Blockchain and Beyond: Understanding Blockchains through Prototypes and Public Engagement

TL;DR

This paper compiles diverse projects that use design and HCI methods to explore the social implications of blockchain technology, aiming to broaden participation and foster societal reflection.

Contribution

It provides an extensive annotated portfolio demonstrating how design and HCI can help understand and shape societal perceptions of blockchain and related technologies.

Findings

Projects engage publics in imagining blockchain futures

Design methods reveal social implications and questions

Broad participation enhances understanding of complex tech

Abstract

This paper presents an annotated portfolio of projects that seek to understand and communicate the social and societal implications of blockchains, distributed ledgers and smart contracts. These complex technologies rely on human and technical factors to deliver cryptocurrencies, shared computation and trustless protocols but have a secondary benefit in providing a moment to re-think many aspects of society, and imagine alternative possibilities. The projects use design and HCI methods to relate blockchains to a range of topics, including global supply chains, delivery infrastructure, smart grids, volunteering and charitable giving, through engaging publics, exploring ideas and speculating on possible futures. Based on an extensive annotated portfolio we draw out learning for the design of blockchain systems, broadening participation and surfacing questions around imaginaries, social implications and engagement with new technology. This paints a comprehensive picture of how HCI and design can shape understandings of the future of complex technologies.