Vitalik Buterin and Indian yogi Sadhguru discuss tech, identity and more

Emerging technologies like blockchain are ushering in a new era of interactions between humans and the digital world. This is an evolving talking point for thought leaders both inside and outside the industry trying to predict how technologies will drive change in the human experience.

On April 25, the reState Foundation hosted a virtual meeting talk between Ethereum co-founder and inventor Vitalik Buterin and Isha Foundation founder, Indian mystic Sadhguru to discuss the intersection of technology and human consciousness.

reState Foundation, Sadhguru and Vitalik Buterin in conversation. Source: YouTube, reState Foundation

Buterin opened the conversation by noting that the core of blockchain technology is about โ€œhuman coordination and interactionโ€ with one another. He said:

โ€œ[Blockchain] it's about helping different groups of people come together so they can trust each other more, to collaborate across greater distances on many different types of projects.โ€

The talk continued punctually pointing out a growing gap between the rate of technological evolution and the progression of ethical development and human consciousness, the latter lagging behind.

According to the Sadhguru, much of this blocking by humans stems from the need to identify with a group. The yogi said that this need for self-identification therefore gives intelligence to "protect and defend the identity" of that group.

Growing gap of technological development and development of human consciousness. Source: YouTube, reaffirm

However, Buterin noted that emerging new technology actually makes it easier for people recognize complicated identities and connect with each other on common ground. โ€œUltimately, all technology is social technology in some way,โ€ he said.

โ€œThese are tools to help groups of people organize. There are tools to help people identify the things they value in common.โ€

He went on to say that while emerging technologies won't solve all user problems, agreements and disagreements in the space have the potential to result in "realized cooperation" and learning opportunities, respectively. โ€œI think those are the kinds of ideas that I know a lot of people in Ethereum and in those related communities really care about,โ€ she said.

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As these new technologies continue take precedence in the lives of users and in systems around the world, Sadhguru encouraged listeners to keep in mind that humans are the "highest level of technology" and by doing so we can improve the way we interact with technologies.

โ€œTechnology is not just something that humans just create; it is an extension of our consciousness. As we raise our consciousness, our technology will automatically follow.โ€

Both speakers pointed to the proper use of technologies such as blockchain as the key to its implementation as a tool for greater understanding and increased human awareness.

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