Is This The New Internet?

From Bitcoin Miner to Blockchain Professor: Lawrence Ley dives deep into Cardano's innovative governance, constitution, and decentralized future in this essential episode of "Is This the New Internet?" Discover how Toronto's vibrant crypto ecosystem shaped blockchain history, learn why Cardano's academic approach matters, and explore the intersection of blockchain technologies with real-world applications. Perfect for crypto enthusiasts, governance geeks, and anyone curious about how blockchain might transform our digital future.

Show Notes
- Professor Lawrence Ley shares his journey from IT consultant to Bitcoin miner to Cardano expert
- The Toronto blockchain scene and its historical significance (including early Ethereum meetings)
- Overview of Cardano's three founding entities: IOG (formerly IOHK), Cardano Foundation, and EMURGO
- Cardano's development eras: Byron, Shelley, Goguen, Basho, and Voltaire
- Deep dive into Cardano governance and the recent constitutional workshop
- Discussion of DREPs (Delegated Representatives) and liquid democracy
- Challenges with stable coins on Cardano and potential solutions
- The potential for Cardano to enable Bitcoin DeFi through UTXO architecture compatibility
- Potential impact of AI on blockchain technologies
- Insights into blockchain education and career opportunities
- The importance of community, meetups, and networking in the blockchain space

Websites and Socials
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/lawrenceley/
YouTube - www.youtube.com/@lawrenceley8530
GitHub - github.com/lley154/
Ultimate Cardano Smart Contracts Book - https://a.co/d/2V8fzcc
Cardano Meetups Toronto: https://www.meetup.com/cardano-blockchain-toronto/
George Brown University Blockchain Development Program - https://www.georgebrown.ca/programs/blockchain-development-program-postgraduate-t475

Chapter Markers
00:00:00 - Introduction to Professor Lawrence Ley
00:07:00 - Lawrence's background in technology and Bitcoin mining
00:09:00 - Toronto's unique blockchain ecosystem and Decentral meetups
00:14:00 - Organizing Cardano meetups in Toronto
00:19:00 - Overview of Cardano's structure and founding entities
00:24:00 - Cardano's development eras and governance evolution
00:35:00 - Cardano adoption and liquidity challenges
00:42:00 - Constitutional workshop and governance process
00:47:00 - DREPs, liquid democracy, and voting mechanisms
00:56:00 - Challenges with large entities and exchanges having outsized voting power
01:03:00 - Stable coin challenges on Cardano
01:12:00 - Bitcoin DeFi potential through Cardano integration
01:17:00 - AI implications for blockchain technologies
01:19:00 - Lawrence's book and academic contributions
01:27:00 - Teaching blockchain at George Brown College
01:30:00 - Industry demand and career paths in blockchain
01:37:00 - Closing thoughts and where to find Lawrence online