Blockchain and Beyond: Understanding Blockchains through Prototypes and Public Engagement

D.S. Murray-Rust, Chris Elsden, Bettina Nissen, Ella Tallyn, Larrissa Pschetz, C Speed

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

8 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This paper presents an annotated portfolio of projects that seek to understand and communicate the social and societal implications of blockchains, DLTs and smart contracts. These complex technologies rely on human and technical factors to deliver cryptocurrencies, shared computation and trustless protocols but have a secondary benefit in providing a moment to re-think many aspects of society, and imagine alternative possibilities. The projects use design and HCI methods to relate blockchains to a range of topics, including global supply chains, delivery infrastructure, smart grids, volunteering and charitable giving, through engaging publics, exploring ideas and speculating on possible futures. Based on an extensive annotated portfolio we draw out learning for the design of blockchain systems, broadening participation and surfacing questions around imaginaries, social implications and engagement with new technology. This paints a comprehensive picture of how HCI and design can shape understandings of the future of complex technologies
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages73
JournalACM Transactions on Computer - Human Interaction
Volume19
Issue number5
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Blockchain and Beyond: Understanding Blockchains through Prototypes and Public Engagement'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this