Vitalik Buterin on Decentralized Science, Aging, AI and Scientific Progress

Today we have a special one! In this episode, we have Vitalik Buterin as a guest, interviewed by Vincent Weisser. They discuss the intersection of science and cryptocurrency, focusing on the concept of "decentralized science."
Vitalik explains how decentralized technologies, such as cryptocurrency, can improve science and the institutions of science by allowing for more diverse funding and collaboration among people. He also mentions specific tools, such as quadratic funding and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), that can be used to fund and structure scientific projects.
He also highlights his current project, "Balvi", which is focused on addressing the COVID-19 situation and is funded by cryptocurrency. He also mentions the challenges of scaling up quickly and how this can be a good approach for established donors and talks about the use of technology such as DeSci and reputation systems to help solve the problem of determining who is trustworthy.
There is undoubtedly much more to be found in this episode and we hope you enjoy this conversation between Vitalik Buterin and Vincent Weisser. Make sure to skip between the timestamps below to find your favorite topics and learn more about the discussed topics through all the linked resources below.
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Some of the resources discussed.
- Vitaliks blog: vitalik.ca/
- Vitaliks twitter: / vitalikbuterin
- Decentralized Science Explainer ethereum.org/en/desci/
- Ending Aging book: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ending_...
- Science DAOs like: vitadao.com/
- Some of the projects he supported cryptorelief.in/, impetusgrants.org/, www.sens.org/, arcinstitute.org/
- Balvi (Pandemic Prevention): / 1522017142320685057
- Quadratic Payments by Vitalik: vitalik.ca/general/2019/12/07...
- DeSoc Paper by Puja, Glen and Vitalik: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.c...
- Progress: www.theatlantic.com/science/a...
- Network States: vitalik.ca/general/2022/07/13...
- RadicalxChange: www.radicalxchange.org/
- The most important century www.cold-takes.com/most-impor...
- Curveballs: pandemics, existential, risks from nuclear, ai, bio, wars
- Recommend reading: 80000hours.org/
- DeSoc x DeSci by Puja: • Puja Ohlhaver - Decent...
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Timestamps:
00:00 - 00:37 Intro
00:37 - 06:36 Vitalik's definition of DeSci and what he is most excited about.
06:36 - 09:32 Improvements to retroactive or quadratic funding.
09:32 - 11:30 Vitalik on DeSoc in the context of science (Decentralized Society).
11:30 - 12:51 What to build at the intersection of DeSci and DeSoc?
12:51 - 13:46 Which areas of Science is Vitalik most excited about?
13:46 - 17:17 How the Shiba Inu tokens actually funded Covid research.
17:17 - 22:40 Why crypto is such an excellent funding method.
22:40 - 31:00 Which learnings did he incorporate into other projects like "Balvi"?
31:00 - 38:33 What's holding back scientific progress, and what is he most excited about?
38:33 - 44:37 The most important century ever? Vitalik on AI progress, GPT4, the singularity, and existential risks.
44:37 - 46:47 What to build in the DeSci space?
46:47 - Vitalik's content recommendations in the science space.
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If you prefer listening to podcasts on audio apps, feel free to search for "The DeSci Podcast" on Spotify, Google Podcasts & Apple Podcasts. You'll also find all links to the podcast apps below.
If you want to join us on the show as a speaker or have guest ideas, please shoot us a mail at [e-mail]
Special thanks to:
Vincent Weisser (Host): / vincentweisser
Vitalik Buterin: / vitalikbuterin
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Let's connect:
Website: bit.ly/3d6nh2C
Twitter: / molecule_dao
Discord: / discord

[@heintess]

Tips for what to build at the DeSci London hackation is at timestamp 44:55. Good luck to all the builders!

[@sebastianaguiarbrunemeier9192]

Balaji x Vitalik discussion on the DeSci podcast next?

[@SirTenenbaum]

I really appreciate Vitalik's support for medical research on the biology of aging and organizations like Methuselah Foundation, SENS Research Foundation, and VitaDAO.

[@taopaille-paille4992]

What's the point of getting old more longer if you have white hair and cant have a hard one for most of your life

[@SirTenenbaum]

​@@taopaille-paille4992 This field aims to treat/prevent age-related ill health (dementia, cardiovascular disease, cancer, frailty, erectile dysfunction, etc.) by targeting aspects of the biology of aging.

[@sherajr]

Exciting talk! Working on my own little education project, I'll definitely put in a proposal to DeSci 🔥

[@vincentweisser1518]

We shared most of the resources discussed in the show notes :)

[@stuartreed37]

Great interview ❤️✌️

[@Justyboy93]

Great chat with VB! Stoked he was keen on SoulBound NFTs - only one project on eth chain doing that…. $Tyrant!

[@tomiwa1a]

"what if we fix aging?" I like opening with a bold statement like that.

[@morningscore]

Awesome video :)

[@Kurella-yr6sm]

Nice take on anti-ageing research and soulbound token, tyrant works atm at both topic and we will see soon great result how to found research with souldbound token

[@myslivietzz]

$LAKE 🚀

[@aubriekat8428]

THE Protocol

[@poobear4210]

Inspired by Vitalik Buterin on #the ethereum network.