On April 25th, the reState Foundation hosted a virtual talk between Vitalik Buterin, co-founder and inventor of Ethereum, and Sadhguru, the founder of the Isha Foundation. The topic of discussion was the intersection of technology and human consciousness. Blockchain technology is transforming the way humans interact with the digital world. This has prompted conversations among thought leaders from within and outside the industry about the implications of emerging technologies on the human experience.
Buterin started the conversation by highlighting that the core of blockchain technology is centered around human coordination and interaction. He explained that blockchain technology can help different groups of people collaborate across large distances on various kinds of projects. Technology makes it easier for people to recognize complicated identities and connect with one another on common ground.
Sadhguru pointed out that there is a growing gap between the rate of technological evolution and the progression of human ethical and consciousness development, with the latter lagging behind. He attributed this to the need for humans to identify with a group. According to the Indian mystic, this need for self-identification surrenders intelligence to “protecting and defending the identity” of that group.
Sadhguru and Ethereum Co-founder take
The Ethereum Co-founder agreed with Sadhguru’s assessment and added that emerging technologies would not solve all problems of users. But agreements and disagreements in the space have the potential to result in “realized cooperation” and learning opportunities. He believes that these are the kinds of ideas that people in Ethereum and related communities really care about.
Both speakers emphasized the importance of proper usage of technologies like blockchain. They pointed to the fact that humans are the “highest level of technology” and that by being mindful of this, we can improve the way we interact with technology. They believe that blockchain technology when implemented as a tool for greater understanding and raising human consciousness, can have a positive impact on the world.
As these new technologies continue to take precedence in the lives of users and in systems around the world, it is important to remember that humans are at the forefront of their development and implementation. The proper usage of blockchain technology will require a conscious effort to ensure that it is being used for the betterment of society. The Ethereum inventor encouraged listeners to be mindful of the role they play in this process and to use emerging technologies as a tool to improve the way humans interact with one another.
