Blockchain technology is often hailed as the cure-all solution to many serious problems. I'm delighted to have stumbled upon a book that reveals a layer beyond the glittering surface, and in a way that is informative and entertaining :)
Gerard points out limitations and drawbacks of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. He uses examples from the industry, references names, events, shady facts, dates, and numbers that definitely don't receive much publicity.
Gerard, an award winning ex-music journalist himself, devotes a whole chapter to the relevance of blockchain technology and the music industry. I've often heard people tout blockchain as the solution to the music industry's problems with copyright and distribution. However, as Gerard points out, the reality is very complicated, and any solution will require much thought and careful planning compared to previous attempts.
Overall, Gerard focuses on the negative sides of blockchain technology and how it's superficially developed with many problems that have a history of failing to deliver. While I'm not necessarily an advocate of this perspective, I am skeptical.
I appreciate the much-needed balance that Gerard's work brings. He directly challenges the buzzword-brainwashing and get-rich-quick solutions.