DAO Governance Lecture Brief | Research Sharing: Theoretical Aspects of Digital Autonomy, Subsidy Ecosystem and Practice Report

edited by / Uncommons

speakers / Joshua Tan, Eugene Leventhal, Daniel Kronovet

In October, several researchers from Metagov, a digital autonomy academic research team, introduced their research and practice results in DAO and broader digital governance, funding projects in the field of Web3 research, offline co-living applications, etc. There were three lectures in total, and there may be more lectures in the future. On top of the practice of DAO, we jointly explored the limits, possibilities and floating boundaries of decentralized digital governance.

Co-organizers:

Metagov: https://metagov.org/ - an interdisciplinary research team building standards and infrastructure for digital self-governance

Daostar: https://daostar.org/ - Provides standards and common interfaces for DAOs

4Seas: https://4seas.io/ - A startup community exploring social issues using crypto-nomadism and technology

Uncommons*: https://uncommons.notion.site/ - a public space for crypto humanities thought

*To build Uncommons together, please go directly to the Uncommons community. Contact information is at the end of the article. We welcome every perspective :)

First round

 Open Problems in DAOs ｜ROAD TO WAMO：Networked Writing

Guest: Joshua Tan, Founder and Executive Director of Metagov, PhD Candidate at Oxford University, Former Faculty Member at Carnegie Mellon University, Practicing Fellow at Stanford University

Personal website: https://www.joshuatan.com/

Replay link: https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/K-ZX6DcE-pALuBctaWmVUSTaNsTrkqJPFloKCE5r-eaXLTk5hZd1vJOriqS8ov9Q.4bvBdg9h7TW2lKwD

Password: 38G+Bfys

Abstract: In this paper we describe how researchers can contribute to the emerging science of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and other digitally-constituted organizations. From granular privacy primitives to mechanism designs to model laws, we identify high-impact problems in the DAO ecosystem where existing gaps might be tackled through a new data set or by applying tools and ideas from existing research fields such as political science, computer science, economics, law, and organizational science. Our recommendations encompass exciting research questions as well as promising business opportunities. We call on the wider research community to join the global effort to invent the next generation of organizations.

In this paper, we describe how researchers can contribute to the emerging scientific study of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and other digital organizations. From granular privacy primitives to mechanism design to model law, we identify high-impact problems in the DAO ecosystem that are currently unsolved and may be addressed through new datasets or by applying tools and perspectives from existing research fields such as political science, computer science, economics, law, and organizational science. Our proposals include exciting research questions as well as promising business opportunities. We call on the broader research community to join this global effort to co-create the next generation of organizations.

Reading report (not final):

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LvqvarU951r9dHMif4dhXanmkq_eQ_k5xTZC5-t7lkM/edit#heading=h.d9b7hkj3ezl6

second round

 《Web3 补助状态报告》| ROAD TO WAMO

Guests: Eugene Leventhal, COO & CEO, Metagov; CEO, scrf.io

Report Overview: Grants are key to supporting the Web3 ecosystem. This report provides an in-depth analysis of the full range of Web3 grant programs, including discussions of existing and emerging projects.

Replay link: https://sourl.cn/a875du

Password: %S08?XFE

From late June to early September 2023, 20 interviews were conducted with individuals across 13 organizations. The results of these interviews have been organized in this document.

Three types of grant programs were covered: active programs, sunset programs, and quadratic funding grant operators. The specific programs covered are as follows:

The 11 active and sunset grant programs have issued upwards of half of a billion dollars worth of grants. Four programs have issued or committed at least $50m in grants - Algorand (~$100m), Ethereum (~$110m), NEAR (~$540m), and Solana (~$50m). If we include grant round operators, Gitcoin would also make the list, having facilitated over $50m dollars worth of grants. Across all of the covered programs. Over 5,900 grants were issued.

This report by no means covers all there is to cover about granting in web3. It is a working doc that will evolve as we get more feedback and input from the community. However, we do hope it serves as an additional stepping stone in the journey of better understanding grant programs in web3. The 'Takeaways' section delves into a variety of things that we hope can contribute to grant programs improving. Feel free to reach out with any feedback or to collaborate.

Twenty interviews were conducted with individuals from 13 organizations between late June and early September 2023. This document summarizes the findings from these interviews.

The interviews involved three types of grant programs: current programs, expired programs, and Quadratic Funding grants. The specific projects are as follows (as shown above).

11 active/inactive grant programs have awarded grants worth more than $500 million. Four projects have awarded or committed to award at least $50 million in grants - Algorand (~$100 million), Ethereum (~$110 million), NEAR (~$540 million), and Solana (~$50 million). If we include Grant rounds, Gitcoin would also make the list, as it has facilitated grants worth more than $50 million. All covered projects have awarded more than 5,900 grants in total.

Reading report (not final):

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CFD6ztSh2ggJSO-U3uEea92UVB1cRbvBlA1tfPxLKi8/edit#heading=h.b1x0fo7ukcjh

Scene 3

 《数字治理在实体社区的应用》| ROAD TO WAMO

Guest: Daniel Kronovet, Research Engineer, Colony; Founder, Zaratan Coliving

Topic: Daniel will present an app he designed for the coliving shared living space. It is a new way of governance that achieves common goals through gamification and reduces the need for decision-making.

Replay link: https://sourl.cn/a875du (same as Lecture 2)

Password: %S08?XFE

Slack Bot Boarding House

Daniel discussed a project to improve governance in shared living spaces using digital tools, influenced by various academic disciplines. He introduced the Chore system, which assigns points for chores, and the Hearts system for managing behavior, both facilitating meaningful efficiencies and clear expectations. He talked about the challenges during the launch, emphasizing the balance between technology and human interaction. Daniel announced a public rollout of the system, with its applicability depending on community size and trust level.

Daniel discussed the co-living project management tool he designed, using digital tools to improve the efficiency of governance of shared living spaces, influenced by the intersection of disciplines such as humanities, political science, and economics. He introduced the Chore system, which assigns points for housework activities; and the Hearts system for managing behavior, both of which achieved significant efficiency improvements and clear expectation setting. He talked about the challenges in the project launch process and emphasized the balance between technology and human interaction. Daniel announced that the system will be publicly launched in a few weeks, and how it is applied depends on the size of the community and the level of trust.

Researcher's Study Series:

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Toby Shorin | Walking on air, a true and majestic form of connection will be seen by all

Anonymous peer review group: Cross-pollination community | UnResearch

Nadia Asparouhova | Scarlett on the Farm

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