The Future of Research: Embracing Decentralized Science
Today, we're diving into a fascinating topic at the intersection of technology and science: Decentralized Science, or DeSci. This emerging field could revolutionize how we conduct, share, and develop scientific research."
Introduction to DeSci
DeSci harnesses the power of blockchain technology to create a more open and collaborative scientific environment. But what exactly is Decentralized Science? At its core, DeSci is about shifting from a central authority in research to a distributed, peer-to-peer system. This means no single entity has control over the entire research process, promoting a more democratic approach to science.
The Core Principles of DeSci
DeSci is built on four fundamental principles: decentralization, transparency, collaboration, and incentives. Decentralization reduces the gatekeeping often seen in traditional research institutions. Transparency ensures that methodologies and data are openly accessible, enhancing reproducibility and trust. Collaboration across borders becomes easier without institutional barriers. Lastly, incentives align the goals of individual researchers with the broader scientific community through tokens and IP rights."
In an interview with Balaji Srinivasan on the youtube channel Molecule, Alex LaBossiere asks what key factors holding back scientific research globally.
I think the fundamental thing holding back scientific progress is the chock point of the US Government. What I mean is you’ll often see people say. “Oh, basic research has to be federally funded. What about the internet? And the human genome?” and so on an so forth.
And it’s true! There’s been some great stuff that’s come out of, what I call the “centralized research establishment”. But there is this concept of seen and unseen. And there’s this concept also of crowding out.
So all of these funds that were appropriated and centralized with the federal government, all the research so generalized there, creates a certain school of though that comes where: it’s grants and it’s papers. There’s choke points that happen.
-Balahi Srinivasan
Exploring Decentralized Science with Balaji Srinivasan
How DeSci Works
Implementing DeSci involves several key technologies. First, blockchain provides a secure and immutable record of research data. Then, there are DAOs—Decentralized Autonomous Organizations—which manage governance and funding decisions democratically among researchers."
Imagine being part of a global network where you can contribute to, review, and fund research without needing an intermediary. That’s the promise of DeSci.
Benefits of DeSci
The benefits of DeSci are profound. It democratizes access to scientific research, allowing scientists from anywhere in the world to participate. Open access to data and results means that anyone can verify and build upon existing work, speeding up innovation.
I found an interesting discussion from a researcher named Kaitlin Cauchon, who is a co-founder of SCINET, a project focused on decentralized crowdfunding for life sciences research. Cauchon is optimistic about the potential of DeSci to democratize funding and improve the access and reliability of scientific research, particularly for those in underrepresented regions. She believes that DeSci can break away from the traditional academic funding model, which she views as flawed and limiting to scientific innovation (Cointelegraph).
Additionally, another promising DeSci initiative mentioned is ResearchHub, which is likened to a GitHub for science. It aims to create a platform for independent science where research can be freely accessed and peer-reviewed. The chief science officer of ResearchHub, Patrick Joyce, emphasizes that this platform allows even researchers in remote or developing countries to contribute and access scientific work without the traditional barriers imposed by high-profile journals (ethereum.org).
These examples illustrate how DeSci is being used to facilitate and empower research in diverse settings, including developing countries.
Challenges Facing DeSci
Despite its potential, DeSci faces significant challenges. Data security on decentralized networks, efficient governance within DAOs, and the scalability of blockchain technology are all hurdles that need to be addressed. Moreover, there's the digital divide—the gap between those who have access to digital tools and those who don't, which can limit participation.
Vincent Weisser recently had anan interview with Vitalik Buterin to discuss the intersection of science and cryptocurrency, focusing on the concept of "decentralized science."
Vitalik explained how decentralized technologies, such as cryptocurrency, can improve science and the institutions of science by allowing for more diverse funding and collaboration among people. He also mentions specific tools that can be used to fund and structure scientific projects.
Vitalik Buterin - Co-founder of Ethereum
The biggest problem is always that the public goods are chronically underfunded because it’s hard to create a business model for them. If you’re just a small actor and at a global scale (everyone is a small actor) then you only get, at most, a few percent of the benefit. Maybe even as a fraction or tiny percentage of the benefit of anything that you fund.
That is always the biggest problem, humanity has been stuck with it, and it’s a problem that is going to be hard to get past. But if you can get from funding things that have a ten thousand to one benefit cost ratio all the way down to funding everything that has more than a hundred to one benefit to cost ratio, that’s already a huge amount of progress.
-Vitalik Buterin
Vitalik Buterin on Decentralized Science, Aging, AI and Scientific Progress
DeSci represents a radical rethink of how we do science. As it evolves, it could lead to a more inclusive, transparent, and fast-paced scientific community. The journey of DeSci is just beginning, and it's one we will be following closely."
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