All Segments
From Rule of Law to Rule of Code | Ben Horowitz
13 segments available
The US legal system was built on predictability, but it is now a political battleground. Ben Horowitz explains how prosecutors and judges have become above the law. They discuss why a16z left Delaware for Nevada and why the only neutral future is the rule of code. If these ideas interest you, we're building startup societies at Network School. You can apply online at https://ns.com. OUTLINE 4:15 - The digital is inspiring the physical 6:40 - Communities Ben Horowitz would like to see 11:01 - The Special Elon Zone 20:48 - What the state cares about is power 26:34 - Huge strength of US has been rule of law 29:52 - Rule of law into rule of code REFERENCES I. Books * The Hard Thing About Hard Things: https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Thing-About-Things-Building-ebook/dp/B00DQ845EA/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0 * The Network State: https://www.amazon.com/Network-State-How-Start-Country-ebook/dp/B09VPKZR3G II. Studies and Articles * Netscape: How the First Commercial Web Browser Shaped the Internet: https://yourstory.com/2023/07/netscape-journey-first-commercial-web-browser * Wyoming's DAO law: https://www.wyoleg.gov/2021/Introduced/SF0038.pdf * Tennessee's DAO law: https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/112/Amend/HA0748.pdf * Worldcoin is surging in Argentina: https://restofworld.org/2024/worldcoin-argentina/ * Malaysia collaborates with Worldcoin to enhance digital ID verification: https://dig.watch/updates/malaysia-collaborates-with-worldcoin-to-enhance-digital-id-verification * "Leaving Delaware" by Elad Gil : https://blog.eladgil.com/p/leaving-delaware * a16z on moving from Delaware: https://a16z.com/were-leaving-delaware-and-we-think-you-should-consider-leaving-too/ * Cryptocurrency's growing role in US elections: https://www.eiu.com/n/cryptocurrencys-growing-role-in-us-elections/ * The GENIUS Act of 2025 - Stablecoin Legislation Adopted in the US: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1582/text * Apple forced to ease rules on crypto applications: https://dig.watch/updates/apple-forced-to-ease-rules-on-crypto-apps SOCIALS https://x.com/ns https://x.com/bhorowitz https://ns.com/
Segments Timeline
Unifying the Internet's Building Blocks
Ben discusses the evolution of internet companies and the potential of network states to integrate various digital community tools.
"Ben, thank you for speaking at the Never State Conference. >> Good to see you, biology. Ready to go. >> Awesome. So, you know, Ben, you've been uh you know, a mentor and I think I'd say a friend hopef..."
Integrating the Pieces for Success
This segment explores how successful system integration relies on the maturity of individual components, using Bitcoin as an example.
"the knee and the curve when is at the integration. And it doesn't seem in a way it doesn't seem like a lot because all the pieces were already there, but the pieces as pieces just aren't, you know, it..."
Communities at the Intersection of Ideas
Exploring the power of communities that unite diverse ideas and interests.
"there's you know prospera which has mini and it's inspireing by the biotech innovations >> and then there's another one that's booting up which inspired by all the educational innovations. >> Yeah. >>..."
Evolving Digital Communities Beyond Chat
This segment explores the potential transformation of online groups into more dynamic, multi-dimensional communities.
"and what we're doing in network school is a permanent where it's like a permanent setup >> yeah exactly that's right so a pop-up like a one-mon thingish right um and so it's longer than a conference b..."
Revolutionizing Meetups with Location Tracking
This segment explores how integrating location tracking into chat interfaces could simplify organizing meetups and reduce social friction.
"you just said, >> uh you kind of want to be able to boom hold a meetup within the chat or like hit a button and and create a meetup or boom hold a meetup and do maybe like a quick VR talk or something..."
The Vision for Special Founder Zones
This segment explores the concept of special economic zones tailored for innovative tech leaders, focusing on unregulated territories for rapid technological advancement.
">> Okay. Well, that was a waste of a message for me. >> Yes. The thing is that the people would have to also want to be location tracked. It has to be done in exactly the right way that they feel they..."
Creating Special Economic Zones
The segment discusses the concept of special economic zones and their potential benefits for fostering innovation and reform.
"Um, you know, there are certain states of course you could never do it. Um, but but but for sure and and I think it could be it could not only be really productive but it would also kind of create a v..."
Progressive Tech Legislation Around the World
This segment explores innovative tech legislation in various regions, highlighting progressive approaches to digital policies in the US and abroad.
"in Singapore. >> Yes. So So I I'm I I want to of course it'd be amazing if we do in the US. And in a sense, if you can do in the rest of the world, then that gives you a template to bring into the US ..."
Power Dynamics in Tech Policy
This segment explores how nation-states increasingly engage with technology policy, motivated by issues of control and power.
"prime minister of the UK and she was going through like you know like like what's your differentiation? She's like growth like like we can grow the economy and I was like wow that's a very interesting..."
Tech's Meritocracy and Global Diversity
Exploring the shift in perception towards tech's inclusivity and meritocracy amidst its evolving landscape.
"for you know you're you're a little bit older than I am actually 15 older and you know during the period where for for many years we had to convince people that tech was important. >> Yeah. And then s..."
Rebuilding Law with Code
This segment explores the politicization of law and how blockchain technology offers a new framework for legal integrity.
"maybe you'd agree with that. Well, I definitely think so because the thing that we've seen, you know, in the US over the last probably mainly over the last five years is, you know, we've always kind o..."
Restoring Order with Code
Exploring how consensus protocols can reshape society and promote global trust through blockchain technology.
"decided the contract was invalid um and okay that that That's that's interesting. But if it was a smart contract, then there's no you know there's no third party. >> That's right. And you know, one of..."
AI: The Crypto Catalyst
Exploring how AI and crypto can complement each other in building trust and real-world solutions.
"belts and smoking three packs of cigarettes a day. Like that insane. Like what are you guys doing? Um but we have to get that underpinning um in order you know and I think that needs to be the way tha..."