primarily as a store of value—but 2024 marks a turning point. With groundbreaking innovations like the Taproot upgrade and Casey Rodarmor’s inscriptions and Runes protocols, Bitcoin is unlocking new possibilities and Torram is positioning itself by building the infrastructure needed to transform Bitcoin into a thriving ecosystem for DeFi and beyond. Here’s what we are building: Here’s what we are building: Decentralized Oracle Network: Reliable, real-time data is the backbone of DeFi. Torram is pioneering decentralized oracles optimized for the Bitcoin ecosystem, ensuring seamless integration of off-chain and on-chain data while maintaining trust and transparency. Decentralized Indexer Network: Accessing and organizing blockchain data can be complex. Our Bitcoin-native indexer network will simplify this process, enabling faster analytics and integrations for institutions and developers building on Bitcoin L1. Decentralized APIs: One of the biggest challenges in the blockchain space is the lack of standardized APIs that allow for easy data integration. Our decentralized API aims to bridge this gap, providing developers with a consistent and reliable way to access data. Decentralized Oracle Network: Reliable, real-time data is the backbone of DeFi. Torram is pioneering decentralized oracles optimized for the Bitcoin ecosystem, ensuring seamless integration of off-chain and on-chain data while maintaining trust and transparency. Decentralized Indexer Network: Accessing and organizing blockchain data can be complex. Our Bitcoin-native indexer network will simplify this process, enabling faster analytics and integrations for institutions and developers building on Bitcoin L1. Decentralized APIs: One of the biggest challenges in the blockchain space is the lack of standardized APIs that allow for easy data integration. Our decentralized API aims to bridge this gap, providing developers with a consistent and reliable way to access data. What are the biggest challenges your company faces in the crypto/blockchain space, and how are you planning to overcome them? The biggest hurdles are regulatory uncertainty and lingering skepticism about Web3’s real-world applications. As the financial world starts to adopt Bitcoin, we’re extremely confident that these hurdles will be resolved sooner rather than later, but for now, we’re tackling them head-on. Regulatory clarity: We work closely with legal experts and policymakers to foster solutions that comply with evolving frameworks while staying true to decentralization principles. Education and transparency: By simplifying our messaging and publishing open-source components of our decentralized toolkit, we’re helping investors and institutions understand how Bitcoin DeFi works — and why it’s worth their trust. Regulatory clarity: We work closely with legal experts and policymakers to foster solutions that comply with evolving frameworks while staying true to decentralization principles. Education and transparency: By simplifying our messaging and publishing open-source components of our decentralized toolkit, we’re helping investors and institutions understand how Bitcoin DeFi works — and why it’s worth their trust. How do you envision the Bitcoin ecosystem transforming Web3 as we know it? What are the key benefits and potential drawbacks of this transition? As the most secure and decentralized blockchain, Bitcoin serves as the backbone for a transparent, equitable Web3. Torram enhances this by offering tools like a decentralized oracle network and indexer network to enable scalable, secure decentralized solutions. The key benefits include: The key benefits include: Enhanced security: Bitcoin’s proof-of-work ensures unparalleled reliability. Censorship resistance: A trustless system for a free, open financial future. Equitable access: Real-world asset tokenization and programmable money for global inclusion. Enhanced security: Bitcoin’s proof-of-work ensures unparalleled reliability. Censorship resistance: A trustless system for a