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Blockchain, the technology that underpins the operation of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, is now being taught at Melbourne’s RMIT university.The course will begin mid-March and consist of an eight-week online program that claims to be “the only full-service, research, teaching and industry-linked blockchain body in the world.”Yes, a blockchain body. RMIT has set up what they’re calling a “Blockchain Innovation Hub,” which is a mixture of research, teaching programs, and general championing of the esoteric technology. Because as their new site explains, “Australian businesses are demanding students who graduate work-ready with skills in blockchain technologies,” and then goes on to say something along the lines of we’re here to fill that void.And at this point you might be wondering what blockchain is.Blockchain basically describes a ledger. It’s an giant, decentralised ledger, with data stored on servers and home computers across the globe. And that ledger is used to record the exchange of property between two or more parties. That can be any kind of property, although at the moment it’s generally cryptocurrency, which is generally Bitcoin.But the future, according to some evangelicals—and apparently RMIT’s course coordinators—could be turned upside down by blockchain. There’s an opinion that blockchain technology will eventually alter the world economy and lend itself to all sorts of apps and services that can’t even be imagined. As this article penned by RMIT academics gushes: “some of the most fundamental principles governing our society are up for grabs.”And so, with these opinions in mind, it’s understandable why RMIT might want to start offering courses and build a think tank. Or maybe it's all just a bunch of hype and you'd be better off studying Arts.