#120 Untangling: Science in a Post-AI World w/ Aragorn Meulendijks

In this episode of Untangling Web3, futurist and returning guest Aragorn Meulendijks explores how artificial intelligence and robotics are redefining science, labor, and the future of human society. With developments like humanoid robots entering mass production, the reversal of aging in primates, and AI-driven scientific discovery accelerating, this conversation focuses on the transformative—and potentially disruptive—technological shifts underway. Aragorn unpacks the exponential acceleration of innovation and its potential to trigger post-scarcity economics, reshaping the social contract as we know it.Key highlights:Robotics and Post-Scarcity Economics: Humanoid robots are advancing rapidly from prototype to consumer product, with companies like Figure and Tesla aiming for mass production within the next two years. Robots are already deployed in factories and are now entering homes to accelerate learning through real-world complexity. Aragorn projects a scenario where 1.5 billion humanoid robots could exist by 2035, disrupting manual labor across the economy. This raises fundamental questions about capitalism, productivity, and whether society must begin preparing for a post-scarcity world.Scientific Discovery in a Post-AI World: AI is revolutionizing the scientific method by reducing years-long research timelines into days through simulation and modeling. Projects like AlphaFold have predicted over 200 million protein structures, effectively accelerating biochemical understanding by centuries. In fields such as drug development and fusion energy, AI is proving to be not just a research assistant but a generative force for discovery. However, Aragorn raises concerns about verifying AI-generated insights and the increasing noise in scientific literature from low-quality, AI-generated papers.A Philosophical and Emotional Reset: As AI and automation disrupt productivity and labor, humanity may undergo a broader philosophical shift. Aragorn speculates about a post-work society, where meaning and purpose are decoupled from employment. Referencing Asimov’s Foundation series, he suggests that humanity may need to evolve emotionally and cognitively in parallel with technological progress to avoid dystopian outcomes and fully embrace a new model of civilization.The future that Aragorn sketches is both exhilarating and daunting. Mass robot deployment, scientific automation, and redefined human purpose all lie within reach, but navigating the transition will require a collective reimagining of economics, ethics, and governance. Whether society evolves toward utopia or faces instability will depend not just on technology, but on humanity’s ability to adapt, redistribute value, and embrace new social contracts.--This episode is sponsored by the VeChain foundation. Learn more about VeBetterDAO here:https://vebetterdao.org/--Learn more about Web3 at:https://untanglingweb3.com/--Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected] what you're hearing? Show your support by becoming a subscriber and don't forget to leave us a stellar review.The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.

In this episode, we break down the highlights from Meta Connect, where Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the company’s latest innovations in AR glasses, AI, and wearable tech. Once dismissed as a fading metaverse experiment, Meta is now doubling down on hardware and contextual AI, aiming to reshape how people interact with the digital and physical worlds. Alec attended the event in person and brings firsthand insights into what’s real, what’s hype, and what it means for the future of Meta’s vision.Key highlights:Smart Glasses and Everyday AR Integration: Meta’s partnership with Ray-Ban continues to expand, with updated smart glasses boasting improved battery life, better cameras, and built-in AI assistants. While not revolutionary, these AR-enabled glasses are steadily growing in adoption, offering hands-free digital interaction and promising a future where voice-first, context-aware computing becomes the norm.Next-Gen AR Glasses and Neural Wristbands: The real showstopper was Meta’s new AR glasses featuring subtle heads-up displays and a neural wristband for intuitive gesture control. From writing in the air to navigating apps, these innovations bring a sci-fi-style interface into reality. Though still early and pricey, the progress shows Meta closing the gap between futuristic concepts and consumer-ready products.Contextual AI, Horizon Worlds, and Breaking Smartphone Addiction: Beyond hardware, Meta’s pitch centers on contextual AI—AI that integrates seamlessly with your environment and daily life. Combined with VR and Horizon’s generative world-building tools, Meta is laying the groundwork for immersive, builder-friendly ecosystems. While marketed as a way to reduce smartphone addiction, the hosts question whether AR overlays could become an even more persistent form of distraction.Meta’s latest AR glasses and AI-driven ecosystem signal a bold shift in wearable tech, blending hardware, software, and contextual AI into a unified vision. While challenges remain—ranging from adoption to privacy—Meta is clearly betting on glasses as the next frontier of personal computing. Whether this future feels liberating or intrusive will depend on how the technology evolves, but one thing is certain: Meta is determined to define the next era of digital interaction.--This episode is sponsored by the VeChain foundation. Learn more about VeBetterDAO here:https://vebetterdao.org/--Learn more about Web3 at:https://untanglingweb3.com/--Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected] what you're hearing? Show your support by becoming a subscriber and don't forget to leave us a stellar review.The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.

