I remember the first time I stumbled upon Aswath Damodaran's work. It was during a deep dive into the intricacies of financial valuation when his name appeared, almost like a beacon in the dense fog of complex economic theories. Damodaran, a Professor of Finance at the Stern School of Business at New York University, is a figure who needs little introduction in the world of finance. His teachings on corporate finance and equity valuation have not just illuminated classrooms but also significantly influenced contemporary financial practices.

"The intrinsic value of an asset is determined by the cash flows you expect that asset to generate over its life and how uncertain you feel about these cash flows" - Aswath Damodaran​​. This insight was a turning point in my understanding of valuation. It resonated deeply with the core principles we were grappling with in developing 'The Internet of Value'. Our aim has always been to create a system that recognizes and equitably distributes value in transactions, transcending the traditional constraints of the capitalist system. Damodaran’s emphasis on the fundamental role of earnings and the uncertainties tied to future cash flows became a cornerstone in our approach.

His pragmatic wisdom, "Success in investing comes not from being right but from being wrong less often than everyone else," was an epiphany​​. In the volatile world of finance, where unpredictability is the only certainty, this philosophy guided us in incorporating risk-adjusted and discounted value flow in our community's whitepapers, especially QCI's.

Watching Damodaran's YouTube videos on valuation, particularly his discourse on the risk-adjusted rate and the case study of Nvidia, was enlightening. It became clear that the existing financial models required a significant overhaul. His teachings were instrumental in helping us innovate new financial methodologies that were not just robust but also equitable.

"I am naturally drawn to numbers but one of the ironies of working with numbers is that the more I work with them, the more skeptical I become about purely number-driven arguments" - Aswath Damodaran​​. This skepticism towards a purely numerical approach was akin to our vision in 'The Internet of Value'. We sought to create a balance, considering both quantitative and qualitative aspects, ensuring that our protocols - Value Capture, Wellbeing, and DAOcommons - were holistic in nature.

Damodaran’s insights, specifically on the relativity of valuation in contemporary markets, shed light on the complexities and the ever-evolving landscape of modern finance​​. This underscored the necessity for our OpenProtocol Stack to be adaptive and responsive to the dynamic nature of the global economy.

In conclusion, the journey of crafting 'The Internet of Value' has been significantly influenced by Aswath Damodaran's teachings. His profound understanding of finance, coupled with a practical approach to valuation and risk management, has been pivotal in shaping our protocols. We've strived to create a system that not only acknowledges but actively rewards contributions, shifting the focus from sheer productivity to overall wellbeing.

As Damodaran himself says, "I am a teacher first, who also happens to love untangling the puzzles of corporate finance and valuation, and writing about my experiences"​​. In many ways, this journey has been a process of learning, unlearning, and relearning, guided by the wisdom of teachers like him. For that, I am eternally grateful.

To explore more about 'The Internet of Value' and how it's reshaping the financial landscape, visit The Internet of Value.

Some of his Quotes!

• "The intrinsic value of an asset is determined by the cash flows you expect that asset to generate over its life and how uncertain you feel about these cash flows." - Aswath Damodaran​​.

• "Success in investing comes not from being right but from being wrong less often than everyone else." - Aswath Damodaran​​.

• "I am naturally drawn to numbers but one of the ironies of working with numbers is that the more I work with them, the more skeptical I become about purely number-driven arguments." - Aswath Damodaran​​.

• "Einstein was right about relativity, but even he would have had a difficult time applying relative valuation in today’s stock markets." - Aswath Damodaran​​.

• "I am a teacher first, who also happens to love untangling the puzzles of corporate finance and valuation, and writing about my experiences." - Aswath Damodaran​​.