The Blockchain and Us is a thought-provoking documentary released in 2017, directed by Manuel Stagars. The movie delves into the technology behind the blockchain and explores its potential impact on the world. The film provides a comprehensive introduction to the blockchain, explaining how it works in detail and exploring the philosophical underpinnings of the technology. It features interviews with leading figures in the blockchain world, including David Birch and Perianne Boring.
Throughout the documentary, the viewer is taken on a journey to explore the different applications of the blockchain. From financial transactions to voting systems, the film shows how this technology can revolutionize a wide range of industries and even have the potential to create a more equitable society.
The blockchain is typically associated with cryptocurrency, and the movie does not shy away from exploring this aspect of the technology. It provides a brief history of Bitcoin, the world's first cryptocurrency, and explains how the blockchain was developed to enable the transfer of digital assets securely and efficiently.
However, the film is about much more than just cryptocurrency. It shows how the blockchain can be used to create new models of governance, potentially removing the need for intermediaries such as banks and lawyers. The idea is that a decentralized system based on the blockchain could enable more transparent and democratic decision-making.
The documentary also explores the potential impact of the blockchain on the economy. The technology has the potential to enable new business models and disrupt existing ones. However, it could also lead to significant job losses, particularly in industries such as finance and law.
The film does an excellent job of balancing the optimism surrounding the blockchain with a critical perspective. It acknowledges the many challenges that the technology faces, such as scalability, energy consumption, and the need for regulatory frameworks. It also highlights potential ethical concerns around privacy and security.
One of the strengths of the documentary is the way it presents technical information in an accessible way. Even viewers unfamiliar with the blockchain will come away with a basic understanding of the technology and its potential impact.
The interviews with experts in the field are insightful and engaging. They provide a range of perspectives, from those who see the blockchain as a revolutionary technology to those who are more skeptical of its potential.
Overall, The Blockchain and Us is a thought-provoking and informative documentary that will appeal to anyone interested in emerging technologies and their potential impact on society. It presents a balanced view of the blockchain's potential, acknowledging both the benefits and the challenges the technology faces.
The Blockchain and Us is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 31 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.9.
