A blockchain is a decentralized, distributed ledger that records transactions in digital blocks connected through cryptography. Each new block must be validated by the network through a process of verification and consensus before being added to the chain. This validation process ensures security and transparency without the need for a central authority. Advantages of blockchain technology include increased transparency through an openly viewable record of transactions, enhanced security through encryption, and decentralization that avoids single points of failure. Examples of blockchain applications include decentralized social networks, marketplaces, and ridesharing platforms that operate without central operators by leveraging blockchain and cryptocurrency technologies.

1. Blockchain

2. Question # 1
What is a blockchain?

3. https://www.hyperledger.org/
http://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/how-blockchain-will-change-organizations/
A blockchain is
 a secure platform where buyers and sellers can
store and exchange value.
 an operating system for marketplaces, networks, and
communities.

4. http://blockgeeks.com/guides/what-is-blockchain-technology/
The blockchain enables peer-to-peer payments
– resulting in a decentralized sharing economy.

5. Question # 2
How does a blockchain work?

6. How does
a blockchain
work?
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/joining-the-blocks_how-blockchain-could-soon-affect-everyday-lives/43003266

7. Blockchain transactions are continuously verified, cleared,
and stored by the network in digital blocks that are
connected to preceding blocks, thereby creating a chain.
Each block must refer to the preceding block to be valid.
http://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/how-blockchain-will-change-organizations/

8. Question # 3
What advantages of a
blockchain are there?

9. 3 advantages of a blockchain:
1. There is no central database. A blockchain runs on computers
provided by volunteers around the world.
2. Anyone can view the blockchain at any time. It is open and public.
3. A blockchain uses heavy-duty encryption to maintain security.
http://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/how-blockchain-will-change-organizations/

10. The blockchain / trust economy trend represents a remarkable
power shift from large, centralized trust agents to the
individual.
With the development of blockchain, business and government
will have to create new ways to engage the individual.
https://dupress.deloitte.com/dup-us-en/focus/tech-trends/2017/blockchain-trust-economy.html

11. Blockchain technology facilitates the emergence of new forms of
organizations, which have no hierarchical structure.
Users contribute to and govern the platforms. They are also shareholders of
the platforms. This will enable people to cooperate toward the creation of a
common good, while ensuring that everyone will be duly compensated for
their efforts and contributions.
https://hbr.org/2017/03/what-blockchain-means-for-the-sharing-economy

12. Question # 4
What are some
concrete examples?

13. https://akasha.world/, https://steem.io/ and http://www.synereo.com/
are applications / social networks that have been deployed on a
blockchain.
These applications / social networks work without a central platform
and without an organization to manage the network. The platforms are
run in a decentralized manner - aggregating the work of disparate
groups of peers which coordinate themselves through a set of code-
based rules enshrined in a blockchain.
https://hbr.org/2017/03/what-blockchain-means-for-the-sharing-economy

14. https://openbazaar.org/ is a decentralized marketplace.
The peer-to-peer network is not controlled by an
organization. It is a community of people who want to
engage in trade directly with each other.
https://hbr.org/2017/03/what-blockchain-means-for-the-sharing-economy
https://openbazaar.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/207982443-How-does-OpenBazaar-work-

15. http://lazooz.org/ and https://arcade.city/ are ridesharing
platforms. The platforms operate in decentralized ways
without a centralized operator. The platforms rely on a
blockchain to reward drivers contributing to the platform
with specially designed tokens that represent a share in the
platform.
https://hbr.org/2017/03/what-blockchain-means-for-the-sharing-economy