Blockchain: Bringing the Transformation Home

July 2018

Here’s what Happened at the Austin Forum in June

Thank you to everyone who attended our sold-out event at the Central Austin Library and to our terrific speakers, Jeremy Drzal of Block512 and Karen Kilroy of Kilroy Blockchain!

Missed the event? Catch up here...

Event Slides

#blockchainAF

Event Photos

---

Top 5 Takeaways

1.  Blockchain is best known for its role in cryptocurrencies, and no wonder - there are more than 1600 types of cryptocurrency out there (as of July 1) with more emerging all the time.  But that’s just a fraction of its potential applications. For this session, our speakers focused on other uses for the technology, from supply chain management to proving the provenance of fine art.

2. Investing in building your blockchain skills could be a smart career move. Job postings on LinkedIn for blockchain professionals increased 300% in 2017 alone.  Real blockchain coders are scarce, and lack of documentation and support slows development.

3.  Check out the slide deck or video of this presentation for an easy-to-understand overview of blockchain jargon, from “nodes” to “smart contracts.”  It’s simpler than you think!

4. If you think you can skip learning about blockchain or that it won’t affect your life, you may want to think again!  This slide made a real impression on the attendees (click to zoom):

---

5. Want to get involved locally?
The Austin Blockchain Collective advocates for and showcases blockchain and crypto companies, projects and innovation exploding in Austin, TX. The mission of the Collective is to establish Austin (and the Texas Triangle region) as a recognized global center of innovation in the blockchain space. Practically, it is leading activities that provide tangible benefits to local blockchain/crypto companies and projects whose daily work is making the Collective's mission a reality. 

---

Special thanks to Trifecta on 3rd for another great after-party! Our attendees have shared they want to keep the conversations going after our presentations and networking receptions, so keep an eye on our website for info on future after-parties with food, drinks, and connection.

---

Join us on August 7th for The Promise and the Peril of Gene Editing
with Ilya Finkelstein and Sahotra Sarkar of The University of Texas at Austin.

Since the origins of life, evolution has been driven by chance and natural selection. Today, we wrest control from chance and enter the age of genome engineering. The last decade has ushered in biotechnological breakthroughs that now allow us to edit and rewrite the genetic fate of all living organisms. In this free-ranging discussion, we will focus on the both the technologies and the societal impacts of genome engineering. We will discuss the current state of the art--including CRISPR-based approaches--for manipulating genes for desired outcomes. We will touch on the practical implications in health, agriculture & food production, biomanufacturing, and national security.
​
The age of genome engineering also raises multiple ethical and policy implications from decisions to alter the genomes of humans and other living organisms. What are the risks? What ethical implications must we face, and what policy and legal issues must be managed? Join Dr. Ilya Finkelstein and Dr. Sahotra Sarkar from The University of Texas at Austin as they discuss the science, technology, and applications, and the security, ethical, and legal concerns around gene editing, gene drives, and other genome engineering capabilities. ​

Tuesday, August 7, 2018
6:15 PM – 8:15 PM

Austin Central Library
710 West Cesar Chavez Street
Austin, TX 78701
​
Admission to the Austin Forum is always free.

---

HELP US CLOSE AUSTIN’S DIGITAL DIVIDE
The Austin Forum accepts donations of used smart phones and tablets at all our events.  Donated devices get a factory reset and are set up as new by the team at Austin Pathways’ nationally-recognized “Unlocking the Connection” initiative, which connects every public housing resident with a digital device, digital literacy, and a free or very low-cost internet connection. Your donated smart phone can change lives and help close Austin’s digital divide, thanks to Austin Pathways.