Interactional Aesthetics of Blockchain Technology

Abstract

Blockchain technology holds the potential of facilitating fundamentally novel ways for users to relate to systems of finance, governance, and identity management. At the same time, the inherent complexity of blockchain systems makes designing for and interacting with the technology profoundly challenging. Furthermore, the question of how social interactions will change under the influence of Blockchain systems remains an open one. In this paper we examine how concepts and procedures adopted from interaction aesthetics can serve as an intellectual and methodological lens to creatively and critically examine the emerging technology of the Blockchain.