Exit, Voice and Bitcoin
An iconic talk from Balaji Srinivasan kicks off a wide-ranging discussion about power dynamics and alternatives to consensus in our changing world.
ABOUT
Blockchain technology presents opportunities for dissonant opinions, fractionalization and internal reform unmatched in the fiat world.
Distribution for this episode on the CoinDesk Podcast Network is brought to you by CrystalBlockchain.com.
Join hosts Jonathan Mohan, Stephanie Murphy and Andreas M. Antonopoulos as they dissect “Voice and Exit,” or the power and necessity of being able to impact a system, whether financial, social or governmental, and if necessary leave altogether. “Voice and Exit” was popularized by Balaji Srinivasan in 2013, when Srinivasan outlined how voice is attempting to change a system from within, while exit is leaving to create a new one.
Crypto has provided new methods to exercise voice and exit. Forks, software or protocol changes to which users can choose to upgrade are an example of exit inherent to blockchain technology. Forks give the community a chance to decide whether to continue with the upgrade or remain in the old rules; forks have created spin-off currencies like bitcoin cash and bitcoin sv.
As opportunities for voice and exit seem to be gradually disappearing, can crypto help those who need them most?
Image credit: Wesley Tingey/Unsplash, modified by Speaking of Bitcoin
HOST
Adam B. Levine joined CoinDesk in 2019 as the editor of its new audio and podcasts division. Previously, Adam founded the long-running Let's Talk Bitcoin! talk show with co-hosts Stephanie Murphy and Andreas M. Antonopoulos.
Finding early success with the show, Adam transformed the podcast's homepage into a full newsdesk and publishing platform, founding the LTB Network in January of 2014 to help broaden the conversation with new and different perspectives. In the Spring of that year, he would go on to launch the first and largest tokenized rewards program for creators and their audience. In what many have called an early influential version of "Steemit"; LTBCOIN, which was awarded to both content creators and members of the audience for participation was distributed until the LTBN was acquired by BTC, Inc. in January of 2017.
With the network launched and growing, in late 2014 Adam turned his attention to the practical challenges of administering the tokenized program and founded Tokenly, Inc. There, he led the development of early tokenized vending machines with Swapbot, tokenized identity solution Tokenpass, e-commerce with TokenMarkets.com and media with Token.fm. Adam owns some BTC, ETH and small positions in a number of other tokens.

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