Vitalik Buterin on "The Portal", Ep.

[@RohitFenn]

What an era to be alive, us mere mortals get a front row seat to this conversation. Vitalik is an absolute legend. I'm going to override my circadian rhythm and stay up listening to these geniuses exchange mouth sounds.

[@willielast]

ok calm down

[@paf2587]

@@willielast DEAD

[@damienwins6185]

@@willielast HAHAHA. I see where he's coming from. Basically: Try to sound smart and pretend to understand.

[@jonhart4563]

If you consider them to be above you then you've lost already. Yes they may have more power in the mind then you. That doesn't equate to understanding wisdom discretion. Respect but never idolize or allow yourself to think others know best.

[@Ryan-xq3kl]

I 100% agree with the sentiment of this comment, amen

[@jdcamtam]

This guy was the voice of every computer from 1992 - 2001.

[@ViralKiller]

without the "nyeeeeeeee"

[@stockrt]

Aannnndddd

[@jbtvt]

Figured it'd be here, my thought as soon as he opened his mouth

[@ascotclark]

I was searching for this comment or something like it to do with his Hawking-like voice! :D

[@stellaborealis4846]

Oh shit ! It’s true! ROFL 🤣

[@codynemeth6395]

Ok I take it back, THIS is my favorite episode of the portal lol I feel like I got a condensed college education in an hour and a half. Moar plz

[@INeedsMoneys]

Vitalik is straight brain gymnastics! I LOVE IT!

[@jedlee2194]

Cody Nemeth put that on your resumé

[@SlippinJimmy4Life]

This is one of my all time favorite interviews I've ever listened to in my life

[@LetsFindOut1]

just nonstop amazing guests I never knew i needed to listen to. perhaps jordan peterson discussing jung/religion, anything of you discussing math/physics, elon musk, david berlinski, noam chomsky... are all at the top of my list.

[@jacquelinerendell]

It sounds to me like Vitalik is the voice behind Radiohead's "Fitter Happier" track.

[@anastasiawhite7482]

An interview like this brings the best out of vitalik because the interviewer is highly intelligent

[@Matt-yp7io]

the difference is stark after watching lex !

[@lillyanp4]

@@Matt-yp7io 💯💯

[@Parallelwurlds]

Perfect observation. You can see his cogs turning

[@jdivision79]

Eric talks too much. Just ask questions

[@yoloswag6242]

@@jdivision79 I prefer him elaborating because he gets deeper with the question.

[@tractatusviii7465]

"is a blockchain fork an EMOTIONAL ISSUE for this community?" Oh, Eric. The depths unplumbed!

[@twstdelf]

Vitalik was a great guest, I'd love to see him on again! Great show (as always).

[@redghost289]

Glad that we're catching up with the audio podcast.

[@909sickle]

First time I've seen Vitalik talk to someone who understands math and economics..

[@robertwright8844]

you should check out his interview on the 80,000 hours podcast

[@tinna7004]

Eric Weinstein may understand theoretical math but when it comes to economics he pretends to know more than he does, and he definitely has no idea about coding or cryptocurrencies beyond superficial stuff he read about. It becomes very clear over the course of the interview. His questions often don't make any sense and a lot of time is wasted by Vitalik giving commonplace answers to such confusing questions out of politness, which makes the whole thing boring to listen to.

[@andyb6851]

@@tinna7004 You do know what Eric's current job is, correct? If you still stand by your argument that he doesn't know that much about economics, please point to people who do so that we can go learn from them.

[@brainbuttr5054]

@@tinna7004 Yes, Buterin was teaching him some basics. It's refreshing to see school dropout millennials make extremely educated boomers look a little dumb.

[@mattabraham3549]

Brainbuttr and if Weinstein is any kind of gentleman, he is totally fine with that occurring here

[@loopholethebagman1752]

those is high iq vocals

[@dabidoe]

hahaha i'm stealing that bar

[@tommymc7535]

Who’s here after Record high of 2,600?

[@lillyanp4]

DEFINITELY 💯😂

[@GravityGamingCo]

smorter

[@KirillSkobelev]

I feel stupid. Love it.

