'The Internet Was Illegal' and Other Early Stories With Zooko Wilcox

In this wide-ranging conversation, CoinDesk reporter Leigh Cuen and early cypherpunk Zooko Wilcox discuss what crypto can learn from technology successes and failures in the '80s and '90s.

AccessTimeIconJan 12, 2020 at 2:40 p.m. UTC
Updated Sep 13, 2021 at 12:07 p.m. UTC
10 Years of Decentralizing the Future
May 29-31, 2024 - Austin, TexasThe biggest and most established global hub for everything crypto, blockchain and Web3.Register Now

The best Sundays are for long reads and deep conversations. Earlier this week, the Let's Talk Bitcoin! show enlisted CoinDesk reporter Leigh Cuen and early cypherpunk Zooko Wilcox for a conversation on the history, challenges and long-term development path of early, formative technologies, which we often hear modern blockchain movements compared against. 

From the pre-internet days, through the free/open source movement, Linux's successes and challenges on the desktop, the peer-to-peer movement, cypherpunks, Linux maximalism, fundamentalism as a concept as well as some brief excursions through some history and politics of the time...

Later, we'll discuss how AI and lawyers have more in common than you'd think, and what kind of protections we may need as autonomous agents become ubiquitous.

Zooko's post-interview Twitter thread:

Episode Credits:

This episode of Let's Talk Bitcoin! is sponsored by Brave.com, eToro.com, and Purse.io.Original photo by Museums Victoria on Unsplash. This episode featured CoinDesk reporter Leigh Cuen and Zcash co-creator Zooko Wilcox. Music for today's episode was provided by Jared Rubens, and general fuzz, with editing by Jonas.  Have any questions or comments? Email adam@ltbshow.com.Find all 422 episodes at LTBShow.com

Disclosure

Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.