Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has put forth a proposal to develop a set of metrics aimed at assessing how “aligned” various projects are with the core values of Ethereum. In a blog post published on September 28, Buterin emphasized that achieving what he terms “Ethereum alignment” represents one of the most significant social challenges facing the Ethereum ecosystem.
Buterin acknowledged that the task of measuring alignment is complex due to the diverse range of stakeholders involved, including client teams, application developers, researchers, and local communities. Each group contributes uniquely to the Ethereum network, making it crucial to ensure that all projects collectively foster a cohesive ecosystem rather than operating as 138 incompatible factions.
“The primary challenge is making sure that all these projects are, collectively, building something that feels like one Ethereum ecosystem, and not 138 incompatible fiefdoms,” Buterin stated.
Proposed Metrics for Measuring Alignment
Buterin suggested several “starting points” for these metrics, highlighting the following criteria:
- Open Source Nature: A project’s open-source status allows for code inspection, enhancing security and reducing the risk of proprietary lock-in. Additionally, it enables third parties to contribute improvements to the project.
- Interoperability: The compatibility of applications and wallets with various Ethereum Request for Comments (ERC) standards could serve as a measure of interoperability. Projects that support multiple ERCs may rank higher in terms of alignment.
- Decentralization and Security: Buterin proposed evaluating projects using two critical tests:
- Walkaway Test: This assesses whether an application remains usable if its development team and servers cease to exist.
- Insider Attack Test: This examines how much damage could be inflicted if the project’s team attempted to undermine the system.
- Community Impact: A project could also be evaluated based on its positive contributions to the Ethereum community and humanity at large. Initiatives that promote financial inclusion or develop new public funding mechanisms could be considered more aligned with Ethereum’s values.
Buterin stressed the necessity for Ethereum to maintain a stance of credible neutrality. He articulated a critical viewpoint on alignment, stating, “If alignment means having the right friends, then ‘alignment’ as a concept has failed.” This remark emphasizes that alignment should not hinge on social connections or political alliances but rather on shared values and objectives.
Ryan Berckmans, a member of the Ethereum community, echoed Buterin’s sentiments regarding the importance of limiting marketing efforts among Ethereum builders. He conveyed concerns that excessive marketing could foster a competitive environment that generates winners and losers, ultimately undermining community cohesion.
“While it’s literally good for growth, it ends up turning your chain and community into a politically charged partnership swamp, and that will prevent the serious growth down the line where corporations and governments start relying on on-chain for very important and large activities,” Berckmans stated in an interview with Cointelegraph.
Vitalik Buterin’s Influence in the Ecosystem
Buterin’s insights carry substantial weight within the Ethereum ecosystem. His perspective is often regarded as a guiding force for many projects and community members. Charles Hoskinson, the founder of Cardano, highlighted this influence in a recent interview with Cointelegraph. He pointed out that Ethereum seems to depend heavily on Buterin for strategic direction and motivation.
“Everybody looks to him for the roadmap. Everybody looks to him for inspiration, and he’s also the only person who has enough power to rally people,” Hoskinson remarked.
He further raised a critical question about the future of Ethereum should Buterin be removed from the equation: “If you were to remove him from the equation right now, what’s the next hard fork going to look like, and how quickly can they actually get there?” This comment reflects concerns regarding the potential instability and uncertainty in Ethereum’s development roadmap without Buterin’s leadership.
Vitalik Buterin’s proposal to create metrics for measuring “Ethereum alignment” underscores the ongoing evolution of the Ethereum ecosystem. As the network grows and diversifies, establishing common values and ensuring cohesive contributions from various stakeholders becomes paramount.
The suggested metrics, which focus on open source, interoperability, decentralization, security, and community impact, aim to provide a framework for evaluating projects within the Ethereum landscape. Buterin’s emphasis on credible neutrality serves as a reminder that alignment should be grounded in shared principles rather than social connections.
As the Ethereum community navigates the complexities of growth and collaboration, continuous education about these principles and risks associated with Web3 technologies will be crucial. Only through collective efforts can the community ensure that Ethereum remains a unified and impactful ecosystem.