Threads Untangled is our series bringing you the best of Untangling Web3, featuring our favourite highlights and segments from past episodes. This week, we're revisiting our conversation with Sunny Lu and his unique take on the "power of decentralizaton" for sustainability.VeChain, under Sunny's leadership, is redefining global supply chains and leveraging blockchain for sustainability initiatives like VeBetterDAO, which rewards sustainable actions.__This episode is sponsored by the VeChain foundation. Learn more about VeBetterDAO here:https://vebetterdao.org/--Learn more about Web3 at:https://untanglingweb3.com/--Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected] what you're hearing? Show your support by becoming a subscriber and don't forget to leave us a stellar review.The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.

Gaming is evolving beyond entertainment into a dynamic, player-driven economy—and Web3 is at the heart of that transformation. In this episode of Untangling Web3, Luke Barwikowski, founder and CEO of Pixels, joins to explore how blockchain is reshaping the gaming industry. Pixels is a social Web3 game that fuses casual farming gameplay with real-world economic mechanics. With over 10 million registered users, the game is setting new standards for interoperability, player ownership, and scalable token-driven economies in the Web3 space.Key highlights:Web3 gaming demands new economic models: Traditional gaming revenue models are struggling. Studios spend magnitudes more on user acquisition than on game development, often with razor-thin margins. Pixels flips this model by directly rewarding users for valuable behavior. Instead of spending $1 on ads, that dollar is given to users through the game itself—an approach made scalable through tokens. This “reward-to-play” model uses data-driven segmentation to tailor incentives to user profiles, ensuring economic sustainability while strengthening community participation.Precision reward systems drive user growth and retention: Rather than blanket airdrops or undifferentiated incentives, Pixels uses predictive analytics and behavioral segmentation to issue rewards based on user potential and engagement patterns. Whether encouraging gameplay, referrals, or in-game spending, each incentive is optimized for long-term growth. These mechanics mirror Web2 adtech systems but replace ad spend with value distribution to players, forming a player-centric economic loop.Bridging crypto-native and mainstream audiences Pixels initially focused on crypto-native users, but reaching the next wave of players means eliminating crypto onboarding barriers. Future iterations will remove mandatory wallet sign-ups and minimize crypto UX friction. While blockchain infrastructure powers the backend, the frontend will prioritize smooth, intuitive gameplay. New users can access Web3-native benefits—like real ownership and tokenized economies—without having to confront the technical complexities.Pixels illustrates how Web3 gaming can move beyond hype into scalable, user-owned ecosystems. By aligning player incentives with network growth, eliminating friction for mainstream adoption, and reimagining game economies through blockchain, projects like these signal a future where fun, fairness, and functionality co-exist. Web3 isn’t just enhancing games—it’s reinventing how they're built, played, and sustained.__Learn more about Pixels here:https://www.pixels.xyz/--This episode is sponsored by the VeChain foundation. Learn more about VeBetterDAO here:https://vebetterdao.org/--Learn more about Web3 at:https://untanglingweb3.com/--Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected] what you're hearing? Show your support by becoming a subscriber and don't forget to leave us a stellar review.The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.

