Ethereum Co-Founder Vitalik Buterin Proposes ‘Deep Funding’ Concept Combining ‘Value Maps’ and ‘Refined Human Judgment’

In a recent article published on the X platform, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has proposed a new concept called “Deep Funding,” which combines two key ideas: “value maps” and “refined human judgment.” 

The value map concept suggests that instead of asking “How much has X contributed to humanity?”, we should ask “How much of Y’s contribution belongs to X?” 

This shift in perspective aims to make the measurement of contribution more nuanced and locally focused. 

The second idea, refined human judgment, involves using an open market for AI to fill in all weights, while human juries conduct random checks to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the suggested weightings.

The Challenge of Measuring Contribution in the Abstract

Buterin explains that measuring contribution in the abstract is very difficult. For example, if you ask people how much they are willing to spend to save N birds, the answers might be the same ($80) regardless of whether N is 2,000 or 200,000. 

This illustrates the challenge of quantifying contribution in a meaningful way. 

The value map concept is a response to this challenge, as it focuses on more “local” questions, such as comparing the relative value of A or B to a given individual C.

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The Role of Refined Human Judgment

The concept of refined human judgment is based on ideas from Buterin’s previous work on “info finance.” 

The premise is that anyone can use any method, such as AI, to suggest weights for all the edges in a value graph. 

However, a human jury will then perform a detailed analysis of randomly sampled edges. The final output will be the submission that is most compatible with the jury’s assessment, ensuring a level of oversight and quality control.

Ensuring Transparency and Auditability

Buterin’s proposal for “Deep Funding” is part of his broader efforts to maintain the decentralization and transparency of the Ethereum ecosystem. 

In a separate article, he has pushed back on proposals to introduce centralized committees, emphasizing the importance of verifiability and democratic participation in Ethereum’s governance. 

This commitment to verifiability and transparency is a key aspect of Buterin’s vision for the future of Ethereum and blockchain technology in general.

Potential Applications and Implications

While the “Deep Funding” concept is still in the conceptual stage, it holds the potential to revolutionize how we measure and reward contributions in the digital age. 

By combining value maps and refined human judgment, Buterin aims to create a more nuanced and reliable system for allocating resources and recognition. 

As Ethereum and other blockchain platforms continue to evolve, ideas like “Deep Funding” may play a crucial role in shaping the future of decentralized governance and value creation.

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