The phrase “testing in production” often emerges with a shrug in the tech world, typically used to dismiss bugs or justify less-than-perfect releases. However, this phrase encapsulates a much broader and profound concept, especially within the blockchain ecosystem. It signifies a stochastic approach to experimentation, a method that acknowledges the inherent unpredictability and complexity of systems at play.
Stochastic, in its essence, refers to systems or processes that are inherently random. It’s a term borrowed from mathematics and physics, describing scenarios where the outcome is probabilistic despite being influenced by certain laws or patterns. Quantum experiments, for instance, distribute photons in ways that can only be predicted probabilistically. This randomness doesn’t imply chaos but a different kind of order, one that emerges from the interplay of countless variables.
Noam Chomsky, in his sociological and political analyses, laments the impossibility of conducting scientific experiments with countries as subjects. He can’t have two identical Earths with just one differing variable to study outcomes. Instead, Chomsky observes the world in all its complexity, drawing conclusions from the patterns that emerge. This approach mirrors the stochastic nature of experimentation, where direct causality is elusive, and understanding comes from observing a multitude of outcomes.
Many blockchain experiments are fundamentally economic, exploring new ways of organizing resources, incentives, and governance. These experiments are akin to firing photons in a quantum experiment; we can’t predict exactly where they’ll land but can learn from the patterns that emerge. Complex modeling, such as that undertaken by the Token Engineering Commons, often falls short in predicting the success or failure of blockchain protocols. This unpredictability underscores a point made by Nassim Taleb about the folly of relying too heavily on predictive models. The real world, especially one as complex as the blockchain ecosystem, defies neat equations and forecasts.
This brings us to the concept of “play” as explored in “Finite and Infinite Games.” The blockchain ecosystem, with its myriad protocols and decentralized applications, is a playground of infinite games. These are not games played to win in a traditional sense but to continue playing, to explore, to experiment. The culture of Horizons described in the book speaks to this idea of play, where the goal is not to reach a final destination but to expand the field of play, to push boundaries and explore new possibilities.
In this light, “testing in production” is not a flippant dismissal of rigor but an acknowledgment of the complex, stochastic nature of the blockchain ecosystem. It’s an invitation to play, to experiment, and to learn in a landscape where the rules are emergent and success is not a destination but a journey. This approach doesn’t eschew planning or modeling but recognizes their limitations in the face of complexity and embraces the stochastic, probabilistic nature of innovation.
The evolution of encryption and the development of blockchain protocols reflect a profound engagement with creation for its own sake. In the cryptographic realm, embracing uncertainty has led to innovations that secure our digital interactions, while the pursuit of possibilities has opened new avenues for decentralized applications. This shift from viewing digital assets as property to exploring the possibilities they unlock mirrors the transition from finite to infinite games. It’s a testament to the power of viewing the digital landscape not as a machine to be optimized for predictable outcomes but as a garden where diverse ecosystems can thrive.
The concept of “testing in production” in the blockchain ecosystem embodies the infinite game’s ethos of collaboration and inclusion. Unlike finite games, where competition and exclusion are often the norms, the blockchain community thrives on collaborative experimentation. This approach welcomes uncertainty and views every participant as a valuable player in the ongoing game. It’s a powerful reminder that the goal is not to win but to continue exploring, learning, and growing together, ensuring that the game of innovation never ends.