Bitcoin mining is often portrayed as environmentally harmful, but this episode of Untangling Web3 with guest Dr. Owen Vaughan, founder and CEO of Bitroots, redefines that perception.With a background in blockchain fundamentals, Owen explains how Bitcoin mining can drive renewable energy adoption, stabilize power grids, and economically benefit local communities. This conversation reveals how proof-of-work, when understood properly, is not only compatible with green energy but can be a force for accelerating the energy transition.Key highlights:Bitcoin Mining is a Clean Technology with No Emissions at Source: A mining machine only consumes electricity and produces heat, making Bitcoin mining itself emissions-free at the point of operation. The environmental footprint comes solely from the electricity source. Hydropower is currently the most common renewable input, and overall, 41% of Bitcoin mining is powered by renewables, a figure expected to rise to 70% by 2030. This trend is driven by the declining cost of renewable energy and favorable co-location opportunities near dams and wind farms.Mining Incentivizes Renewable Energy Expansion in Underserved Regions: In countries like Ethiopia and Uruguay, overproduction from hydropower dams has led to underutilized energy. Bitcoin miners are filling this demand gap by purchasing excess electricity that would otherwise be wasted. In Ethiopia, $200 million in revenue was generated in just six months from selling clean power to Bitcoin miners. This income helps fund grid expansion and provides economic stimulus to the local economy—demonstrating that mining can directly contribute to national infrastructure development.Sustainable Bitcoin Mining Extends to Recycling and Future Demand: With 95% of Bitcoin already mined, future mining revenue will increasingly rely on transaction fees. These, too, can be certified based on the energy source used to validate the blocks. Even post-halving and long after new coins stop being issued, the infrastructure and economic mechanisms for clean mining will remain critical. Certified mining also opens up potential for jurisdictional and ethical tracking of coin origins—much like ethically sourced diamonds or gold.Bitcoin mining offers a pathway to a more sustainable energy future. Certified clean coins, traceable to renewable sources, also provide a means for individuals and institutions to align their investments with ESG values. Rather than being an environmental threat, Bitcoin may be one of the most powerful green technologies in the Web3 toolkit.--This episode is sponsored by the VeChain foundation. Learn more about VeBetterDAO here:https://vebetterdao.org/--Learn more about Web3 at:https://untanglingweb3.com/--Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected] what you're hearing? Show your support by becoming a subscriber and don't forget to leave us a stellar review.The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.

In this episode, Alec shares a harrowing story of Bitcoin loss, digital vulnerability, and eventual recovery. After his phone was stolen during a night out, Alec discovered that his Coinbase account had been compromised—resulting in the theft of his entire Bitcoin holdings. This candid conversation explores what went wrong, how crypto thefts are becoming more sophisticated, and what lessons can be drawn to protect yourself in the age of digital finance.Key highlights:How the Theft Happened and the Shocking Aftermath: Alec recounts the moment his phone was snatched in London and how, within minutes, the thieves accessed his Coinbase app and drained his Bitcoin. Despite biometric protections and multi-factor authentication, the attackers managed to bypass security and execute transactions. Alec describes the emotional toll, the helplessness of watching the funds move in real time, and the feeling of transparency without control as he tracked the Bitcoin theft on-chain.The Role of Custodians and Coinbase’s Response: The episode highlights a surprising silver lining: Coinbase investigated the incident thoroughly and refunded the stolen funds after six weeks. Alec praises the company’s approach, transparency, and user support—contrasting it with other platforms where victims often receive no compensation. This part of the conversation reignites the debate between self-custody and trusted custodians, underscoring the importance of platforms that provide recourse in the event of security failures.Crypto Security, Recovery Challenges, and Broader Implications: Jack and Alec delve into how the immaturity of police investigations, social engineering, and growing AI-enabled attacks complicate crypto security. They explore how blockchain’s immutability—one of its greatest strengths—can also work against victims. They also reflect on the limitations of traditional law enforcement when it comes to investigating digital theft, and how Alec's experience may push more crypto holders toward regulated platforms, especially those that can offer a chance at recovery.This episode is a powerful reminder that Bitcoin and blockchain may be secure technologies, but the people using them remain vulnerable. Alec's experience offers a cautionary tale and a call for better security practices, awareness, and institutional protections. Whether you store your tokens on-chain or with a custodian, being proactive about your security is non-negotiable. And sometimes, as Alec learned, choosing the right platform—like Coinbase—can make all the difference between loss and recovery.--This episode is sponsored by the VeChain foundation. Learn more about VeBetterDAO here:https://vebetterdao.org/--Learn more about Web3 at:https://untanglingweb3.com/--Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected] what you're hearing? Show your support by becoming a subscriber and don't forget to leave us a stellar review.The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.

