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I recently learned what a DAO is and I simply don't understand what purpose a "decentralized autonomous organization" could serve here. What am I missing? Pytho

I recently learned what a DAO is and I simply don't understand what purpose a "decentralized autonomous organization" could serve here. What am I missing? Python, FreeBSD, Debian etc etc have foundations/boards, hold elections and make decisions without anything so complex.

sirsinsalot 4y ago
A DAO is much more like a cooperative. The complexity comes from the value distribution and vote models. That said, you don't need crypto for that, just well made processes.
- isodev 4y ago
  It's really a shame that an entire category of software and organizational practices have been smeared because of "the crypto phenomenon".
  - theptip 4y ago
    Welcome to the trough of disillusionment. It will pass.
  - halostatue 4y ago
    "Smart contracts" are a defining feature of DAOs. "Smart contracts" are not something that are offered outside of cryptocurrency / blockchain platforms. No one has found a viable use for blockchains that cannot be better solved in other means except as massive vehicles for scams. Any organization that tries to implement a DAO / smart contract system for governance is asking for trouble, because they’re legally unsound and untested. As far as organizational structures are concerned, there are plenty of viable structures and legal sorts of entities that can be used. (Gitea Ltd might be able to fix a lot of the goodwill issues by switching to a B corp structure or even to a legal cooperative structure.)
- halostatue 4y ago
  Then just make a cooperative organization. There are legal means for doing so in most jurisdictions. There’s absolutely no need to use a term that makes no sense without cryptoscams and hackable "smart" contracts.
cdumler 4y ago
This premise of a DAO is that votes are the only thing that ultimately matter, which can make things simpler. Something gets presented as a course of action, a vote happens, and the if enough votes qualify you make the action. In a crypto DAO, this voting is implemented in the blockchain's software rules as a contract; thus, it is completely automated. Sometimes, to the dismay of the users. But, there is nothing requiring you to do this in software. It just means they want, in theory, that you'll somehow be able to have a vote without being required to be known or involved directly.
- JW_00000 4y ago
  If the DAO isn't implemented in software using smart contracts, then what is the difference with a "traditional" foundation like e.g. Debian or Python have?

sirsinsalot 4y ago

A DAO is much more like a cooperative. The complexity comes from the value distribution and vote models. That said, you don't need crypto for that, just well made processes.

isodev 4y ago
It's really a shame that an entire category of software and organizational practices have been smeared because of "the crypto phenomenon".
- theptip 4y ago
  Welcome to the trough of disillusionment. It will pass.
- halostatue 4y ago
  "Smart contracts" are a defining feature of DAOs. "Smart contracts" are not something that are offered outside of cryptocurrency / blockchain platforms. No one has found a viable use for blockchains that cannot be better solved in other means except as massive vehicles for scams. Any organization that tries to implement a DAO / smart contract system for governance is asking for trouble, because they’re legally unsound and untested. As far as organizational structures are concerned, there are plenty of viable structures and legal sorts of entities that can be used. (Gitea Ltd might be able to fix a lot of the goodwill issues by switching to a B corp structure or even to a legal cooperative structure.)
halostatue 4y ago
Then just make a cooperative organization. There are legal means for doing so in most jurisdictions. There’s absolutely no need to use a term that makes no sense without cryptoscams and hackable "smart" contracts.

cdumler 4y ago

This premise of a DAO is that votes are the only thing that ultimately matter, which can make things simpler. Something gets presented as a course of action, a vote happens, and the if enough votes qualify you make the action. In a crypto DAO, this voting is implemented in the blockchain's software rules as a contract; thus, it is completely automated. Sometimes, to the dismay of the users. But, there is nothing requiring you to do this in software. It just means they want, in theory, that you'll somehow be able to have a vote without being required to be known or involved directly.

JW_00000 4y ago
If the DAO isn't implemented in software using smart contracts, then what is the difference with a "traditional" foundation like e.g. Debian or Python have?