Blockchain: Quantum leap forward or digital snake oil?

Blockchain: Quantum leap forward or digital snake oil?

Blockchain, the technology on which Bitcoin is based, has gone mainstream. Evangelists describe it as a thrilling and versatile foundation that will revolutionise everything from finance to governance. But is it really the radical new paradigm its adherents claim? We were joined on stage by Jamie Bartlett, one of the UK’s leading thinkers on the politics and social influence of the internet; Primavera De Filippi, expert on the legal challenges and opportunities of blockchain technologies and author of Blockchain and The Law; David Gerard, author of the news blog and book Attack of the 50 Foot Blockchain: Bitcoin, Blockchain, Ethereum & Smart Contracts; and Vít Jedlička, founder and first elected president of the Free Republic of Liberland, which aims to be the first country to base its government structure on blockchain technology. The event was chaired by BBC Economics Editor Kamal Ahmed. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/intelligencesquared. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episoder(1545)

An Evening with Alan Davies (Part One)

An Evening with Alan Davies (Part One)

Alan Davies is one of the UK’s most-loved comedians best known for starring in the BBC series Jonathan Creek, and for his regular appearances on comedy quiz show QI since 2003.  In September 2025 he ...

16 Jan 38min

How is Artificial Intelligence Transforming our Relationships? With James Muldoon

How is Artificial Intelligence Transforming our Relationships? With James Muldoon

It is over ten years since the release of Spike Jonze’s film Her, in which a lonely man begins a relationship with a computer programme voiced by Scarlett Johansson. Since then, AI companions have sur...

14 Jan 48min

Julia Ioffe and Clarissa Ward on Putin, Russia and the Women Fighting For A Better Future (Part Two)

Julia Ioffe and Clarissa Ward on Putin, Russia and the Women Fighting For A Better Future (Part Two)

Russian-born journalist Julia Ioffe is one of America’s most influential voices on Russia-US relations, reporting on Putin’s regime for over 15 years. Her new book, Motherland – which has been longlis...

12 Jan 37min

Julia Ioffe and Clarissa Ward on Putin, Russia and the Women Fighting For A Better Future (Part One)

Julia Ioffe and Clarissa Ward on Putin, Russia and the Women Fighting For A Better Future (Part One)

Russian-born journalist Julia Ioffe is one of America’s most influential voices on Russia-US relations, reporting on Putin’s regime for over 15 years. Her new book, Motherland – which has been longlis...

11 Jan 38min

Jonathan Freedland on The Secret Rebels who Defied Hitler (Part Two)

Jonathan Freedland on The Secret Rebels who Defied Hitler (Part Two)

Jonathan Freedland is a Guardian columnist, broadcaster, and author of the widely acclaimed book The Escape Artist which tells the remarkable story of Rudolf Vrba and fellow inmate Alfred Wetzler who ...

9 Jan 33min

Jonathan Freedland on The Secret Rebels who Defied Hitler (Part One)

Jonathan Freedland on The Secret Rebels who Defied Hitler (Part One)

Jonathan Freedland is a Guardian columnist, broadcaster, and author of the widely acclaimed book The Escape Artist which tells the remarkable story of Rudolf Vrba and fellow inmate Alfred Wetzler who ...

7 Jan 36min

The Remarkable True Story of The Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970’s, with Jason Burke (Part Two)

The Remarkable True Story of The Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970’s, with Jason Burke (Part Two)

In the 1970s, a network of radical extremists terrorised the West with plane hijackings and hostage-takings. Among them were the beautiful young Leila Khaled with her jewellery made from grenade rings...

5 Jan 35min

The Remarkable True Story of The Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970’s, with Jason Burke (Part One)

The Remarkable True Story of The Extremists Who Hijacked the 1970’s, with Jason Burke (Part One)

In the 1970s, a network of radical extremists terrorised the West with plane hijackings and hostage-takings. Among them were the beautiful young Leila Khaled with her jewellery made from grenade rings...

4 Jan 40min

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