From Ancient Roots to Digital Frontiers: Unraveling the Multifaceted History and Ecology of Cryptocurrencies

February 14th, 2024

Yathu Yoga

1Exploring Bitcoin's Origins: Tracing its journey from Ancient India and Greek influences to the rise of cypherpunks.
2Alternative History of Bitcoin/Cryptocurrencies: Unpacking a unique narrative beyond the mainstream understanding.
3Understanding the Crypto Ecology: Investigating where and how cryptocurrencies are developed and utilized globally.
4Identifying Key Players: Delving into who is shaping the cryptocurrency landscape.
5Deepening Cryptocurrency Comprehension: Addressing critical questions for a more profound understanding of crypto's essence.
6Current Landscape Analysis: Examining the historical, political, and economic factors impacting cryptocurrencies today.
7Anthropological Perspectives: Discussing crypto through the lens of culture, rituals, power dynamics, networks, and storytelling.

Money Worlds Collide: The Social Fabric of Cryptocurrency Exchange

February 28th, 2024

Anna Rohmann

1Exploring 'Money Worlds': Understanding cryptocurrencies as part of diverse 'money worlds' as conceptualized by Hayes.
2Social Life of Cryptocurrencies: Highlighting the significance of human interactions in bringing cryptocurrencies to life.
3Beyond Technology: Emphasizing the importance of social connections in both traditional and crypto exchanges.
4Anthropological Perspective on Crypto Exchange: Introducing a social view as an alternative to market liberal theories like those of Hayek and Friedman.
5Interconnectedness of Spheres: Demonstrating how economic, political, and social realms are intertwined, rather than operating in isolation.
6Ethnographic Insights: Sharing real-life experiences to illustrate the interplay of technology, ideology, and social interaction in crypto.
7Learning Outcomes: Expanding understanding of markets with a focus on their social components and contextualizing the role of crypto within the broader social meanings of market exchange.

March 13th, 2024

Annaliese Milano

1Role of Memes and Narratives: Examining how phrases like 'magic internet money', 'digital gold', and 'sound/ultrasound money' impact cryptocurrency valuation.
2Understanding Value Origins: Reflecting on what these memes reveal about the genesis of value in the crypto world.
3Power Dynamics in Value Creation: Analyzing who holds the power to define and create value within the cryptocurrency ecosystem.
4Crypto vs State-Sanctioned Value: Exploring how cryptocurrencies challenge traditional, government-backed concepts of value.

March 27th, 2024

Nick Almond

1Decade of Crypto Evolution: Tracing the speaker's journey from academia to becoming a full-time crypto founder.
2Early Crypto Promise: Reflecting on the idealistic visions of cypherpunks in the nascent stages of cryptocurrency.
3Industry Transformation: Observing the shift from decentralized ideals to the influence of centralized finance and the rise of meme economies.
4Cultural Dynamics in Crypto: Discussing the evolving narratives and cultural shifts within the crypto space.
5Token Economics: Exploring this new discipline as a pathway out of the chaotic early crypto phase into more stable, trust-minimized financial systems.
6Potential of DAOs: Examining how Decentralised Autonomous Organisations are reshaping organizational structures and influencing the real world.
7Overcoming Challenges: Acknowledging the scams and trivialities in crypto while recognizing its revolutionary potential.
8Learning Outcomes: Gaining an understanding of token economics and mechanism design, and developing awareness of the impact and potential of DAOs in real-world applications.