I’d love some feedback on the abstract for a paper I’m working on focused on demonstrating how the formal method of systems analysis developed by George Mobus can be usefully applied to Bitcoin.
Are you intrigued? What questions come up for you while reading? Are you excited, or are you skeptical about the value of this research?
Systems analysis can help society engage in productive conversations about how to wisely integrate blockchains into the fabric of the global political economy. These conversations are needed because blockchains are gradually being adopted by some of the world’s most influential governments, institutions, and brands. While information about blockchains is abundant, it is still difficult for most people to quickly develop a sense of how they work and what they can do. We propose a novel form of systems analysis to facilitate greater understanding of Bitcoin, the original blockchain. The formal methodology guides analysts through a process of system identification, boundary and environmental analysis, and recursive decomposition. The end result is a structured knowledgebase from which a variety of models designed for different audiences can be quickly generated. This analysis can serve as a foundation for systemic analysis of the broader ecosystem of blockchain-based technologies. This is necessary to ensure that technologists, policymakers, and everyday citizens are equipped with the knowledge necessary to engage in principled discussions about this transformative new technology.