Code Nation: A Brief History of “Code is Law”

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Chainfeeds
15 hours ago
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Chainfeeds Summary:

In this world built by code, code is law, faith, and the ultimate arbiter. "Code is Law" is like an invisible chain that tightly binds this circle full of speculation, ideals, innovation, and chaos. It is the cornerstone of the crypto world and the soil that nurtures countless stories.

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https://x.com/cwweb3/status/1858431255265587237

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chao


Viewpoint:

chao: Over the span of 25 years, "Code is Law" has traversed an unexpected path. It has transformed from a warning against digital authoritarianism to the banner of cypherpunk resistance, and has continuously undergone testing, adjustment, and evolution in practice. The evolution of this concept reflects the deepening of our understanding of the digital world: initially, Lessig warned us that code could become a tool for controlling cyberspace. This concern remains profound today: technology companies influence users through algorithms, and in the AI era, an unsafe model could even bring devastating results; then, the cypherpunks turned this warning into action. Bitcoin has proven another possibility: code can not only restrict freedom, but also protect it; The DAO incident was like a mirror, reflecting the limitations of pure code governance. But this failure is not the end, but a new starting point. It makes us start to think: how should code and human society interact? The rise of DeFi has brought surprises: in specific scenarios, code can indeed be more effective than traditional rules. Automated market makers, flash loans, and uncollateralized lending - these innovations demonstrate the unique advantages of code governance; The evolution of DAOs is the most inspiring. From the dogmatic "code is law" doctrine to seeking a balance with the real world, this process reflects an important reality: at least for now, code cannot replace all other rules, but must coexist and complement them; The addition of AI has opened up new imaginative space. When artificial intelligence begins to autonomously operate on the chain, "Code is Law" may gain new dimensions. This is a new world created by code. It is not perfect, but full of vitality; it has flaws, but is constantly evolving; it is still young, but has shown the potential to change the world. It carries the promise of making the world more open, transparent and fair, even if this promise has not been fully realized, but every participant is pushing this promise step by step in their own way. This may be the most profound revelation of "Code is Law" over the past twenty-five years: it is not a perfect doctrine, but an ongoing experiment, a process of continuous exploration. In this world built by code, people are not only followers of the rules, but also creators of the rules. Every line of code written by people is shaping the future world.

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https://chainfeeds.substack.com

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Disclaimer: The content above is only the author's opinion which does not represent any position of Followin, and is not intended as, and shall not be understood or construed as, investment advice from Followin.
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