Engineering Solutions For The Digital Age

Explore insights from our team on systems engineering, governance, and emerging technology. Below you’ll find our latest articles and updates. For deeper dives into our work, visit our research archive or follow us on Medium.

Architecting Knowledge Organization Infrastructure

December 19, 2024

Video: Dr. Zargham presents a systems engineering perspective on how we design, implement, operate & govern knowledge organization infrastructures.

KOI Network Protocol x Interlay

Video: Digital Infrastructure research & development for decentralized & interoperable knowledge systems: KOI Network Protocol x Project Interlay.

Computer-Aided Governance — A Revolution in Automated Decision-Support Systems

Using complex, adaptive, dynamic, Computer-Aided Design (cadCAD) tools to simulate, test & validate design decisions introduces a critical engineering iteration loop.

BlockScience as a Cybernetic Organization (Cyb-Org)

Institutional analysis exploring organizational cybernetics, systems thinking & viable systems models that inform BlockScience's functional architecture

KOI Network Protocol x Interlay

Video: Digital Infrastructure research & development for decentralized & interoperable knowledge systems: KOI Network Protocol x Project Interlay.

December 19, 2024

Architecting Knowledge Organization Infrastructure

Video: Dr. Zargham presents a systems engineering perspective on how we design, implement, operate & govern knowledge organization infrastructures.

October 28, 2024

Exploring Complex Systems Modeling with MAIDs, GDS & cadCAD

Read our article: 'Exploring Complex Systems Modeling with MAIDs, GDS & cadCAD' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

BlockScience as a Cybernetic Organization (Cyb-Org)

Institutional analysis exploring organizational cybernetics, systems thinking & viable systems models that inform BlockScience's functional architecture

Data Intermediary Networks

Research examines the emergence of data mesh architectures & data intermediaries as key components in emerging data economies & interoperable 'Data Intermediary Networks'

The Windfall Protocol: Blockchain-Based Infrastructure to Accelerate Building Retrofits & Energy Efficiency Initiatives

The Windfall Protocol collaborative research paper on the affordances of blockchain technology to improve building retrofit energy efficiency programs.

Arbitrum Expert Service Provider Network Program Development

Executive Summary of full report to constitute ArbitrumDAO program to target funding for ongoing domain expertise in pursuit of long-term goals.

Engineering for Legitimacy

Read our article: 'Engineering for Legitimacy' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

January 9, 2024

Knowledge Networks and the Politics of Protocols

Research & Open-Source Software Development: building tools that allow users to provision, operate, maintain, & govern instances of an application.

November 29, 2023

Launching an Open Source Library for Governance Modules on Soroban

The Governance Module Library is an open tool kit for governance, providing specifications, simulations, tuning & implementation guidelines, and use cases

November 20, 2023

An Introduction To: “Foundations of Cryptoeconomic Systems”

Introduction summarizing three (3) of the several perspectives presented as foundational knowledge for a proposed definition of cryptoeconomic systems

November 15, 2023

From Monoculture to Permaculture Currencies: A Glimpse of the Myco-Economic Future

A Glimpse of the Myco-Economic Future: Emulating Nature’s Evolutionary Resource Allocation Algorithms in Economic Systems Design

November 15, 2023

Ceramic Ecosystem Mapping Report

Read our article: 'Ceramic Ecosystem Mapping Report' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

November 14, 2023

The Story Behind Neural Quorum Governance

The Collaborative Ideation of Novel Mechanisms Through the Engineering Design Process

November 13, 2023

Objects as Reference: Toward Robust First Principles of Digital Organization

Towards first principles to guide, develop & understand new forms of digital organization & cyber-infrastructure in terms of objects as reference.

November 9, 2023

Introducing Neural Quorum Governance

Read our article: 'Introducing Neural Quorum Governance' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

October 16, 2023

Building With Blocks of Science

Read our article: 'Building With Blocks of Science' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

October 3, 2023

BSci Quarterly Newsletter — Q3 2023

Read our article: 'BSci Quarterly Newsletter — Q3 2023' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

September 18, 2023

Grant Program Announcement: Empirical Investigations of a Digital Frontier

Read our article: 'Grant Program Announcement: Empirical Investigations of a Digital Frontier' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

September 16, 2023

Automating Compliance and Security with Shield3

Read our article: 'Automating Compliance and Security with Shield3' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

September 1, 2023

A Language for Knowledge Networks

Developing digital infrastructure to support conversations between organizations & enable small specialized firms to outcompete large institutions.

