Governing through Blockchain: Techno-Communes (Preview)

Governing through Blockchain: Techno-Communes (Preview)

Author: Andrew Heaton February 17, 2026 Duration: 15:27

Jonathan Hillis is the founder and caretaker of Cabin, a network of co-living spaces which link up and vet members in other communities via blockchain technology. His "neighborhood" of intentional living is in beautiful Texas Hill Country an hour outside of Austin, where he lives with friends in a hub-and-spoke model of private accommodation surrounding communal social spaces.

He's the former CTO of Coinbase, and you can see how his tech background influences his obsession with scalability (we talk about Metcalf's Law, and the optimum size of "one sauna teams") as well as the non-financial elements of blockchain to that end. It actually reminds me a bit of Neil Stephenson's Franchise-Organized Quasi-National Entities or "burbclaves" in Snow Crash.

Cabin strikes me as a kind of libertarian commune (though neither Hillis nor myself ever uses the term). It's big scattered geographic network of modular co-ops you can plug into and out of. Vetting community members is a big thing in communes, and Cabin relies on blockchain technology and somethin akin to personal Yelp reviews to allow people to skip up from Austin, TX to like-minded communities in Santa Fe or Portland, or wherever.

He joins to discuss his model, and what day-to-day life is like living in an intentional co-living community.


Finding a sensible conversation about politics that doesn't devolve into partisan shouting can feel like a lonely endeavor. That's the space The Political Orphanage occupies, hosted by comedian and self-described independent Andrew Heaton. This isn't a debate show; it's a series of long-form discussions where curiosity replaces contempt. Each episode, Heaton sits down with authors, policy experts, and various thought leaders to unpack complex ideas without the usual animosity. The goal is to explore the substance behind the headlines-the "big thinky stuff," as he puts it-while remembering that the absurdity of the political world is often best met with a laugh. You'll hear genuine conversations that delve into policy nuances, historical context, and the philosophies shaping our world, all filtered through a lens of wit and a distinct lack of bile. The result is a podcast that feels like a respite from the noise, a place for the politically curious who don't find a comfortable home in the entrenched camps of left and right. It’s news, comedy, and politics blended into something uniquely engaging, proving that serious topics don't require a solemn tone. Tune in for the kind of thoughtful, humorous dialogue that reminds you why these discussions matter in the first place.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

The Political Orphanage
Podcast Episodes
What Happens When the Ayatollah Falls? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:15
If Iran's Islamic Republic collapsed—or got pushed out—who would pick up the pieces? This week we look at the recent history of Iran, and the coup perpetrated by the CIA and MI6. To understand Iran's broader political co…
Sweden Tried Socialism So You Don't Have To [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:37
Is Sweden a socialist paradise? What do they do right and what have they screwed up on? Most importantly, what can Americans steal, replicate, and improve upon? To find out, I abducted the handsome and urbane intellectua…
What the Hell Is Finland Smiling About? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:58
Finland routinely winds up at the top of global happiness surveys. Why? In this episode, I flew to Helsinki to wander around and chat up locals. Trying to figure out why: Their social trust is so teeteringly high How the…
To Make a Terrifying Spoiler Candidate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:54
It turns out, young voters (under fifty) are openly hostile to political parties, and are most likely to flip from election to election. This means the game is about to change as Millennials displace Baby Boomers as the…
Greg Lukianoff is Worried About Free Speech [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:57
Greg Lukianoff is the President of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, and along with Nadine Strossen, is the author of "The War on Words: 10 Arguments Against Free Speech--And Why They Fail."
But Gene Epstein Hates the Fed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:15
Does the Fed achieve its own stated goals? What are underlying ethical or practical issues with it? Soho Forum founder and economist Gene Epstein joins to make the case against the Federal Reserve. The SoHo Forum: https:…
What the Hell Does the Federal Reserve Do? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:27
What is the purported aim of the Federal Reserve? Why is it independent, or shoot for 2% targeted inflation? In part one of our series on the Fed, Jeremiah Johnson of the New Liberal podcast joins to explain, discuss, an…
How to Become Rich Serving in Congress [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:14
How can an unscrupulous person get elected to high office and make a buck by abusing public trust? To look into this matter we speak with former congressman (and former lobbyist) Scott Klug.
China Hates These Two People [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:32
Melissa Chan and Badiucao have both been exiled from the People's Republic of China; the former as a journalist and the latter as an artist and political cartoonist. They join the show to discuss censorship and authorita…
The Two Times We Invaded Canada [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:44
Ever wonder why Canada didn't become the 14th colony during the American War of Independence? It turns out, America invited Canada to join. Then, when they turned down the invitation, invaded. Then again in 1812. In this…