free, open financial future. Equitable access: Real-world asset tokenization and programmable money for global inclusion. However, the challenges lie in overcoming scalability limitations and ensuring seamless developer adoption—but with recent innovations in the Bitcoin ecosystem and Torram’s breakthrough decentralized toolkit, these hurdles are rapidly being addressed. Can you explain some of the technical advancements that are making Web3 possible? How can developers get involved in this space? Recent innovations in the Bitcoin ecosystem like the Taproot upgrade, BRC20s, the Ordinals and the Runes protocols have brought programmability to Bitcoin, unlocking possibilities for DeFi and Web3. Torram is leveraging these advancements to build critical infrastructure that will bridge the gap between TradFi and the Bitcoin DeFi ecosystem. Developers interested to build in the Bitcoin ecosystem can join our growing community. In 2025, we will start hosting our own hackathons to help push Bitcoin innovation forward. If you have an idea, we would love to collaborate. Sign up to our early access list here and we’ll be in touch! here here What advice would you give to someone who is just starting to explore the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology? It all starts with Bitcoin. We recommend studying the Bitcoin ecosystem and downloading a Bitcoin wallet, sending a transaction, and seeing it in action. Follow Bitcoin and crypto thought leaders and communities on platforms like X, YouTube, and Discord. For beginners, resources like The Bitcoin Standard and YouTube channels like The Defiant, a DeFi/Web3 channel are great starting points. You can also follow Torram on X to learn more about what we’re doing and how we envision the future of the Bitcoin ecosystem. Our CEO, Vakeesan Mahalingam is also an emerging leader in the Bitcoin space and often drops timely alpha on his X or LinkedIn channels – don’t miss it! Torram on X Torram on X Vakeesan Mahalingam X X LinkedIn LinkedIn Why we decided to participate in HackerNoon's Startups of The Year awards We are driven by the unwavering belief that Bitcoin DeFi is not just the future—it’s a financial revolution in the making. The integration of TradFi with blockchain technology and Bitcoin DeFi represents a monumental shift that the world needs to understand and embrace. It's a transformation that will redefine how finance operates on a global scale. HackerNoon’s community is a vibrant hub where tech enthusiasts and innovators converge—a place where groundbreaking ideas are celebrated and amplified. We saw an opportunity to connect with like-minded visionaries who appreciate the profound impact of technological advancements. By participating in the Startups of the Year Awards, we aim to showcase how Torram is poised to disrupt TradFi and power the future of finance. Final Thoughts At Torram, we’re building for the long game—and the recognition from HackerNoon as a Startup of the Year nominee is a testament to our vision and momentum. This is more than a milestone; it’s validation that we’re on the right path to redefine what’s possible with Bitcoin. Torram is here to prove that Bitcoin isn’t just digital gold—it’s the cornerstone of a decentralized, open financial system set to transform the future of global finance. The revolution is just getting started, and we’re part of a core group of Bitcoin players leading the charge. Vote for Torram today! Learn more about Torram’s Bitcoin-native solutions and vote for us as Startup of the Year on HackerNoon! https://hackernoon.com/startups/north-america/north-america-toronto-canada Learn more about Torram’s Bitcoin-native solutions and vote for us as Startup of the Year on HackerNoon! https://hackernoon.com/startups/north-america/north-america-toronto-canada Torram’s Torram’s https://hackernoon.com/startups/north-america/north-america-toronto-canada https://hackernoon.com/startups/north-america/north-america-toronto-canada Let’s build the future of Bitcoin DeFi together 🚀

