June16 Week 3

Welcome to Week 3!

Last week focused on Bitcoin so this week we are getting to the infrastructure that lies beneath it all.

By now you should have made your way through Pages 1 to 52 in the Blockchain Revolution.

Now read Pages 75 - 114. So let's start with...

Seguing from Bitcoin to the Blockchain...

The Blockchain Explained (~ 6 min. video): https://youtu.be/YIVAluSL9SU

The video above gives you a good overview of the blockchain and its potential value.

Blockchain is simply a way that data, content, or information is packaged, stored and transferred. Much like the PDF format, which allows you to insert pages, images, and videos inside the PDF wrapper. The difference is that the Blockchain is heavily encrypted and is part of a distributed database that updates roughly every 10 minutes.

Another good resource to visit is the Blockchain Futures Lab http://www.iftf.org/blockchainfutureslab/

The video below visits the blockchain again, but it shorter and probably more visually appealing than the video above.

Week 3: Readings and Resources

Distributed Ledger Technology: beyond block chain (A report from the UK Government Chief Scientific Adviser) Pages 5 - 7, 17 - 24.

What does Wikipedia currently have to say about Blockchain?

The great chain of being sure about things Economist (October 31, 2015

The title of this blog post is too good for us not to include it *smiles*

Bitcoin is the Sewer Rat of Currencies and here is the audio interview ( 49 mins).

Google Hangout Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Discussion Questions

1) Would blockchain technology or a distributed ledger allow for the right to be forgotten? https://www.theguardian.com/technology/right-to-be-forgotten

(Discussion During Hangout https://youtu.be/xjkA30gnRiQ?t=38m20s)

2) What’s your thoughts on the Bitcoin volatility? Is it the “book club bounce?”

(Discussion during Hangout https://youtu.be/xjkA30gnRiQ?t=4m25s)

3) Have you heard of Viv http://viv.ai/? What do you think? (Discussion During Hangout https://youtu.be/xjkA30gnRiQ?t=27m20s)

Viv, Siri Creator’s New AI Platform, Can Almost Think for Itself http://www.pcmag.com/news/344346/viv-siri-creators-new-ai-platform-can-almost-think-for-it

Quick Links to each Week