August 22, 2023

Introduction to: “Economic Games as Estimators”

Read our article: 'Introduction to: “Economic Games as Estimators”' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

Block by Block: Managing Complexity with Model-Based Systems Engineering

Model-based systems engineering employs mathematical & computational modeling to design, analyze & build safe, effective & sustainable complex systems

An Algorithm is a Camera

Read our article: 'An Algorithm is a Camera' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

The Animating Purpose of BlockScience

Our animating purpose provides the impetus for individuals to coordinate collective action in pursuit of our shared mission, values & common aspirations.

Market Design Lessons for ‘Safety First’ Institutional Engineering

Read our article: 'Market Design Lessons for ‘Safety First’ Institutional Engineering' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

From Networks of Computers to Network Computers — and Beyond

Read our article: 'From Networks of Computers to Network Computers — and Beyond' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

BSci Quarterly Newsletter Q1

Read our article: 'BSci Quarterly Newsletter Q1' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

Flatcoins: Inflation-Adjusted Stablecoins

Read our article: 'Flatcoins: Inflation-Adjusted Stablecoins' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

From Curved Bonding to Configuration Spaces

Read our article: 'From Curved Bonding to Configuration Spaces' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

Exploring the Filecoin Termination Fee

Read our article: 'Exploring the Filecoin Termination Fee' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

Understanding the Filecoin Consensus Pledge

Read our article: 'Understanding the Filecoin Consensus Pledge' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

What Constitutes a Constitution?

On the structure & function of constitutions, highlight where the concept needs revision if such tools are to effectively guide blockchain governance.

Model-Based Institutional Design

MBID provides a powerful machine-readable framework to design & analyze institutions, & ensure adaptabillity & alignment with intended purpose.

Reviewing the FIP-0056 and CDM Debate on Filecoin

Read our article: 'Reviewing the FIP-0056 and CDM Debate on Filecoin' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

Simulating the Heights of Olympus: Analyzing Price Stability in the Mythic DeFi Ecosystem

Read our article: 'Simulating the Heights of Olympus: Analyzing Price Stability in the Mythic DeFi Ecosystem' to explore insights from BlockScience expe...

February 24, 2023

An Introduction to: “Governance as Conflict: Constitution of Shared Values Defining Future Margins of Disagreement”

Read our article: 'An Introduction to: “Governance as Conflict: Constitution of Shared Values Defining Future Margins of Disagreement”' to explore insig...

February 20, 2023

‘Computer-Aided Ethnography’ (CAE): Ethnography Using Computational Methods in the Field of Web3

Research methodology concept - Computer-Aided Ethnography- which builds on existing ethnographic approaches.

February 2, 2023

Disambiguating Autonomy: Ceding Control in favor of Coordination

Examines tensions & trade-offs between functional autonomy, political autonomy & subtypes (4): strategic, tactical, collective & individual autonomy.

January 24, 2023

Emerging Internet-Native Nations: A conversation with the Collective Subconscious — aka ChatGPT

Read our article: 'Emerging Internet-Native Nations: A conversation with the Collective Subconscious — aka ChatGPT' to explore insights from BlockScienc...

December 29, 2022

Celebrating 2022 - A Year in Review at BlockScience

Highlighting Innovative R&D Collaborations in Economic, Environmental and Social Impact Projects

December 5, 2022

Decentralised Technologies as “Self infrastructuring”

Read our article: 'Decentralised Technologies as “Self infrastructuring”' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

November 30, 2022

Autonomy & Autonomous Organizations

Read our article: 'Autonomy & Autonomous Organizations' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

November 22, 2022

About BlockScience

Read our article: 'About BlockScience' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

November 17, 2022

Computer-Aided Governance in Action: Steering Complex Systems Using the CAG Map

Case Studies (4) of Data-Driven Decision-Making in Cybernetic Organizations w/ Computer-Aided Governance (CAG) & CAG Map model.

November 7, 2022

Testing ARMMs in Production

On the risks and benefits of ARMMs for price discovery and trading using traditionally managed order-book markets as our baseline.

