Universe of Pi

Every day, we open apps to message friends, pay bills, or learn something new. But have you ever stopped to think about who controls those apps? Most of them are built on centralized systems, meaning one company decides how the app works, what data it collects, and who gets access. The keyword here is decentralized applications, and they offer a different way of thinking about technology—one that puts people first. What Are Decentralized Applications? A Closer Look at How They Work Decentralized applications, or dApps, don’t rely on a single company or server. Instead, they run on blockchain networks, which spread data across many computers. This makes them: - More secure, because there’s no single point of failure   - More transparent, because the system’s rules are visible to everyone   - More inclusive, because anyone can use them without needing permission   ADVERTISEMENT Why This Matters in Daily Life Think about how often we’re asked to “agre...

When people hear the word “blockchain,” they often think of cryptocurrency or finance. But there’s much more to it. At Stanford University, Dr. Nicolas Kokkalis saw that potential early on. He created and taught CS359B:  Decentralized Applications on Blockchain, a course that helped students understand how blockchain could be used to build systems that are secure, fair, and useful beyond money. CS359B wasn’t just about theory. It focused on decentralization as a design principle. That means giving users more control, reducing reliance on central authorities, and building systems that work through shared trust. The course also explored how people interact with these systems, how design affects usability and how technology can be shaped by real human needs. At the time, other universities were starting to look into blockchain, but CS359B stood out. It was one of the first courses in the world to treat decentralization as a practical challenge, not just a techn...