Proof of Work, a blog by Max Dovey

‘The contract is the code, it’s unstoppable code, it’s
unbreakable, it’s self-executing and autonomous — right up until
everything goes wrong.’ – Patrick Murck, a lawyer and researcher at Harvard University’s Berkman Center

Proof of Work, the term used to describe a method of validating transactions on the blockchain, is one of the most popular protocols that re-engineers the creation of value, authenticity and trust from a traditional organisation to a computer to computer network. It will also be the title for this blog, a proof of research into de-centralized technologies and emergent forms of network governance.

Proof of work will examine how cryptography converged from digital money to state governance and digital citizenship. Bitcoin, a digital money invented in 2009, was originally a weapon to destroy the banks but the underlying technology blockchain was merged into a de-centralized ledger to automate governance. Proof of work will document my research, interventions and performative interpretations in finance, economy and digital governance.

Debt Busting Community Bank

By Max Dovey, April 4, 2018

During the past fortnight an incredible project has been taking place in Walthamstow in North London, Hoe Street Central Bank is a community banking project that combines direct action, activism and members of the local community to address the debt crisis. The project, initiated by artists Dan Edelstyn and Hilary Powell seeks to eradicate £100,000,000 [...]

Who said the left can’t meme?

By Max Dovey, June 30, 2017

From Tactical Voting to Tinder bots – Technologists Changing UK Politics On the evening of 22nd June Newspeak house, a well needed community space for political technologists, hosted an ‘Election Tech Debrief’ where anyone could present what they had been working on for the UK General Election on June 8th. The surprise election, whilst catching [...]

Why I became a paying labour party member (again)

By Max Dovey, March 17, 2017

I have joined the Labour party. I have joined the labour party for a few reasons – one of them is that I am one of 900,000 uk nationals living abroad who face uncertainty in their international status when leaving the E.U. The labour international consistency has 2,400 members and half of them are based [...]