Chapter 2: Blockchain. Block What?!

In which Manoush and Jen explain the blockchain. Finally.

Jen and Manoush discover the premise and promise of blockchain technology. Turns out it could accomplish a lot more than just making Bitcoin speculators stupid rich. But now they have a LOT of questions. Should they stake their careers on the blockchain? How can they explain it without sounding like techno-utopians who have bought into a pyramid scheme? And anyway, can the blockchain really upend how society works...AND fund Manoush and Jen’s company? Most importantly, can this episode really explain, simply and clearly, what the hell the blockchain is and how it works?

Listen to ZigZag on Apple Podcasts.

GO DEEPER:
If your interest is piqued, read the excellent Steven Johnson article explaining blockchain. Why Megan Tan decided to stop making Millennial. Eventually you may really own your medical records, text money abroad, know your diamond is truly conflict-free. This is what Joe Lubin looks like. The Daily Show’s Ronny Chieng launches his own cryptocurrency. Check out the "newsrooms" that have already launched on Civil*: Sludge, Documented, Block Club Chicago. How to tell the amazing Blockchain Guitar Man that you love him.

Credits:
David Herman, Audio Engineer and Composer 
Martin Austwick, Music and Vocals
Kat Aaron, Digital Producer
Illustrations, Alice Rutherford
Jordan Lauf, Intern

*Episode clarification note: Joe Lubin is the founder of ConsenSys, which is funding Civil. They have no editorial oversight of Stable Genius Productions or ZigZag.