TL;DR
- Vitalik Buterin stated that users do not need to share their opinions to use Ethereum, nor do they require approval from him or anyone else.
- His criticisms, personal preferences, or political views do not constitute censorship; users and he can critique freely without affecting the protocol’s operation.
- Ethereum allows multiple visions to coexist on the same base layer, supporting ecosystems that reflect specific values without limiting the overall use of the network.
Vitalik Buterin made it clear that users do not need to share his opinions to use Ethereum. The permissionless protocol ensures that no person, not even Buterin, controls who builds on the network.
This applies to DeFi applications, decentralized social networks, privacy-preserving payments, artificial intelligence, politics, and personal preferences. The infrastructure allows users to operate freely without requiring approval from Vitalik, the Ethereum Foundation, or client developers.
A Free Ecosystem for Coexistence and Development
Buterin separates his personal opinions from protocol neutrality. He stated that his critique of empty corporate applications, preference for the YYYY-MM-DD date format, stance against suits and ties, or choice of cuisine in Berlin does not affect Ethereum usage. Criticism does not equal censorship: users can critique him, and he can critique users. This dynamic, which he defines as “the grand bargain of free speech,” allows the expression of principles without limiting protocol operation.
Ethereum’s design allows multiple visions to coexist on the same base layer. Developers’ personal principles influence what is built, but they do not restrict other uses. Buterin compared Ethereum to Linux: the system can support different applications and ecosystems while guaranteeing user freedom. Developers can create full ecosystems that reflect specific values without preventing others from using the network differently.
The boundaries of each ecosystem are fluid. A developer can align certain aspects with their values and others with different criteria. Ethereum allows diverse visions to coexist on the same infrastructure, offering freedom to define applications, protocols, and digital services. The network supports machine-to-machine payments, programmable transfers, and services coordinated by autonomous software, as long as users respect the protocol’s decentralized structure.
Buterin: Ethereum Does Not Belong to Any Set of Values
Buterin emphasized that Ethereum does not belong to any individual or collective set of values. The protocol is neutral, open, and accessible to all. Users do not need anyone’s permission to build on Ethereum or deploy their own applications. Creating ecosystems that reflect specific principles is independent of the network’s general use and the development of other applications.
Buterin’s message establishes a clear framework: Ethereum functions as a base infrastructure supporting multiple approaches, allowing critique and respecting user freedom. His personal opinions do not condition protocol operation or limit innovation within the network. Each developer can build according to their values without affecting others