[@cleitongbr]

voce e lixo 🖕🏻

[@r0ckstardev]

Get Rekt Kirill

[@User0resU-1]

Weird, I feel smarter than before. But don't ask me to explain anything.

[@inappropriatern8060]

God damn this show makes me wish I knew more things

[@Ryan-kf6xu]

Spend one month looking into what's talked about on a given subject, and you will know dramatically more, and feel the results

[@AirSandFire]

Don't worry, not your fault, Vitalik is a snake oil salesman who makes things sound much more complicated than they really are.

[@Brian-vk1hm]

Da faq are you talking about?

[@nicetrymate813]

@@AirSandFire what are you talking about? How is he a snake oil salesman?

[@Rodrigo-tk2fm]

Vitalik humbles me that way as well

[@therocinante3443]

Look at Eric go, episodes of The Portal are flying out of there! This makes me very happy, the more the better!

[@MichaelMerritt]

Very cool to see so many brilliant guests on here, Vitalik will go down in the history books.

[@facesmelt9903]

If you put this guy in a conversation with Nick Bostrum, it would NOT pass the Turing Test

[@matty1195]

Funny stuff, Lost me on the Nick reference but I am assuming it's all good... No doubt he would be hard to pick out in a voice lineup with a Commodore 64 .

[@alexandria5758]

Lol who Eric or Vitalik

[@pavelsokov]

lfmao

[@AllanClayton1]

well, it would but the tester would be HIGHLY suspicious

[@facesmelt9903]

Bob who do you think?

[@daveshiroma]

More impressive is that within 10 minutes he asked Eric to question his models...a very nuanced mind

[@sommi888]

❤️💙💚 It’s easy to get confused here. For anyone wondering what a “Public Good” means.. In Economics we use examples such as #1 - Street Lights, and #2 - Radio Waves You can’t divide a street light up or control who benefits from it, as the light is up for everyone. Same as radio waves, everyone can tune in And with a “Public Good” it’s essentially free. This is the relation to a Public Blockchain. A good that exists and doesn’t discriminate who can use it. These guys went straight to the complex stuff... we are just dumb apes hehe Hope this helps with your understanding. ❤️💚💙

[@donnah8560]

It did help ... now can you explain everything else?! LOL

[@IndagatorAD4]

Such a brilliant conversation and much appreciated. Thank you both.

[@ytytboy]

And even more impressive that this is his second language!

[@immanuelkant7895]

No lol

[@ytytboy]

@@immanuelkant7895 Ok :) I am sure you kan.

[@miscmisc3128]

not really. My friends and I are all in science and are polyglots. Get over it American

[@yes-vy6bn]

@@miscmisc3128 cringe.

[@Humanaut.]

He is revolutionizing the biggest sector in the game, threatening a trillion dollar industry while having a bedhead. More power to him.

[@Rodrigo-tk2fm]

While wearing no pants. Total legend

[@sojernon8689]

He scares me. With proof of stake he is creating a digital “country” where he is the sole oligarch.

[@Humanaut.]

@@sojernon8689 Not really, no.

[@noosewrld]

@@Humanaut. yes, really, yes

[@tensevo]

For anybody watching this for the first time be like, WTF: I am on my 4th wave of binge watching Vitalik, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021. The guy is totally unique, it is quite inspiring how he has completely broken the mould for what it means to be, well, a business tycoon. It is not that I agree or disagree with him about things, but, I just find he is in a totally different headspace, which makes me question my own core assumptions. Great stuff.

[@nfevelo]

Keep them coming Eric, we are with you.

[@Chaosdude341]

Goddamn, Eric. This may be the single most condensed, high level conversation I've ever heard. Thank you for this. You're doing work no one else can do, in a way no one else can.

[@pzee33hundo40]

It took a while, but at last an episode worth a thumbs up. No back patting, no talking about that time you got together to have conversations about having conversations, and none of Eric’s boring fu**ckin stories. Thanks

[@acangial1]

Eric, I love your podcasts. I am impressed, not just with your intellect, but your ability to ask really smart and interesting questions. I am usually able to keep up with all your discussions, even the unification debate with Garrett Lisi, but this one was over my head. Nonetheless, keep up the good work. This is my new favorite podcast.