October 27, 2022

Complex Systems Modeling of Community Inclusion Currencies

Read our article: 'Complex Systems Modeling of Community Inclusion Currencies' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

October 5, 2022

The Ethnography of a ‘Decentralized Autonomous Organization’ (DAO):

This paper investigates how ethnographers can study ‘Decentralized Autonomous Organizations’ using qualitative, ethnographic techniques,

September 30, 2022

Gitcoin Grants Round 11 Anti-Fraud Evaluation & Results

Read our article: 'Gitcoin Grants Round 11 Anti-Fraud Evaluation & Results' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

August 29, 2022

Generalized Dynamical Systems Part I: Foundations

Four-Part Video Series of Academic Analyses on Generalized Dynamical Systems (GDS) a mathematical framework with applications to enforceable contracts.

August 22, 2022

The CAT’s Out of the Bag: Introducing Content-Addressable Transformers

High level introduction exploring the concept and potential of Content-Addressable Transformers (CATs)

August 19, 2022

Functional Autonomy, Political Autonomy & Four (4) Sub-Types

Video: Zargham explores political and functional autonomy and four (4) sub-types of autonomy: individual, collective, tactical, and strategic.

Applying Lessons from Constitutional Public Finance to Token System Design

This blog forms Part 2 of 2, analyzing the concepts of “User Defined Organization” and “Proof-of-Usage” as proposed by Wildland.

An Analysis of Wildland’s “User Defined Organization” Concept

Summary of a research sprint conducted by the governance research team at BlockScience on the project Wildland

Thoughts on Trajectory, Algorithms, Engineering, DAOs and Functional Misalignment

Read our article: 'Thoughts on Trajectory, Algorithms, Engineering, DAOs and Functional Misalignment' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on t...

DAO Design Patterns:

“Decentralized Autonomous Organizations” (DAOs) are everywhere, yet it is unclear what a DAO is (or isn’t), and what design elements constitute a DAO.

Applying Stafford Beer’s Viable System Model to Decentralized Organization

Stafford Beer articulated the “Viable System Model” (VSM) in his 1972 book ‘Brain of the Firm’ as a management tool to determine the viability of an organization.

DAO Vulnerabilities: A Map of Lido Governance Risks & Opportunities

Vulnerability mapping assessing the resilience of Lido DAO protocol governance in terms of technical, social & economic vulnerabilities.

NFT Zine Explores the Use of Web3 for Funding & Attribution of Open R&D

BlockScience research continuously pushes the boundaries of new technologies that are coming available in “Web 3.0” and beyond.

Aligning the concept of ‘Decentralized Autonomous Organization’ to Precedents in Cybernetics

Drawing on Stafford Beer’s Viable Systems Model, this research paper bridges DAOs & cybernetics via two main principles of organization: viability & purpose.

Alpha Bonds: Risk-adjusted Bonding Curves for Financing Impact

Read our article: 'Alpha Bonds: Risk-adjusted Bonding Curves for Financing Impact' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

February 1, 2022

Announcing cadCAD 1.0: Foundations for a New Era of Open Modeling

Read our article: 'Announcing cadCAD 1.0: Foundations for a New Era of Open Modeling' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

January 4, 2022

Gitcoin Grants Round 12 Evaluation & Results

Read our article: 'Gitcoin Grants Round 12 Evaluation & Results' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

December 1, 2021

Operationalizing the GitcoinDAO Anti-Sybil Process

Read our article: 'Operationalizing the GitcoinDAO Anti-Sybil Process' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

October 27, 2021

Introducing Automated Regression Market Makers (ARMMs): A New Price Discovery Mechanism for Semi-Fungible Assets

Read our article: 'Introducing Automated Regression Market Makers (ARMMs): A New Price Discovery Mechanism for Semi-Fungible Assets' to explore insights...

Mapping the Computer-Aided Governance Process

The CAG MAP is a data-driven political process. The goal is to help stakeholders understand, improve, and maintain the systems they care about.

Evaluating the Anti-Fraud Results for Gitcoin Round 10

Read our article: 'Evaluating the Anti-Fraud Results for Gitcoin Round 10' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

Baseline Minting Incentives

Read our article: 'Baseline Minting Incentives' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

Sustainability Goal Achieved: Filecoin Network Crosses Baseline Target

Read our article: 'Sustainability Goal Achieved: Filecoin Network Crosses Baseline Target' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

Summoning the Money God

Read our article: 'Summoning the Money God' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

How to Perform Parameter Selection Under Uncertainty

Read our article: 'How to Perform Parameter Selection Under Uncertainty' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

Engineering Ethics in Web3

Read our article: 'Engineering Ethics in Web3' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

What Does it Take to Optimize a Complex System?