Building Institutional DeFi on Bitcoin: Interview with Startups of the Year 2024 Nominee, Torram

Agile Is Rigor Mortis as Software’s State Religion

Agile is Rigor Mortis as sagteware se staatsgodsdiens

Agile es el rigor mortis como religión estatal del software

Agile da Rigor Mortis Softwarearen Estatuko Erlijio gisa

Agile est la Rigor Mortis comme religion d’État du logiciel

Agile Is Rigor Mortis כדת המדינה של תוכנה

Agile se Rigor Mortis kòm relijyon leta lojisyèl

アジャイルはソフトウェアの国教としての死後硬直である

Agile Adalah Rigor Mortis sebagai Agama Negeri Perisian

Agile é o rigor mortis como religião de estado do software

Ágil Rigor Mortis Softwarepa Estado Religionnin hina

Agile Is Rigor Mortis bilang Relihiyon ng Estado ng Software

I-Agile Is Rigor Mortis njengeNkolo Yezwe Yesoftware

Musk’s Vision Elon Musk has made a groundbreaking statement about the future of artificial intelligence, predicting transformative changes in critical professions. AI will soon beat doctors and lawyers by a large margin (and eventually all humans at almost everything). Musk also suggests a fascinating new role for humanity in an AI-driven future. We can serve as a biological backstop for intelligence, as we are less brittle than silicon, and perhaps as a source of will. This perspective not only forecasts AI’s dominance but also redefines how humans could contribute to the evolving landscape of intelligence. Scientific Evidence Musk’s bold claims are backed by compelling data from a study conducted at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center: • GPT-4 demonstrated an impressive 90% diagnostic accuracy. • Doctors who utilized GPT-4 achieved a 76% accuracy rate. • Professionals relying on traditional tools reached only 74%. These findings underscore the potential for AI systems to not only match but significantly surpass human capabilities in specialized fields. Future Perspectives Bindu Reddy, CEO of Abacus.AI, reinforced Musk’s view by suggesting that an AI system with unrestricted access to laboratory data could dramatically outperform human doctors. Reddy extended this prediction to other knowledge-driven professions, such as law, where AI could revolutionize tasks like legal research, case analysis, and decision-making. https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1858305249783755206?embedable=true Adding to this discourse, Richard Susskind, a renowned authority on artificial intelligence, stated, “There's more need for legal services. The question is how will that need be satisfied?” Bloomberg Law This highlights the growing demand for legal expertise and the potential role of AI in meeting this need. Revolutionary Implications Musk’s vision moves beyond the realm of automation, proposing a symbiotic relationship between humans and AI. His emphasis on humanity’s “less brittle” nature compared to silicon hints at a future where humans might provide critical support to AI systems, functioning as a backup for intelligence and a potential source of willpower. This paradigm suggests a collaborative future where biological and artificial intelligence coexist, with humanity adapting to complement and enhance the capabilities of AI rather than being overshadowed by it. https://youtu.be/rkytqnZgEmc?si=yTvY27bm29rW6i1a&embedable=true Ethical Considerations The rapid advancement of AI in fields like medicine and law raises significant ethical questions. Concerns about data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the potential for AI to make decisions without human oversight are paramount. Experts emphasize the need for robust ethical frameworks to guide AI development and implementation. As noted in a recent article, “AI is also getting much better and hallucinating less... The industry is moving from non-specialized AI to AI trained on legal materials, designed to tackle specific, complex legal problems.” Harvard Law School This underscores the importance of developing AI systems that are not only efficient but also fair and transparent. Economic Impact The integration of AI into professional sectors is poised to have profound economic implications. While AI can enhance efficiency and reduce costs, it may also lead to job displacement in certain areas. However, some experts argue that AI will create new opportunities and roles, particularly in areas requiring human empathy, creativity, and complex problem-solving. The challenge lies in managing this transition to ensure that the workforce is prepared for the changes ahead. "The integration of AI into the economy is expected to create both disruptions and opportunities. By 2030, AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy, with healthcare and professional services among the largest beneficiaries." PwC Conclusion Elon Musk's predictions about AI's future role in medicine and law highlight both the potential and challenges of this transformative technology. As AI continues to evolve, it is crucial for stakeholders, including technologists, policymakers, and the public, to engage in meaningful dialogue about how to harness AI's benefits while mitigating its risks. The future of AI is not predetermined; it will be shaped by the choices we make today. Musk’s Vision Musk’s Vision Elon Musk has made a groundbreaking statement about the future of artificial intelligence, predicting transformative changes in critical professions. AI will soon beat doctors and lawyers by a large margin (and eventually all humans at almost everything). AI will soon beat doctors and lawyers by a large margin (and eventually all humans at almost everything). AI will soon beat doctors and lawyers by a large margin (and eventually all humans at almost everything). Musk also suggests a fascinating new role for humanity in an AI-driven future. We can serve as a biological backstop for intelligence, as we are less brittle than silicon, and perhaps as a source of will. We can serve as a biological backstop for