[@JustinMakesVideos]

20:19 Eric: “I would love to get into you” Vitalik: “Mmmm”

[@mementomori8991]

Eric looking down after he realized what he said is hilarious.

[@ronaldvalenta493]

lovely "Freudian" Moment: not quite esay… to convey s.th. to s.o./ making an Impression on s.b. ("getting s.th. into s.o.") with this level of… integrity.

[@marvinpostadan3484]

Freudian slip

[@yoloswag6242]

Vitalik was genuinely considering it for a sec

[@thefakehenrywatson]

nice chat lads...first bare legs on the portal too!

[@IkeOg]

@@sleepless1587 😁😁

[@nicholas1254]

Every time they had a great point I would look up to the screen and think *squats and kettlebells* then lose the point that was just made.

[@MsMrshanks]

I came here from the Eric and Peter's podcast yesterday. Eric and I are impressed by this visionary named Vitalik. Look forward to the folow up.

[@Adama_Now]

this is a very unexpected guest - looking forward to this ep BIGTIME!

[@dstubby82]

"Im a pretty smart guy." *watches podcast* "NVM"

[@hilawes]

They're both on the spectrum and I'm grateful for that :)

[@partypat2375]

"Markets as social technology mentality rather than end of history mentality." Haha wow. A truly great economist must deeply understand human nature to understand the markets. Seems obvious when stated like that, but that is something that is often forgotten when discussing economics. Fantastic episode.

[@ZachMatics]

So happy there's finally more of your content available. You're one of the few minds that still make sense.

[@Existential8read]

Mr. Weinstein this podcast is an absolute pleasure. Please continue it in whatever way interests you most. You're providing tremendous value

[@NevenaNikolcheva]

I barely understand what these guys are talking about but I'm super happy with the podcast and and with the chanel ! thank you Mr Weinstein for doing this ! I absolutely love listening to any conversations led by you with any kind of person

[@jasonbouchard9233]

Eric interrupts so rarely, and when he does, it is just to bring the listener up to speed and to help his guest out of the weeds--skillful.

[@nelfish1234]

he talks way to much in my opinion

[@MaxOstap]

He has been getting a lot better. Episode with Riley Reid was the low point.

[@souliko27]

Sarcasm, I am hoping?

[@kunglaoofkucoin2503]

Thanks so much for interviewing Vitalik on the Portal. Loved it! I would love to see more interviews with people from the crypto community to help educate and inspire a wider community. Andreas Antonopoulos certainly has some compelling rhetoric.

[@Ro-ni7nm]

1:21:25 thankyou Eric for thinking outside the norm, extremely worthwhile objective.

[@ryanmoore2047]

I have ALL this dudes wierd but NONE of his intelligence.

[@LOL-hc5fv]

don't worry, he's not intelligent. he's universally called a scammer and one of the worst developers in the world.

[@bernardlowe5433]

@@LOL-hc5fv Except, that is not true? He is neither a scammer nor gets called one in any reputable blockchain dev community. I do not know how much code Vitalik actually writes, but I don't think he sees himself as an expert coder. He's more of an architect (of the blockchain tech). This requires skills like game theory, economics, cryptography, com-sci. That is a bit of a different skill from coding (which benefits from knowledge of multiple languages with different paradigms, understanding of types and perhaps even some category theory). Because the former is about designing a protocol, and the latter is about implementing that protocol is a particular language. This is totally okay. I mean, even people who started as expert coders often have to shift from actually programming to a more general type of tasks as the project grows. You have to operate on the forest level and not the tree level when you manage a big project. Look at Linus Torvalds, for example. He mostly oversees Linux development nowadays rather than writes code himself.

[@jussid2604]

​@@LOL-hc5fv yeah very humble and honest dude for u is a scammer?

[@xDMrGarrison]

Damn you got it rough :D

[@NineVisual]

God rekt you, GL next life.

[@thetankgarage]

Yeah I'll get to it but this isn't a background podcast so "I'll be back"

[@dropYourVideo]

"Background podcast" lol. Never thought to use that term. But i get ya.

[@originalAtreyu]

This podcast is definitely in the top 75% of portal podcasts

[@danp1471]

Well then I picked a hell of an episode to watch for my first portal podcast. There's so many I'll never be able to watch all the old ones so if you know of any other ones in the top 75% off the top of your head to check out I'd love to hear them.