Engineers can better assess & optimize for system goals w/ tools like cadCAD & by employing goal thresholds that offer a more granular view of design choices, .

Techno-reflexivity: A creative methodology for software developer un-bias

Read our article: 'Techno-reflexivity: A creative methodology for software developer un-bias' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

Introducing Govbase

Read our article: 'Introducing Govbase' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

Exploring DAO2DAO Collaboration Mechanisms

Read our article: 'Exploring DAO2DAO Collaboration Mechanisms' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

Exploring DAOs as a New Kind of Institution

Read our article: 'Exploring DAOs as a New Kind of Institution' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

Conceptual Models for DAO2DAO Relations

Read our article: 'Conceptual Models for DAO2DAO Relations' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

Algorithms as Policy

Read our article: 'Algorithms as Policy' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

Deterring Adversarial Behavior at Scale in Gitcoin Grants

On social & technical behaviors in Gitcoin Grant Round 9, & proposes a framework for community-based policy making in semi-automated systems.

How to Attack and Defend Quadratic Funding

Read our article: 'How to Attack and Defend Quadratic Funding' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

December 25, 2020

A Brief History of Conviction Voting

Read our article: 'A Brief History of Conviction Voting' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

December 22, 2020

Colluding Communities or New Markets?

Read our article: 'Colluding Communities or New Markets?' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

cadCAD Gets a New GitHub Org

Read our article: 'cadCAD Gets a New GitHub Org' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

cadCAD Community Update

Read our article: 'cadCAD Community Update' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

November 20, 2019

Introduction to Complex Systems Engineering

Video: Chief Engineer Dr. Michael Zargham discusses the concepts, tools, and techniques for engineering complex digital infrastructure systems.

September 20, 2019

Introduction to Engineering Complex Adaptive Systems

Video playlist on engineering systems, cybernetic steering, and the roles of humans and infrastructure within complex adaptive networks

Computer-Aided Governance — A Revolution in Automated Decision-Support Systems

Using complex, adaptive, dynamic, Computer-Aided Design (cadCAD) tools to simulate, test & validate design decisions introduces a critical engineering iteration loop.

cadCAD: Filling a Critical Gap in Open-Source Data Science

Read our article: 'cadCAD: Filling a Critical Gap in Open-Source Data Science' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

Introducing Complex Adaptive Dynamics Computer-Aided Design (cadCAD)

Read our article: 'Introducing Complex Adaptive Dynamics Computer-Aided Design (cadCAD)' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

On the Practice of Token Engineering, Part III: Something is Missing

Read our article: 'On the Practice of Token Engineering, Part III: Something is Missing' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

Personal Research Statement

Read our article: 'Personal Research Statement' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

On the Practice of Token Engineering, Part II: Engineering = {Capability, Responsibility}

Read our article: 'On the Practice of Token Engineering, Part II: Engineering = {Capability, Responsibility}' to explore insights from BlockScience expe...

Jargon Party

Read our article: 'Jargon Party' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

February 11, 2019

On the Practice of Token Engineering, Part I: Enter the Token Engineer

Summarizing token engineering as a discipline focused on the design of the self-organizing systems enabled through cryptographic peer-to-peer networks.

January 2, 2019

Non-Equilibrium Dynamics

Read our article: 'Non-Equilibrium Dynamics' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

October 1, 2018

From Nash to Lyapunov

Read our article: 'From Nash to Lyapunov' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

Token Engineering 101: Why Engineering is Necessary.

Read our article: 'Token Engineering 101: Why Engineering is Necessary.' to explore insights from BlockScience experts on this topic.

Exploring CryptoKitties — Part 2: The CryptoMidwives

Data analysis shows that “CryptoMidwives” fulfill a critical function in the CryptoKitties economy. The economic incentive to ensure cats are born asap seems to be working.

Exploring CryptoKitties — Part 1: Data Extraction

Everything that ever happened on the Ethereum network is recorded on the blockchain, yet turning those bits into meaningful data is not always straightforward