# DAOs in <200 words

By [Midnight Musings](https://paragraph.com/@midnight-musings) · 2021-10-19

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_tweet me_ [_@\_Sarah\_Du_](https://twitter.com/_Sarah_Du) _with more thoughts, questions, & resources_

What exactly is a DAO? Here are 5 of my favorite definitions, in no particular order:

1.  According to Vitalik Buterin in [“DAOs, DACs, DAs and More”](https://blog.ethereum.org/2014/05/06/daos-dacs-das-and-more-an-incomplete-terminology-guide/), DAOs == **automation at the center, humans at the edges.**
    
2.  A socio-economic definition by [Mario Laul](https://society.mirror.xyz/4jGQznFpgO1QvTg9VVtb7U7MYTHITuxkazUyDtnhwkI): DAOs can be defined as organizations that combine **automation** _(via distributed computer networks and smart contracts)_ with **crypto-economic incentives** _(via tokens stored in distributed ledgers)_ and **human collaboration** _(mostly online, relying on both crypto-native and traditional web-based coordination tools)._
    
3.  The essence as captured by [Coopah](https://coopahtroopa.mirror.xyz/_EDyn4cs9tDoOxNGZLfKL7JjLo5rGkkEfRa_a-6VEWw): “DAOs are internet communities with a shared cap table and bank account, **a commitment to share value** with a community.”
    
4.  Two conditions a DAO must meet from [**Spencer**](https://twitter.com/spengrah/status/1432799536838332423) (h/t [@DaoHaus](https://twitter.com/nowdaoit) for sharing)
    
    1.  all members have at least some **direct control** over the org’s assets and actions
        
    2.  **nobody other than the members** can shut it down
        
5.  This [analogy](https://twitter.com/petergyang/status/1447605297808232448) by [Peter](https://twitter.com/petergyang) comparing **a DAO to a tech startup:**
    
    1.  instead of applying for a job, you join the startup’s Slack with one click.
        
    2.  you can work via bounties or teams. Bounties = a massive JIRA board. Team = a slack channel where you can volunteer to do something / see what other people are working on.
        
    3.  others can submit proposals for you to get paid.
        

### Bonus

*   DAOs as a **framework/ethos** (of a well functioning community)
    

[https://twitter.com/evabeylin/status/1396184123761303554?ref\_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1396184123761303554%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1\_c10&ref\_url=https%3A%2F%2Fgnosisguild.mirror.xyz%2Ft4F5rItMw4-mlpLZf5JQhElbDfQ2JRVKAzEpanyxW1Q](https://twitter.com/evabeylin/status/1396184123761303554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1396184123761303554%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fgnosisguild.mirror.xyz%2Ft4F5rItMw4-mlpLZf5JQhElbDfQ2JRVKAzEpanyxW1Q)

*   DAOs enabling more independent careers, allowing us to **“open-source ourselves as workers”**
    
    *   “If joining a startup is signing up for a seat on a rocketship, joining DAOs is **snooping** on a bunch of rocketships being built, figuring out which rocket-building team you **jive** with, and **stepping in** with a wrench where you see fit.” - Annika Lewis [here](https://annika.mirror.xyz/RSS779e5d6PoW1y4x2KDYwnoZSnDnJm_rgIoyga5dcY)
        
        [https://twitter.com/divine\_economy/status/1423674134685388805](https://twitter.com/divine_economy/status/1423674134685388805)
        

Resources
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[https://linda.mirror.xyz/Vh8K4leCGEO06\_qSGx-vS5lvgUqhqkCz9ut81WwCP2o](https://linda.mirror.xyz/Vh8K4leCGEO06_qSGx-vS5lvgUqhqkCz9ut81WwCP2o)

[https://coopahtroopa.mirror.xyz/\_EDyn4cs9tDoOxNGZLfKL7JjLo5rGkkEfRa\_a-6VEWw](https://coopahtroopa.mirror.xyz/_EDyn4cs9tDoOxNGZLfKL7JjLo5rGkkEfRa_a-6VEWw)

[https://annika.mirror.xyz/9yxmN8Sh3\_i43zgFWxQjNVMaL3vqNHGJ\_JERr\_sgEmk](https://annika.mirror.xyz/9yxmN8Sh3_i43zgFWxQjNVMaL3vqNHGJ_JERr_sgEmk)

[https://blog.ethereum.org/2014/05/06/daos-dacs-das-and-more-an-incomplete-terminology-guide/](https://blog.ethereum.org/2014/05/06/daos-dacs-das-and-more-an-incomplete-terminology-guide/)

[https://gnosisguild.mirror.xyz/t4F5rItMw4-mlpLZf5JQhElbDfQ2JRVKAzEpanyxW1Q](https://gnosisguild.mirror.xyz/t4F5rItMw4-mlpLZf5JQhElbDfQ2JRVKAzEpanyxW1Q)

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*Originally published on [Midnight Musings](https://paragraph.com/@midnight-musings/daos-in-200-words)*