#168 – Silvio Micali: Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, Algorand, Bitcoin, and Ethereum

Silvio Micali is a computer scientist at MIT, Turing award winner, and founder of Algorand. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:
- Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/lex and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil
- The Information: https://theinformation.com/lex to get 75% off first month
- Four Sigmatic: https://foursigmatic.com/lex and use code LexPod to get up to 60% off
- BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/lex to get 10% off

EPISODE LINKS:
Silvio's Twitter: https://twitter.com/silviomicali
Algorand's Twitter: https://twitter.com/Algorand
Algorand's Website: https://www.algorand.com/

PODCAST INFO:
Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8
RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/
YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman
YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips

SUPPORT & CONNECT:
- Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast
- Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LexFridmanPage
- Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman

OUTLINE:
Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.
(00:00) - Introduction
(08:55) - Blockchain
(11:52) - Cryptocurrency
(14:42) - Money
(18:56) - Scarcity
(20:37) - Scalability, Security, and Decentralization
(24:03) - Algorand
(40:36) - Bitcoin
(43:39) - Ethereum
(45:10) - NFTs
(48:34) - Decentralization of power
(52:42) - Intelligent adaptation
(55:25) - Leaders
(58:31) - Freedom
(1:01:31) - Privacy
(1:04:15) - Bitcoin maximalism
(1:08:01) - Satoshi Nakamoto
(1:12:39) - One-way function
(1:16:52) - Pseudorandomness
(1:21:34) - Free will
(1:23:39) - Will quantum computers break cryptography?
(1:28:44) - Interactive proofs
(1:35:38) - Mechanism design
(1:43:04) - Favorite meal
(1:46:18) - Book recommendations
(1:53:15) - Advice for young people
(1:55:48) - Fear of death
(1:58:29) - Meaning of life

Silvio Micali is a computer scientist at MIT, Turing award winner, and founder of Algorand. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:

– Athletic Greens: https://athleticgreens.com/lex and use code LEX to get 1 month of fish oil

– The Information: https://theinformation.com/lex to get 75% off first month

– Four Sigmatic: https://foursigmatic.com/lex and use code LexPod to get up to 60% off

– BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/lex to get 10% off

EPISODE LINKS:

Silvio’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/silviomicali

Algorand’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Algorand

Algorand’s Website: https://www.algorand.com/

PODCAST INFO:

Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8

RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/

YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman

YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips

SUPPORT & CONNECT:

– Check out the sponsors above, it’s the best way to support this podcast

– Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman

– Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman

– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman

– LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman

– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LexFridmanPage

– Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman

OUTLINE:

Here’s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.

(00:00) – Introduction

(08:55) – Blockchain

(11:52) – Cryptocurrency

(14:42) – Money

(18:56) – Scarcity

(20:37) – Scalability, Security, and Decentralization

(24:03) – Algorand

(40:36) – Bitcoin

(43:39) – Ethereum

(45:10) – NFTs

(48:34) – Decentralization of power

(52:42) – Intelligent adaptation

(55:25) – Leaders

(58:31) – Freedom

(1:01:31) – Privacy

(1:04:15) – Bitcoin maximalism

(1:08:01) – Satoshi Nakamoto

(1:12:39) – One-way function

(1:16:52) – Pseudorandomness

(1:21:34) – Free will

(1:23:39) – Will quantum computers break cryptography?

(1:28:44) – Interactive proofs

(1:35:38) – Mechanism design

(1:43:04) – Favorite meal

(1:46:18) – Book recommendations

(1:53:15) – Advice for young people

(1:55:48) – Fear of death

(1:58:29) – Meaning of life