“Technology” has been used as a generic name for Blockchain. Which, of course, it is… though not exactly; not really. Using improper words — even when preceded by the word “new” — always brings confusion, instigates wrong assessments and revives unverified connotations. Regarding Blockchains, the word technology has obliterated the unprecedented progress that this “new technology” may represent in terms of a better management of resources, whether human or material, or even virtual, for the benefit of all. Thus, we at Horyou believe that it is high time that Blockchain technology is debunked. We have been very attentive to all demonizing campaigns which, at social, political, economic and financial levels, have sought — and still seek — to discard an infrastructure which, based on thorough research and assessment conducted by us, has now led us to see it as a unique opportunity to make the world a better place, when taken in the right direction.

What Blockchain really is

But before we go into the details, let’s get back to basics and give a reminder of what Blockchain really is. For indeed many wrong things, though most with the best intentions, have been propagated and said. Dark sides have been highlighted and unavowable designs have been denounced. But never has the simplest of definitions been given: put simply, Blockchain is database. This is what Blockchain really is. A new form of database, true, but one that, contrary to any other form of database, is, by design, intended to be shared (either publicly or privately, with permission to access). In other words, Blockchain is open database. That’s all it is. Hence, the question is not to determine whether, as such, it is good or bad, but how to best use it? Or better yet: How to use it for the good?

How to assign a purpose to the Blockchain?

Blockchain is infrastructure used to store, reference and transfer data; but it does not stop at that; for Blockchain is also a mechanism by which all the above can be recorded as is, with no possibility to alter, pervert or suppress. Whether public — no permission required — or private — permission required -, Blockchains are by nature transparent. All actions (read, write, or read and write) on the network must be validated by, and visible to, all participants on the network. If any action is not visible to all participants, the action cannot be properly validated. Hence, participants would always retain the benefit of a shared infrastructure while maintaining a level of security and privacy.

Seen from that angle, Blockchain has the potential to be an enabler and accelerator of positive change. Our goal at Horyou is to use it as a disruptive means to fundamentally contribute to shaping a more inclusive and harmonious world, in resonance with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as outlined by United Nations.

The impact of Blockchain on the future of humanity will undoubtedly be huge. Hence, the biggest challenge is to determine the type of future we want and how to best use Blockchain to enable it. An infrastructure and mechanism that simplify the way we do things is well and good, but ones that make for a fairer, more inclusive and more sustainable world is much better. We call it Blockchain with a purpose.

Technology that serves the economy and makes it more sustainable and inclusive has been much talked about and less often implemented.

Which is why the word “technology” is often weighted with such a bad reputation. The unfortunate fact is that while the great majority of people has been granted easy and fast access to the Internet to produce unprecedented market growth and prosperity, the technology that made it possible has mostly served to concentrate ownership and wealth in the hands of just a few corporations and individuals and has left behind the millions of people who have significantly contributed to its development. In doing so and in many regards, it has increased the scale of inequality. In turn, concentration of ownership has generated concentration of financial leverage and power, building a high wall that separates “winners” from ‘losers”.

The solution to the concentration of power is decentralization.

In that respect, Blockchain has taken industries by storm in showing them a new way of embracing technology that promises more inclusion and participation.

Despite the fact that it currently is — at best — confronted with skepticism and reticence, and — at worst — with denigration and sometimes fierce opposition from the beneficiaries of the “traditional system”, Blockchain technology holds great promise. Its philosophy supports financial inclusion, and its use for social good is expected to come naturally.

Our goal at Horyou is to use Blockchain as a true enabler of social innovation, as well as a fundamental means to shape a better future for all.

It is in line with the above that we are now introducing HoryouToken, our utility token which aims to create a community incentive to leverage social media activities to induce positive and meaningful interactions, as well as to enable social good as the protocol layer for Horyou.

That is Blockchain with a purpose.