In this episode, we dive deep into the evolving relationship between Bitcoin, blockchain, and financial institutions. Once a symbol of rebellion against the banking system, Bitcoin is now embraced by institutions and governments alike—raising big questions.Are they legitimizing crypto or diluting its original purpose? As BlackRock, PayPal, and governments tokenize assets, we explore whether this new wave of adoption is saving Web3 or reshaping it altogether.Key highlights:The Institutional Era of Bitcoin and Crypto Finance: there has been a massive influx of institutions into the Bitcoin space. With over 10% of Bitcoin’s total supply now held by institutions, ETFs, and governments, and public companies like MicroStrategy owning over half a million BTC, the duo reflects on how this shift has transformed Bitcoin from a peer-to-peer payment network into a mainstream financial asset. The approval of ETFs, growing regulatory clarity, and widespread adoption by traditional financial firms all underscore this new financial paradigm.Benefits and Trade-Offs of Institutional Involvement: Institutional adoption brings with it pros like regulatory clarity, increased financial stability, and global legitimacy. It’s driving up prices, enabling better user protections, and opening new enterprise use cases beyond just finance—like digital identity and supply chain management. However, it also raises concerns about centralization, custodial dominance, and potential protocol-level influence. Cultural Shifts and the Future of Innovation: Many innovators have either exited the space or moved on to more flexible ecosystems like Ethereum. While Bitcoin thrives as “digital gold,” innovation now happens largely outside the BTC base layer. So does Web3's real future lies in alternative chains and what does rise of custodians like Coinbase and PayPal means for user control and digital self-sovereignty?The institutionalization of Bitcoin is undeniably reshaping the crypto landscape. What began as a decentralized experiment is now a critical part of the financial system. While some of the original dreams of Web3 may be fading, this mainstream adoption could be the key to realizing its broader potential—from stable payment rails to real-world blockchain use cases. Whether you're a purist or pragmatist, one thing is clear: the future of Bitcoin and blockchain will be built by institutions, innovators, and communities—together. --This episode is sponsored by the VeChain foundation. Learn more about VeBetterDAO here:https://vebetterdao.org/--Learn more about Web3 at:https://untanglingweb3.com/--Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected] what you're hearing? Show your support by becoming a subscriber and don't forget to leave us a stellar review.The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.

In this episode, we explore the rise of stablecoins—the digital dollar alternatives that are reshaping how money moves in the age of crypto and Web3. Once a niche financial tool, stablecoins are now processing trillions annually, attracting institutional players like PayPal and Stripe, and even overtaking Visa in transaction volume.With new legislation like the U.S. GENIUS Act and regulatory clarity on the horizon, we unpack how these stable tokens are becoming foundational to the future of digital assets.Key highlights:What Are Stablecoins and Why Are They Taking Off? Stablecoins—tokens pegged to fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar—and explain their appeal to both crypto traders and institutions. They discuss how these assets offer the technological benefits of blockchain (borderless, 24/7, transparent) without the volatility of traditional crypto. From powering over 70% of crypto trading volume to acting as a hedge in inflation-ridden economies, stablecoins are proving invaluable across multiple use cases.The Types of Stablecoins and How They Work: The episode dives into the different categories: fiat-backed (like USDC and USDT), crypto-collateralized (like DAI), and algorithmic (like the defunct Terra/LUNA). Alec and Jack explain how each type maintains its peg, the risks involved, and how new legislation is prioritizing transparency, 1:1 fiat reserves, and regulatory accountability—especially for the fiat-backed models favored by institutions. Circle's USDC, for example, is praised for regulatory compliance, while Tether faces continued scrutiny.The Regulation Revolution and Institutional Adoption: With the U.S. GENIUS Act now law and the CLARITY Act progressing through Congress, the regulatory landscape for stablecoins is rapidly maturing. The hosts highlight how these laws define rules for issuance, reserves, and oversight—giving stablecoins a green light to scale. Meanwhile, companies like PayPal, Revolut, and even JPMorgan are entering the stablecoin race, and firms are starting to pay salaries in digital dollars. This signals a huge shift in the way digital assets are used globally.Stablecoins are no longer just a stepping stone into crypto—they are becoming a core layer of the Web3 financial stack. With stronger regulation, massive adoption by tech-forward companies, and a user experience that rivals traditional finance, stablecoins could redefine how the world transacts. As countries choose between stablecoins, CBDCs, and crypto-native currencies, one thing is clear: stable, programmable money is here to stay. --This episode is sponsored by the VeChain foundation. Learn more about VeBetterDAO here:https://vebetterdao.org/--Learn more about Web3 at:https://untanglingweb3.com/--Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected] what you're hearing? Show your support by becoming a subscriber and don't forget to leave us a stellar review.The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.

