In this conversation, we tease apart the hype from the reality of prediction markets. We also discuss the design challenges and opportunities, including implications for builders throughout. And we cover other information aggregation mechanisms — from peer prediction to others — given that prediction markets are part of a broader category of information-elicitation and information-aggregation mechanisms. Where do (and don’t) blockchain and crypto technologies come in — and what specific features (decentralization, transparency, real-time, open source, etc.) matter most, and in what contexts? Finally, we discuss applications for prediction and decision markets — things we could do right away to in the near-to distant future — touching on everything from corporate decisions and scientific replication to trends like AI, DeSci, futarchy/ governance, and more? Our special expert guests are @ATabarrok, professor of economics at George Mason University and Chair in Economics at the Mercatus Center; and @skominers, research partner at a16z crypto, and professor at Harvard Business School  — both in conversation with @smc90. Tune in: https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/podcast/prediction-markets-information-aggregation-mechanisms/