230. Eric "Zippy" Harris-Braun - Holochain, LLMs as grammar deducers and a new DNA for social organism
Eric "Zippy" Harris-Braun, founder of Holochain, had a conversation about Holochain, agent centric vs data centric blockchains, the power of Holochain as one of the components of the DNA for social organisms. We speak about money and why it is not a very wholesome storage of value. We speak of gramatic capacity and LLMs as grammar deducers, the importance of membranes as well as consent. We also speak about the weave as a new beginning for the decentralised web. Enjoy! Host: Amit Paul
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What does it take to create a new collaborative capacity?
Eric Harris-Braun came by the World of Wisdom 🎙️ Podcast EP230. We talk about Holochain and its underpinnings. This is one of those mind bending conversations where a small shift in basic assumptions changes everything.
Here are a few highlights from my side:
🌡 "He who must play cannot play". Holochain is (partly) a tool for creating rulesets for humans to experiment with how we collaborate. It doesn't start with data - instead it centers the 'agent' and their experience. To do that consent is critical. The implications are vast: e.g. the potential to move to a post monetary world - one full of many forms of value.
👄 "The world is a huge stack of conversations of different types operating under different grammars." Chemistry, biology, web protocols, actual language... these follow grammatical rules. Holochain is a technology for experimenting with new grammars for social interaction, a DNA for social organisms if you want.
🌀 LLM's as grammar deducers. Eric offers another perspective of what LLM's really are: What if the real promise of the LLM's is their ability to deduce (and then operate) under various grammars? What if there is a Cambrian explosion of cultures instead of a technological singularity?
This is a deep, philosophical, warm and practical conversation. Eric's perspective is truly inspirational and holds the intention of doing things different in the world as it is. Thank you Mary Camacho for the connect! Thank you Eric for an expansive conversation. Enjoy!
AI summary
Summary
Eric Harris-Braun discusses Holochain, a tool for creating decentralized social interaction contexts. Holochain allows for truly decentralized social interactions without the need for intermediaries. It is a technical solution that enables individuals to play by a set of rules without the need for an authority to enforce them. The goal of Holochain is to create a new grammatic capacity for social organisms, similar to how DNA functions for biological organisms. The Weave, built on top of Holochain, aims to create a social context that allows for the mixing and matching of different social games and functions. The conversation explores the history and mechanics of the internet, the role of measurement and data in decision-making, the potential of Holochain to interact with quality directly, and the importance of embodying feminist principles in technology. The discussion also touches on the challenges of starting from where we are and the need for democratization and empowerment. Eric Harris-Braun emphasizes the importance of relaxation, repurposing, and remembering in our current context. He invites listeners to explore Holochain, Holo, and the Weave to experience the possibilities of a decentralized web.
Takeaways
Holochain is a tool for creating decentralized social interaction contexts
It allows for truly decentralized social interactions without intermediaries
Holochain enables individuals to play by a set of rules without the need for an authority
The goal is to create a new grammatic capacity for social organisms, similar to DNA
The Weave, built on top of Holochain, allows for mixing and matching of social games and functions Understanding the history and mechanics of the internet can provide valuable insights into its utility and potential.
Measurement and data can be useful tools, but it's important to consider the limitations and biases inherent in the metrics we use.
Holochain offers the potential to interact with quality directly by allowing for the recording and sharing of different types of data.
Embodying feminist principles in technology is a challenging but important endeavor that can lead to more inclusive and equitable systems.
Starting from where we are and repurposing existing resources can be a powerful approach to creating meaningful change.
Relaxation, repurposing, and remembering are key elements in navigating the complexities of our current world.
Exploring decentralized web platforms like Holochain, Holo, and the Weave can provide new perspectives and possibilities for collaboration and innovation.
Sound Bites
"Holochain is a tool to create truly decentralized social interaction contexts"
"Holochain is an attempt at creating a new grammatic capacity that I would call DNA for social organisms"
"Holochain provides this ability to create little units of DNAs and run them"
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
03:19 Holochain: Enabling Decentralized Social Interactions
09:22 Creating a New Grammatic Capacity for Social Organisms
38:18 Unveiling the History and Mechanics of the Internet
45:08 The Role of Measurement and Data in Decision-Making
50:33 Interacting with Quality on Holochain
56:11 Embodying Feminist Principles in Technology
01:08:14 Starting from Where We Are: Repurposing and Creating Change
01:13:09 Relaxation, Repurposing, and Remembering in Our Current Context
01:17:51 Exploring the Potential of a Decentralized Web