A New Kind of Marriage: Smart Love Unveiled

Meet Smart Love, the innovative application by Bitnation that’s aiming to reshape the concept of marriage via the Ethereum blockchain. Why is marriage the vehicle for this grand adventure? According to Bitnation’s CEO, Susanne Tarkowski Tempelhof, it’s because—hold onto your hats—marriage is more than just a romantic commitment; it’s a full-blown jurisdictional extravaganza!

The Need for Change in Marriage

In a world where love takes many forms—LGBT, inter-faith, and polyamorous unions—traditional marriage sometimes feels like a museum exhibit: outdated and not made for everyone. Susanne explains that by digitizing the marriage contract, they cater to communities largely left out in the cold. Elements like choice of law, arbitrators, and escrow management are at your fingertips, similar to choosing a topping for your gourmet pizza, but with a lot more legal pizzazz.

Marriage: A Serious Affair (With a Twist)

When Cointelegraph asked about Susanne’s own wedding on the Bitnation platform, she cheerily acknowledged that their union isn’t just a tech prototype—it’s real deal vows (complete with puppy)! But why the rigorous barriers to exit? Susanne likens it to a tattoo: fun to get, but a headache to remove. This ensures people think twice before waving goodbye at the first sign of trouble

Why Ethereum? The Blockchain of Choice

“Why Ethereum?” you may wonder. The answer isn’t that Ethereum threw the best party—though it might have! Susanne argues that Ethereum is tailor-made for smart contracts. It’s like having a germ-free workspace while crafting your legal masterpiece. And while Ethereum is the current superstar, Bitnation has its sights set on a future with Rootstock and the Bitcoin blockchain too. Who knows? You could be swiping right in the future on Bitcoin love contracts!

The Vision Beyond the Hackathon

As for the upcoming Ethereum Hackathon? Susanne isn’t biting her nails over a trophy; she sees it as an opportunity for conversations that matter. It’s not about glory; it’s about engaging with the community for a better understanding of what a blockchain jurisdiction could look like. Think of it as throwing a potluck where everyone brings ideas instead of food (but hey, snacks wouldn’t hurt either!).

Core Elements of Pangea Jurisdiction

Now, let’s dig into the nitty-gritty. Smart Love encompasses:

• Codes of Law (CoL): Custom or existing laws you can pick and choose like toppings on a salad.
• Mediation and Arbitration (MaM): People choose their peer juries, much like choosing a Netflix show – only hopefully less contentious.
• Incentivisation, Deterrent and Enforcement (IDaE): Multisig escrow that guards mutual assets, because locked treasure chests are far cooler than your average piggy bank!
• Defined Area of Responsibility (DAoR): A distinctive jurisdiction that gives a sense of boundary (like a ‘do not disturb’ sign for your shared assets).

In summary, Smart Love is not just about tying the knot with flair; it’s about reinventing marriage for all, blending technology with love to create communities built on mutual respect and understanding. Now, if only it came with a guide on picking the right wedding toast!