Beginning with the failure of the NAFTA Mutual Recognition of Professional Engineers followed by an introduction to modern cryptocurrencies, this seminal presentation specifies a future where engineering knowledge represented by a virtual asset may store true intrinsic value.
This presentation was filmed at the 2015 National Society of Professional Engineers Annual Conference, Advanced Leadership Track, July 16, 2015 in Seattle Washington. Daniel Robles, PE, MIB is the founder of Coengineers, PLLC and The Ingenesist Project
Abstract
The Bitcoin Protocol And The Future Currency Impact On The Engineering Profession
In a Wall Street Journal essay, two authors wrote, “The digital currency known as bitcoin is only six years old, and many of its critics are already declaring it dead. But such dire predictions miss a far more important point: Whether bitcoin survives or not, the technology underlying it is here to stay.” This session will cover what digital currency means for the engineering profession.
“Decentralization” is a term being applied to platforms that use the Blockchain Protocol pioneered by Satoshi Nakamoto, the inventor of Bitcoin. As a cryptographic currency, Bitcoin remains problematic. However, as an algorithmic protocol, blockchain technology will enable society to cheaply perform common business processes that are now controlled by institutions such as banks, insurance companies, corporations, government, etc. Today, rapidly emerging platforms are under development to bring “smart contracts” (algorithms based on blockchain technology) into the mainstream.
An important and essential variant of smart contracts is called an “Adjudicated Smart Contract” that requires an independent 3rd party adjudicator that would “flip the switch” on algorithmic agreements in finance, insurance, and decisions of governance. There is a staggering opportunity ahead for the engineering profession to position itself for the role of the adjudicator in a wide variety of important and high value transactions. The caveat is that we too must change the way that we organize ourselves.
This presentation, Decentralizing the Engineering Profession, begins with the failure of the NAFTA MRD followed by an introduction to blockchain technologies, and ending with specifications on how our profession can jump to the top of the value chain in the era of Social Capitalism – if, and only if, [the engineering profession] can choose to change.
Bernd
Thank you for this “fairly dense lecture”. I am struck by enlightening and got to read your earlier summary at https://ingenesist.com/engineering-as-adjudicator-of-smart-contracts/
With all the context the MC and yourself provided, I finally got he story.
Want to prepare my Curiosume. Where do I start?
Want to work with the wiki wizards. Where on the web?
In the summary you say “As a third party adjudicator of traditional contracts, the engineer flips the switches of money transfer to infrastructure projects (and much more), upon compliance with a legal contract. … All engineers must be elevated to the position of financial instruments and interact directly with the Banking and Insurance companies.” That is what Conformity Assessment and Certification Bodies with the attached system for accreditation are there to do.
I see an additional three-legged stool labeled Economic Development with Engineers being one pillar. The other two being Artists (or visionaries) and Makers. How could this role take advantage of the new opportunities?