My deep dive into the realm of decentralized governance was not one driven by the allure of profits or that of the innovation alone; it was inspired by a fundamental question: How do we address the coordination failures of decentralized collectives? My exploration began with MolochDAO, a project that grappled with these very questions. MolochDAO's quest to forge a path towards collective harmony amidst the chaos of modernity was the spark that ignited my curiosity.

In the realm of decentralized technologies, a captivating narrative has emerged – the story of Moloch. Born from the allegorical writings of "Meditations on Moloch" by Scott Alexander, Moloch is portrayed as the embodiment of human coordination failure. The idea revolves around the concept of coordination problems that hinder humanity from achieving common goals.

As depicted in the Scott Alexander writing, the essence of Moloch is a coercive force that compels individuals to participate in detrimental actions to avoid personal harm. This includes examples such as the Prisoner's Dilemma, capitalism's ruthless competition, and even the proliferation of cancerous cells within the human body. Moloch is the antithesis of human progress and cooperation, a concept hauntingly relevant to our times.

To address the insidious influence of Moloch, two distinct groups have emerged - the Moloch Slayers and the Moloch Challengers.

Moloch Slayers, as defined by Ameen Soleimani, are individuals and communities actively building tools and decentralized infrastructures to "slay" Moloch. Their mission is clear: to find solutions to coordinate human efforts, remove inefficiencies, and pave the way for a more harmonious society.

Moloch Challengers, on the other hand, acknowledge the formidable nature of Moloch but do not believe it can be fully "slain." Instead, they take a different approach, focusing on challenging Moloch and finding ways to mitigate its adverse effects. They seek to create awareness, encourage conscious decision-making, and develop strategies to work within the constraints imposed by Moloch.

The crux of the debate between Slayers and Challengers lies in how to tackle coordination problems. Slayers believe in the potential of decentralized technologies to offer solutions that can alleviate Moloch's grip on society. Ethereum, often seen as the spearhead of these efforts, is hailed for its smart contract technology, which fosters trustless coordination among participants. As stated by Soleimani, Ethereum is "the ultimate coordination toolkit," enabling coordination without reliance on intermediaries or centralized authorities.

Challengers, while recognizing the value of decentralized technologies, emphasize the complexity of the Moloch dilemma. They argue that Moloch may never be fully defeated but can be persistently challenged. They draw inspiration from the "Great Filter Theory" of the Fermi Paradox, suggesting that complex, intergalactic civilizations may face insurmountable hurdles in their development. In this view, humanity's survival may depend on continually challenging Moloch and evolving strategies to mitigate its influence.

Ethereum, a prominent player in the struggle against Moloch, serves as a coordination mechanism that challenges conventional methods of governance and decision-making. The power of Ethereum lies in its ability to host unstoppable code, immutable transactions, and trustless coordination. It provides a platform for developing coordination mechanisms for applications, transcending traditional institutions like nation-states.

The battle against Moloch is an enduring saga that captivates those who yearn for a more coordinated and harmonious world. Moloch Slayers and Moloch Challengers both offer unique perspectives on how to confront this ever-present antagonist. While Slayers focus on building tools to "slay" Moloch and view decentralized technology as the means to coordinate humanity effectively, Challengers remind us that Moloch cannot be eradicated but must be continually challenged. These two approaches, united by the vision of a more coordinated society, present a compelling narrative of resilience, innovation, and a shared endeavor to conquer the forces that hinder human progress. In the end, the battle against Moloch is a defining challenge of our time, one that will continue to shape our collective future.

References:

1. “The Original Grant Fiving DAO” - MolochDAO

2. "Meditations on Moloch" - Slate Star Codex

3. "Galaxy Simulations Offer a New Solution to the Fermi Paradox" - Quanta Magazine

4. "The Fermi Paradox" - Wait But Why

5. "Ethereum: Slayer of Moloch" - David Hoffman

6. “MolochVentures/moloch” - GitHub