@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
2−sort: 7
2+date: ~2016.6.24
4title: The DAO as a lesson in decentralized governance
4title: The DAO as a lesson in decentralized governance
5author: Curtis Yarvin
5author: Curtis Yarvin
@@ -12,14 +12,12 @@ navpath: /
13navclass: urbit
13navclass: urbit
16−# The DAO as a lesson in decentralized governance
18What's the right lesson for the decentralization community to
16What's the right lesson for the decentralization community to
19learn from the collapse of the DAO?
17learn from the collapse of the DAO?
21Perhaps the simplest lesson is that even decentralized networks
19Perhaps the simplest lesson is that even decentralized networks
22−need governments, and have governments. Every network is a
20+need governments, and have governments. Every network is a
23state. Every state has a government.
21state. Every state has a government.
25## Decentralization theater considered harmful
23## Decentralization theater considered harmful
@@ -63,7 +61,7 @@ clue is that before the DAO hack, everyone swore great oaths to
63"the steadfast iron will of immutable code." Methinks the lady
61"the steadfast iron will of immutable code." Methinks the lady
64did protest too much. But these oaths make rolling back the DAO
62did protest too much. But these oaths make rolling back the DAO
65blatantly illegitimate.
63blatantly illegitimate.
67From a governance perspective, the line of lawlessness isn't the
65From a governance perspective, the line of lawlessness isn't the
68line between soft and hard forks. It's any fork which makes an
66line between soft and hard forks. It's any fork which makes an
69exception for a specific address. Ethereum has already done this
67exception for a specific address. Ethereum has already done this
@@ -217,7 +215,7 @@ understanding of its capabilities and limits.
217A rollback acknowledges this. It acknowledges that Ethereum
215A rollback acknowledges this. It acknowledges that Ethereum
218wasn't ready for complete self-government, and *someone* needed
216wasn't ready for complete self-government, and *someone* needed
219to have stopped the DAO from trading. It's not quite clear what
217to have stopped the DAO from trading. It's not quite clear what
220−the principle behind the rollback was
218+the principle behind the rollback was
222Perhaps the best kind of DAO rollback would be a rollback which
220Perhaps the best kind of DAO rollback would be a rollback which
223understood this error fully, and acknowledged that -- for the
221understood this error fully, and acknowledged that -- for the
@@ -302,7 +300,7 @@ well-engineered, high-quality smart contracts like Augur and
302Maker, but just its own equivalent of 1789. If Ethereum needs a
300Maker, but just its own equivalent of 1789. If Ethereum needs a
303government, it must govern itself. It certainly has all the
301government, it must govern itself. It certainly has all the
304technical tools it needs!
302technical tools it needs!
306Or, of course, it could just let the hackers win. This is the
304Or, of course, it could just let the hackers win. This is the
307easiest path. And in the end, it may still be the best. War,
305easiest path. And in the end, it may still be the best. War,
308who needs it?
306who needs it?
@@ -322,9 +320,15 @@ from the network.
322Whatever institution signs these updates is, by any standard, an
320Whatever institution signs these updates is, by any standard, an
323absolute government. It's as if the Ethereum Foundation could
321absolute government. It's as if the Ethereum Foundation could
324push a hardfork of all clients by signing the new code on the
322push a hardfork of all clients by signing the new code on the
325−blockchain. Getting out of this situation is a long-term goal --
323+blockchain. Getting out of this situation is a long-term goal --
326where "long term" means years. Decentralization is hard.
324where "long term" means years. Decentralization is hard.
328Read our [interim
326Read our [interim
329constitution](http://urbit.org/posts/constitution) and our
327constitution](http://urbit.org/posts/constitution) and our
330[beliefs and principles](http://urbit.org/posts/principles).
328[beliefs and principles](http://urbit.org/posts/principles).
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