Day 22 - Peer to Peer

“In the villages of Ghana, there is less of a need for insurance products and types of service. Because your community, if you treat people well, are your insurance.”

Powerful words were shared with me by a special friend, and they rang true. In our current stage of life, trust plays a significant role. It's not just a personal trait but also linked to the success of communities, leading to stronger volunteerism, healthier citizens, and true prosperity.

One of my earliest memories takes me back to Nigeria, where I recently stayed in my mother's village for a few days. I didn't particularly enjoy it as it meant being in the bush, without consistent access to power or hot water. We openly slaughtered our food, and various animals roamed freely. However, the people there seemed content, uninterested in the bustling city life I was accustomed to.

My first night there was quite the experience. I asked my mother, "Where's the shower?" She chuckled and showed my sister and me a large metal tub, surrounded by other pots being heated by women from the village. "We're going to boil the water and use it for hot water," she explained. Horror and disgust filled my face.

My aunt nearby laughed, referring to me as "Oyinbo boy," a term used to describe a white man from the West. My arrogant attitude towards the village lifestyle subjected me to ridicule from the elders. Looking back, I can laugh too. Our entire family shared that hot water for the night, starting from the eldest and going down to the youngest. By the time it was my turn, there was no water left. The rest of the trip unfolded in a similar manner, a culture shock not because of the lack of resources, but because of how people understood survival and the necessity of interdependence. It is a peer-to-peer system that the world could learn from; a concept I learned from the rules latent in the Bitcoin network.

Allow me to explain:

1. Peer-to-peer trust is rooted in the ability to keep promises, establish clear expectations, and foster a sense of reliability among community members. When individuals consistently fulfill their commitments and uphold their words, contractual trust flourishes.

2. Peer-to-peer competency relies on the knowledge and skills exhibited by individuals in their respective roles. It is crucial for each person to demonstrate proficiency and effectiveness in their tasks. Even a skilled communicator can lose the trust of their peers if they do not perform their job well. This aligns with the principles of Proof of Work discussed in yesterday’s post as it ultimately allows individuals to create value for themselves.

3. Permissionless opt-in. Anyone can participate automatically as long as they meet certain predefined conditions. This is inherently a decentralization which displays a true representative democracy, where individuals have the ability to create and share value as they choose.

Reflection:

We often think about the idea of “comfort” quite fondly. Yet, the human experience proves over and over again that we tend to grow, mature and build character most prominently in situations of discomfort.

Practice:

Fasting stretches our comfort limits when it comes to food and challenges us to consider the other areas of our lives where we have become complacent. Consider pushing yourself and your modern comforts. Sleep outside in a tent in your backyard. Take a cold shower. Turn your phone off for an extended period. Get creative; only you truly know which level of discomfort will lead to personal growth.