intelligence, as we are less brittle than silicon, and perhaps as a source of will. We can serve as a biological backstop for intelligence, as we are less brittle than silicon, and perhaps as a source of will. This perspective not only forecasts AI’s dominance but also redefines how humans could contribute to the evolving landscape of intelligence. Scientific Evidence Scientific Evidence Musk’s bold claims are backed by compelling data from a study conducted at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center: • GPT-4 demonstrated an impressive 90% diagnostic accuracy. GPT-4 demonstrated an impressive 90% diagnostic accuracy. • Doctors who utilized GPT-4 achieved a 76% accuracy rate. Doctors who utilized GPT-4 achieved a 76% accuracy rate. • Professionals relying on traditional tools reached only 74%. Professionals relying on traditional tools reached only 74%. These findings underscore the potential for AI systems to not only match but significantly surpass human capabilities in specialized fields. Future Perspectives Future Perspectives Bindu Reddy, CEO of Abacus.AI, reinforced Musk’s view by suggesting that an AI system with unrestricted access to laboratory data could dramatically outperform human doctors. Reddy extended this prediction to other knowledge-driven professions, such as law, where AI could revolutionize tasks like legal research, case analysis, and decision-making. https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1858305249783755206?embedable=true https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1858305249783755206?embedable=true Adding to this discourse, Richard Susskind, a renowned authority on artificial intelligence, stated, “There's more need for legal services. The question is how will that need be satisfied?” “There's more need for legal services. The question is how will that need be satisfied?” “There's more need for legal services. The question is how will that need be satisfied?” Bloomberg Law Bloomberg Law Bloomberg Law This highlights the growing demand for legal expertise and the potential role of AI in meeting this need. Revolutionary Implications Revolutionary Implications Musk’s vision moves beyond the realm of automation, proposing a symbiotic relationship between humans and AI. His emphasis on humanity’s “less brittle” nature compared to silicon hints at a future where humans might provide critical support to AI systems, functioning as a backup for intelligence and a potential source of willpower. symbiotic relationship between humans and AI. backup for intelligence source of willpower. This paradigm suggests a collaborative future where biological and artificial intelligence coexist, with humanity adapting to complement and enhance the capabilities of AI rather than being overshadowed by it. https://youtu.be/rkytqnZgEmc?si=yTvY27bm29rW6i1a&embedable=true https://youtu.be/rkytqnZgEmc?si=yTvY27bm29rW6i1a&embedable=true Ethical Considerations Ethical Considerations The rapid advancement of AI in fields like medicine and law raises significant ethical questions. Concerns about data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the potential for AI to make decisions without human oversight are paramount. Experts emphasize the need for robust ethical frameworks to guide AI development and implementation. As noted in a recent article, “AI is also getting much better and hallucinating less... The industry is moving from non-specialized AI to AI trained on legal materials, designed to tackle specific, complex legal problems.” “AI is also getting much better and hallucinating less... The industry is moving from non-specialized AI to AI trained on legal materials, designed to tackle specific, complex legal problems.” “AI is also getting much better and hallucinating less... The industry is moving from non-specialized AI to AI trained on legal materials, designed to tackle specific, complex legal problems.” Harvard Law School Harvard Law School Harvard Law School This underscores the importance of developing AI systems that are not only efficient but also fair and transparent. Economic Impact Economic Impact The integration of AI into professional sectors is poised to have profound economic implications. While AI can enhance efficiency and reduce costs, it may also lead to job displacement in certain areas. However, some experts argue that AI will create new opportunities and roles, particularly in areas requiring human empathy, creativity, and complex problem-solving. The challenge lies in managing this transition to ensure that the workforce is prepared for the changes ahead. "The integration of AI into the economy is expected to create both disruptions and opportunities. By 2030, AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy, with healthcare and professional services among the largest beneficiaries." "The integration of AI into the economy is expected to create both disruptions and opportunities. By 2030, AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy, with healthcare and professional services among the largest beneficiaries." "The integration of AI into the economy is expected to create both disruptions and opportunities. By 2030, AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy, with healthcare and professional services among the largest beneficiaries." PwC PwC PwC Conclusion Conclusion Elon Musk's predictions about AI's future role in medicine and law highlight both the potential and challenges of this transformative technology. As AI continues to evolve, it is crucial for stakeholders, including technologists, policymakers, and the public, to engage in meaningful dialogue about how to harness AI's benefits while mitigating its risks. The future of AI is not predetermined; it will be shaped by the choices we make today.

Elon Musk Predicts AI Will Surpass Doctors and Lawyers: Are Humans the New Backup for Intelligence?

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