So, this week, on Tuesday, I had the pleasure of sitting on a panel at the Institute of Directors Open House event to discuss cryptocurrency and blockchain.
I will say, though I've done talks all around the UK and run workshops all over the place, that this was quite the moment for me.
The IOD is a prestigious organisation so to be asked to sit as an expert on a panel talking to a room full of people (nigh on 100 on this occasion) was probably one of the highlights of my career in the crypto ecosystem so far. Obviously I've worked damn hard to get to this point and it wasn't simply gifted to me, all the same it stands as a testament to the effort I've put in, both trying to build the cryptocurrency ecosystem and educating as many people on the subject ass possible.
This link (which I'll inevitably be adding to my website shortly) is something I'm extremely proud of: http://www.iodopenhouse.com/speaker/matthew-baldock-digital-currency-consultant-portsmouth-crypto/
So, the discussion itself;
The panel was hosted by David McClelland who hosts programs on both BBC and ITV, as well as writing for Metro Uk and Computer Weekly.
After introducing the audience to the concept of bitcoin and blockchain and asking a couple of pertinent questions about the future of the technology each of us on the panel had 5 minutes to talk to the assembled crowd about who we are and what each of us do for the crypto and blockchain industry. I won't lie, despite having done talks all over the place, as I sat there and waited for my turn to speak I was shaking, my stomach was churning and I was as nervous as I've ever been before talking to a crowd. The massive cameras pointing at us from the back of the room probably didn't help to calm my fears. As the moment came though and I stepped up to introduce myself all the fear and nervousness was swept aside as I suddenly remembered how much I love being the centre of attention.
I hadn't prepared my 5 minute presentation, I hadn't even considered what I was going to tell them, I simply decided to let it flow. After all, there's three things I love talking about most in this world: My daughter, myself and crypto. I started telling them about who I am, and what I've done in terms of education. I even managed to get a few laughs from the room which is always pleasant. Much beyond that though, I have to be honest, I can't remember. I t wasn't, as mentioned already, pre planned or prepared, though it must have been reasonable because in closing I remember saying "...and with that, ladies and gentlemen, I'll take a bow and retake my seat, thank you". At least, that's how I remember it going. The video, when released, might prove otherwise!
After each of us had introduced ourselves, David then proceeded to ask us a series of questions about bitcoin and blockchain, each of us getting the opportunity to answer and share our knowledge with the crowd. There was one particularly good one about smart contracts, which is a subject I particularly enjoy on account of the way in which such things may, in the near future, begin to cut out the middle men which slow down the passage of funds and which also, inevitably end up costing us all more. In fact, the possibilities for smart contracts are going to be the subject of a later post about the future of our society and way of life which I hope you'll all find interesting.
Once the panel questions were done David threw us to the lions, so to speak, and invited questions from the floor. The first one, which because she used non crypto specific terminology threw mne at first, was about data storage when using blockchains, a particularly relevant question. She mentioned the Lightening Network and asked abut other solutions. I was particularly pleased, later on, having mentioned the amazing project Radix (https://www.radixdlt.com/) which I've been a fan of for years to find there was another fan of Radix in the room, who mentioned the mention in their telegram channel. It's nice to know I might have done my small bit to raise awareness of the project.
The rest of the questions and answers elude me now and we're probably going to have to wait for the video, so I'll conclude by saying that this was an amazing experience and an utter privilege to be invited to speak at such an event.
Afterwards we met in the speakers lounge and were asked to do a short recorded interview, answering several more questions. While I'm no fan of pictures of myself I'm probably going to cringe when we see this video, but, being the blatant self publicist that I am, I'll end up sharing it all with you anyway!
So, to cap off this pst, I'd just like to say thank you to everyone who has helped me and supported me on my journey and shown faith in me. I'll also take a moment to thank all those who told me to quit, to get a "real job",, that I wouldn't make it, because without the anger you guys made me feel I might possibly have not had enough fuel in the fre to drive me forward. I owe my detractors every bit as much as my supporters!
I'll be at the CoinfestUK event in Manchester next month, so if any of you feel like popping by and saying hi, please do! I'll look forward to meeting more of the crypto community in person!