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

Lex Fridman Lex Fridman 3/15/21 - Episode Page

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