In this episode of Untangling Web3, we’re joined by Marc Boiron, CEO of Polygon Labs, and Simran Singh, Head of DeFi Trading at GSR, to explore how the Katana blockchain is reshaping the future of Web3 by tackling one of the ecosystem’s most critical challenges: liquidity fragmentation. Built by Polygon Labs and incubated in collaboration with GSR, Katana is a bold experiment in consolidating value, optimizing capital flow, and unifying a splintered blockchain ecosystem.Key highlights:The Problem with Fragmented Liquidity and DeFi Silos: Marc and Simran explain how today’s DeFi landscape is plagued by silos—with dozens of decentralized exchanges, lending protocols, and wrapped assets across multiple chains. This leads to inefficient markets and shallow liquidity pools that fail to meet the needs of both institutions and retail users.Katana’s Bold, Opinionated Design Philosophy: At the heart of Katana is an “opinionated” model—a deliberate departure from neutral, general-purpose chains. Katana selects a single best-in-class protocol for each DeFi function (like Sushi for swaps or Morpho for lending), limiting duplication and boosting efficiency. The ecosystem also curates preferred versions of assets (e.g. one wrapped BTC standard), reducing redundancy and maximizing network utility.Yield Generation and Sustainable Incentives: Katana’s yield model goes beyond emissions by integrating real economic value. The chain also incentivizes long-term liquidity provisioning rather than short-term mercenary farming. This creates a flywheel of productivity and makes Katana not just another DeFi chain—but a viable candidate for becoming the most efficient Web3 liquidity layer.Katana represents a powerful reimagining of how blockchain ecosystems can operate—one that challenges fragmentation with focus, and replaces redundancy with purpose. With support from industry giants like Polygon and GSR, it aims to become the go-to destination for deep, usable DeFi. Whether you're a builder, investor, or user, Katana's emergence signals a shift in how Web3 businesses and companies can collaborate to create unified, user-friendly infrastructure. __Learn more about Katana & Polygon here:https://polygon.technology/blog/katana-foundation-announces-katana-network-incubated-by-polygon-labs-and-gsrhttps://katana.network/blog/wake-up-samurai-katana-is-here--This episode is sponsored by the VeChain foundation. Learn more about VeBetterDAO here:https://vebetterdao.org/--Learn more about Web3 at:https://untanglingweb3.com/--Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected] what you're hearing? Show your support by becoming a subscriber and don't forget to leave us a stellar review.The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.

In this episode of Untangling Web3, we sit down with Lory Kehoe, one of the key figures behind Blockchain Ireland, to explore how a country can successfully build a thriving blockchain ecosystem. From his roots at Deloitte to orchestrating national strategies and conferences, Lory shares his firsthand insights into how Ireland became a leading hub for blockchain businesses, companies, and innovation. This episode is a masterclass in ecosystem building, long-term thinking, and collaborative leadership in the Web3 space.Key highlights:Building Blockchain Ireland from the Ground Up: Lory shares the origin story of Blockchain Ireland, which began with a simple meetup and evolved into a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder ecosystem connecting startups, corporates, academia, VCs, and government. He highlights how Ireland’s unique strengths, like foreign direct investment and a mature regulatory framework, were leveraged to position the country as a blockchain innovation leader. What Makes a Successful Ecosystem: The episode dives deep into what the word "ecosystem" really means—far beyond social media followers or dApp counts. Lory defines ecosystems as delicate yet powerful networks made up of distinct but interdependent actors. Ireland’s success lies in its ability to recognize its unique assets and tailor its ecosystem development to suit those strengths, rather than mimicking other countries blindly.Challenges, Milestones, and Resilience in Blockchain Innovation: Lory explains how setbacks often cause public trust to regress, but resilience keeps the ecosystem alive. He shares major wins such as publishing Ireland’s national blockchain strategy, hosting the sixth annual Blockchain Ireland Summit, and bringing together international voices like El Salvador’s digital asset regulator. He also emphasizes the importance of education and real-world use cases—particularly stablecoins—to bridge the gap between technical innovation and public understanding.Ireland’s blockchain story proves that building a lasting ecosystem requires more than hype—it demands leadership, collaboration, patience, and long-term vision. From government engagement to industry meetups and education, Blockchain Ireland has laid a blueprint for how other nations and companies can approach ecosystem growth. Whether you're a policymaker, founder, or curious listener, this episode offers essential lessons in how blockchain can be rooted in the real world. Join us next time as we continue untangling the dynamic, decentralized future of Web3.__Learn more about Blockchain Ireland here:https://www.blockchainireland.ie/--This episode is sponsored by the VeChain foundation. Learn more about VeBetterDAO here:https://vebetterdao.org/--Learn more about Web3 at:https://untanglingweb3.com/--Untangling Web3 is brought to you by hosts Jack Davies and Alec Burns, with music by Daniel Paigge. Got a question or topic suggestion? Send us an email at [email protected] what you're hearing? Show your support by becoming a subscriber and don't forget to leave us a stellar review.The views we express here are our own, and do not represent the views of our employers. Nothing discussed or stated in the show should be considered advice.