[@originalAtreyu]

@@danp1471 episode 27 with Daniel schmachtenburger. Any time you get a chance to Listen to Daniel pay close attention

[@danp1471]

@@originalAtreyu can't say I ever heard of him. Looks like a long episode so I guess I know what I'll be listening to at work tomorrow. Only time will tell if I'll like it, but thanks for the recommendation none the less.

[@danp1471]

@@originalAtreyu was well worth the listen thanks

[@maxlieberman578]

We want David Deutsh! :)

[@akwstr]

YES!

[@xmathmanx]

You guys didn't catch him in the parallel universes? 😀

[@GaetanLeGac]

The quality of this interview is impressive

[@andrews3558]

I really enjoyed this episode, on the off chance that you read these comments Eric here is my suggestion for The Portal. Many of these conversations make me wish there was some sort annotation, glossary or appendix, because the closed captioning does a poor job at capturing some of the more complicated terms. Similar to Eric's symbology of math and how it relates to learning, I feel there could be a sort of symbology of vocabulary happening where I'm finding it difficult to know what some of the terms being used even are.

Fantastic job at coalescing different topics and characters through this podcast. Refreshing!

[@416dl]

I was hoping I'd be able to listen to this in a casual way while doing other things...wrong. But rather than shrugging and moving on, I am going to dedicate the time to listen for as much comprehension as I can muster, and I'm glad I can. cheers.

[@416dl]

A fresh morning and a second listen. I'm even more informed and impressed and further enlightened. Look forward to more from your guest.

[@vangeest]

Off the charts good. Next time 4 hour interview PLEASE PLEASE ❤️🙏❤️

[@CulllegLee]

Great host! Such a wonderful job! This is THE most in-depth conversation I‘ve ever seen about blockchain! I feel so grateful that these ideas can be spread throughout the world like this. Especially when you're in a regime where information is compromised.

[@cameronharmon3648]

I'm so glad you talked about the implications of blockchain, and alternative crypto-currency funding theories, in new sources of intellectual content. I've recently been theorizing the platforms that must be created to promote truthful, and competency based, content like podcast, articles, news, etc. Thank you for your powerful Insight!

[@TwelfthRoot2]

It would be really nice to have Chamath Palyhapitiya on the podcast.

[@claudiofontanive6430]

Amazing how empathic Vitaly is. It seems to me that he is already a "streem enterer" from past life's...

[@SorenHume]

Best podcast chat of all time

[@fernandoaguate5509]

I love the idea that publicity skills are half correlated with competence, that explains my low social status right now..

[@redfoolmoon44core39]

Great interviewer! At last someone who understands things and can interview on a proper level.

[@charlesfrey660]

Best interview yet, by both parties. Information explained than awkward scenarios. This is how an interview should work. This takes it to a new level. Old 60 Minutes. Eric, you get it. I forwarded this interview to my Millenial Nephews. They dont like your style, but respect your intellect. Not even an insult. Dont change a thing. Keep it Real and Keep it up. Easily one of my favourite interviews. Thank you.

[@isagenesi1326]

Excellent podcast thank you so much Eric. Looking forward to future episodes!

[@geteiff]

Best episode yet by far. You guys should do this monthly.

[@crystalroche2168]

Eric, please do solo podcasts where you expand on some of your views, especially on your research on immigration, your ideas about the EGO in various industries, and related topics. I think it would be beneficial for everyone to establish a better frame of reference with your conversations.

[@afterthesmash]

I'm never happier than when the conversation is deep enough to force me to slow down to 1.25×, but not so muddled or murky as to slow me down all the way to 1.0×. One thing, though: I pretty much pause the podcast at _every_ namedrop I don't already recognize for a five-minute Google search. It's unbelievable how much difference this small, strict practice makes in the long run to keeping up with the alpha dogs.

[@blakemcalevey-scurr1454]

Huh, thanks I can't believe I've never thought to make a habit of that. It's very easy to listen to hours of these conversations without absorbing anything deeply.

[@leedufour]

Thanks Vitalik and Eric!

[@jr8209]

Would enjoy a show with Nick Szabo for some counterpoint. Keep up the awesome podcasting!

