Recently I’ve been watching a lot of videos about the power of words.  About the idea that words are magical spells.  This article is not about that, perhaps I’ll go into this deeper in another article… [Here is a short video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJTpwe3OiV8) that explains well this idea. What I want to talk about is crypto-currencies and the blockchain, as it applies to law and the idea of word magic...  Blockchain, that is an interesting word, don’t you think?

![blockchain.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmWK7Ab4rCd2L3Qm2UN9ghbuiszTHBgvh8eLaayEWfj9dq/blockchain.jpg)

I am by far not an expert on these technologies, but I do have a good understanding.  I also know a fair amount about programming. I am extremely optimistic about the potential cryptocurrencies and the blockchain hold in freeing humanity from debt slavery. Though... I think this technology also holds the potential to enslave us further.  In simple terms keeping financial transactions transparent will make things inherently resistant to corruption.  Though, just because there is a ledger, it doesn’t mean that transactions can’t be masked.  Additionally, Ethereum allows for private blockchains.  Systems could be designed using these technologies that could be arguably more constrictive than those that exist today. I don’t think it is a coincidence that we see Ethereum being embraced by [major corporations](https://cointelegraph.com/news/microsoft-goes-ethereum-561-bln-us-company-releases-ethereum-based-protocol-coco) and [government entities](https://www.coindesk.com/united-nations-sends-aid-to-10000-syrian-refugees-using-ethereum-blockchain/).  Does this mean the Ethereum is evil? No, of course not. It can be used for evil, and it can also be used for good. Just like anything else, intent is the key.

If you look into how the law works.  You will see that law has it’s own language.  Words have completely alternate meanings to what the layman would expect.  Actually, there are many dark aspects to what we call law.  This again, is a subject into itself.  That said, it is apparent that majority of the populace knows little or nothing of how the legal system works.  They, for the most part, just blindly put faith into it.  Most lawyers don’t have an understanding of the entire overarching legal system we have in place. Most are just specialists within specific areas of the law. This is by design, the system is designed to be so complex so as to obfuscate its’ purpose. 

The Architect: “What is the Matrix?”
Neo: “Control.”

In computer programming there are many languages. Ethereum has it’s own smart contract language called Solidity. Currently smart contracts are focused on financial uses. Programming languages are logic based, so it is excellent to be used in these areas.  It is feasible to speculate that a language could be designed to work within the social and criminal aspects of what we call law.  When something is logic based, it is either true, or false. If such a language was developed, it could be argued that when the law was broken, a court would be unnecessary.   The code would become judge, jury and … well you know.  It could also conceivably be used in court preceding as well, making the system more streamlined.

On the optimistic side of this is there are many, many developers who understand these systems. Many of these people have a strong passion for freedom, liberty, and individuality.  This means that we can use the these technologies to create systems that will uplift humanity, instead of enslave it. When we look at how government and law works today.  It is clear it boils down to who we allow to have power and authority over us.  Clearly, those with the power and authority in our current system are corrupt. It appears that there is a chance here for us to design a new system, and render the old obsolete.  

So back to the word Blockchain.  If humanity entrusts development of systems using this technology to a select few. Then it is almost certain humanity will be chained to blocks designed by the masters of the future. Or if we all learn to use these technologies we will have the power to block the chains of those who wish to enslave us.

I am writing a Science Fiction Novel around these ideas here on Steemit.  Check it out [here](https://steemit.com/fiction/@axiom-prime/naked-chapter-0-1).