All big breakthroughs in tech start with decentralization.

[Summary]

In this episode, Ryan from teia.cafe explores the essential yet often overlooked link between decentralization and governance. He argues that while decentralization promises transparency and democratic control—exemplified by technologies like blockchain and DAOs—it cannot function sustainably without clear governance structures.

Ryan contrasts the current tech landscape, dominated by founder-led "dictatorship" startups favored for speed, with the collaborative, consensus-driven models of early internet projects like TCP/IP, DNS, and open-source software. These pre-crypto systems thrived precisely because they had explicit, multi-stakeholder governance (e.g., IETF, W3C, ICANN).

He warns that many recent crypto and Web3 projects have neglected genuine governance, opting for centralized control disguised as decentralization. When token distribution or mining power becomes concentrated, the system reverts to a centralized model, undermining community trust and long-term viability. Drawing from his experience with Tezos and the artist collective TEIA, Ryan demonstrates that functional, transparent, and verifiable on-chain governance is not only possible but critical for survival—especially as market hype fades and projects must stand on their actual technology and community.

The episode concludes by connecting these lessons to the broader tech cycle, including AI, noting that transformative technologies start open and decentralized but require deliberate governance to endure beyond speculation and achieve lasting impact.

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teia.cafe | Decentralized Radio
teia.art | Arts Collective on Tezos
teia.art/ryangtanaka | Ryan's Music and Artworks


Sustainable Music Northwest (Seattle) | Public Music Concerts and Fair Wages for Musicians [https://www.sustainablemusicnw.org/]

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