[@Tagnar]

That talk was surprisingly easy to follow.

[@damienwins6185]

I'll openly admit that I'm trying to watch and listen.. moments later I'm checking my email or planning trades.. When I realize my distraction and begin to listen to these guys again, I'm quick to understand I am incapable...

[@jeffwilken7241]

...in which Eric reveals he is Satoshi Nakamoto.

[@harryheart6018]

It certainly sounded a bit like it, didn't it??

[@skyblue9991]

Honestly, It wouldn't surprise me. Lol

[@andrewfreeman88]

It's already known in the community to be Hal Finney

[@skyblue9991]

@@andrewfreeman88 That's just speculation. There's no real proof.

[@andrewfreeman88]

@@skyblue9991 There's much more than speculation...he's the #1 contender. Obviously, he wouldn't want people / gov to know thus hiding clear "proof"

[@mart7379]

Eric, thank you! For being you and all you do. Gives me hope (iota, but hope nonetheless)

[@mikep4216]

Eric: I’m loving the intellectual diversity in your roster as of late. Keep the conversations flowing.

[@BanDieter64]

Eric your concerns about bitcoin can basically all be solved with second layer solutions like the lightning network. And to some extend they already are. To give some examples: All transactions are recorded on public chain, the fact that every transaction needs to be settled on chain, that there are no local rules to resolve the double spending issue, ...

[@DvinTerestrial]

That Freudian slip had me dying for a good minute 😁 20:24

[@aidanhall6679]

😂😂😂😂

[@Kal-El_was_taken]

Keep these podcasts coming

[@AlexA-tl6kg]

Awesome... First person which actually made it seem that Eric was an interviewer instead of donkey carrying Eric's payload.

[@TheLiquidpsy]

Interesting! I didn't think i'd ever listen to an interview with vitalik that is not about ethereum.

[@Skimatik_DnB]

Amazing chat thank you 🙏

[@solarflair3613]

Vitalik has almost no ego, happy a person like that gets so big

[@Randelgraft]

1:00:20 "If you "grok" how to "walk" you get a lot. I loved this line.

[@danielbrooks7764]

Around 19:00 the assertion crypto replaces government monopoly of violence with coorperation is a bit of a stretch. Capital stores violence as potential energy, creating space for cooperation, at the expense of greater and greater risk of catestrophic failure. I think Vitalik is hiding the problem of war under a bunch of shells until most people can't find it. I like Eric's allusion to Clausewitz earlier ("continuation by other means"), and would like to see an interview with a military strategist on this show, in particular, retired General David Petraeus. Money buys security. It also buys other things, but we can't hand wave the threat of violence away. I comment as I watch, so if they clarify something later, my apologies.

[@gaulindidier5995]

You know what, that was a great addition to the conversation. Felt like saying it.

[@danielbrooks7764]

@@gaulindidier5995 it's a shame that a lot of great stuff gets buried in the comments section after all of the likes go to the people who comment first. Thanks, I appreciate it.

[@gaulindidier5995]

Daniel Brooks This is the type of conversation that should trickle down from those kinds of podcasts.

[@momoaraki7934]

Fun line of inquiry indeed!

[@ZippyonedaydeliveryCoUk]

I empathize with the interviewer completely when he says he feels he is being lied to by everybody in the institutions, other than that a very good discussion well above my intellect.

[@tednugent1351]

It's after 4am I couldn't stop listening.

[@ryPish]

I love how casually "Ted" was mentioned at the end, I wonder what Eric thinks about his anti-tech philosophy and how the current dirth of technological innovations might mesh with that mindset. It seems that you can get people to call into a podcast from prison, it's been done before... Just floating that idea out there!

[@crhu319]

Why not? Julian Assange too.

[@hooray_for_sam]

Love your channel. Keep the amazing interviews coming! My 🧠 loves them!

[@cfloyd199]

just found this. it was great. thankyou

[@mreman007]

What a combo!! Can't wait to watch this!!!!

[@redalertwagers]

That was pretty cool of him to invite Vitalik on the portal!!

