Gavin Wood: From Childhood Trauma to Blockchain Pioneer

Gavin Wood, as a co-founder of Ethereum and the founder of Polkadot, holds a significant position in the blockchain field. In this 3-hour interview, he shared his childhood experiences, innovative ways of thinking, and his views on the future of blockchain technology.

Wood candidly admits that his childhood was not easy. He grew up in a single-parent family, and his mother once had a violent husband. This experience left him with a deep sense of abandonment and also instilled in him a special gratitude for a "safe environment."

When it comes to innovation, Wood believes that a true "idea" is a recombination of fundamental elements, rather than just setting a grand goal. He emphasizes that ideas must be constrained by practical feasibility. Wood's approach to innovation tends to be incremental, seeking new combinations based on known, visible effects.

Regarding the statement "Being too ahead means being wrong," Wood expressed partial agreement. He pointed out that in order for innovation to immediately create value for the world, it must be explained in a way that people can understand. This is also why many disruptive inventions are initially often used for simple or even seemingly childish purposes.

Wood believes that a profound understanding of knowledge is key to driving significant breakthroughs. His work occupies a middle ground between immediate practicality and pure theory, attempting to propose new engineering insights. He believes that a better understanding of knowledge can itself lead to great results and may spawn multiple significant outcomes.

As an inventor, Wood admits that he is often misunderstood for having ideas that are too advanced. However, he believes this is normal, as the limitations of cutting-edge technology are often not fully recognized. Only by deeply analyzing and truly understanding existing problems can one more clearly realize why a certain new solution may be effective.