[@personalfreedom2700]

Vitalik was clear and concise, to the point... Eric plays around with subjectivity and likes to spiral around in that space, trying to convince people around him that his conceptual framework is superior to theirs, often he tries to do this by attempting to purely exceed their vernacular... but vitalik is objective, builds real world solutions that actually work and changes the world in less time then it takes eric to postulate within the meanderings of his discourse.

[@joshsimpson10]

QUADRATIC FUNDING IS BRILLIANT AF I need some of that funding!

[@originalAtreyu]

You've really been rolling them out Eric! I'm really liking how this is accelerating

[@thexdesk4341]

Wonderful conversation thank you gentleman

[@danielj6880]

Considering that this guy did the voice for the Speak & Spell, he's aged very well.

[@babsico1]

Nicely done while also keeping the less technically savvy of us to follow through with relative ease!!👏👏

[@Bear8Photo]

wow, props for having Vitalik on.

[@taylorj6177]

God, I love this guy... Smart af, yet doesn't hesitate for a moment to pause and ask about something he wasn't quite sure of (what do you mean here by 'money racket?'). Mark of a creative and inquisitive mind.

[@edolboyy]

Thank you, Eric! Great interview

[@Brian0wns]

I heard this a few weeks ago when I was flying - what I loved about this podcast was how Eric went into Vitaliks view of the economy and economic theory as opposed to being a conversation just based on crypto which a lot of people would probably tune out. Hey Eric if you read the comments there are some other really interesting people in the crypto space... I would suggest Charles Hoskinson who actually worked with Vitalik on Eth, and started his own crypto called Cardano. The reason *you* would find it interesting is because this project has a lot of actual big math guys behind it. At any rate you should at least look him up and see if he is worthy of your presence.

[@jakemcfee6379]

Please release more portal episodes!

[@DrLimbic]

Saliently brilliant young man on the spectrum who attempts to model social interactions and governance structures in code. Problem for these large scale projects is reinventing existing power structures which require a good understanding of everything that exists. But, for a moment, imagine community is NOT the society and police is NOT the substrate?

[@surfacereflection8298]

So what?

[@groupchat2554]

The problem with this is that its not a mainstream academic idea that can be discussed in terms of trying to knit into a social study to gleem any citizen facing use in the realm of governance.

[@groupchat2554]

Also to the point of public goods or better common goods. State car insurance could be something one can approach the use of etheruem on because a vehicle type akd operator characteristics would essentially provide all the contract would need to know to put it into an actuarial table and spit out the Communist boot licking blood drenched number for your monthly credit amount which could be taken out as a property tax. Etheruem and blockchain is by far the biggest step man has taken in automating financial governance ever and will be the a contentious divide between the old way and the new wave of governance of the future. Private markets arenr what this is for its all public baby.

[@DrLimbic]

@@groupchat2554 where money supply comes from and fractional exchange are not very mainstream ideas either. There are a lot of academic ideas that are not mainstream having to do with gradual redistribution of wealth towards the top and attrition of the rights of citizen- workers ( Weinstein touches on this in his discussion with Harris). The problem is that our imperfect banking system is a result of thousands of little changes to the existing economic structure. Insofar as economics are an expression of social dynamics, it is a gradual social change. Buterin tries to simulate it and improve on it in various ways because he thinks he knows social dynamics. But as he may be aware, Kahneman et al opened up a can of worms when they upended classical economics, and this may be just the tip of the iceberg of all that we don't know about economics. Unless smart contracts are modeled in such a way as to evolve to absorb exceptions to the coded rules (which is antithetical to the definition of trustlessness), they will do more harm than good.

[@groupchat2554]

@@DrLimbic ive never heard of K, would you mind summing up what he found that upended some economic principles? The most interesting experiment in domestic policy and banking would be a federal rent cap for commerical and residential business. It would literally be thr first time in history that a whole democratic nation pushed capital down. Its been done in Syria where everyone had free housing. Im sure what leaders of Dictatorships prefer is different than what leadees of an Empire prefer at home which is free homes for the loyalist.

[@garrettmckeown1863]

Great episode

[@MehranJ]

Good on you sir! Very good dialog.

[@jmbstudio6873]

Eric is pure genius. Am I on his level? Not even close. Do I understand what he is saying? 110%.

[@jedlee2194]

Good guest