Real world problems that web3 could solve--at least for me

This is a weird question. New tech rarely solves some clear, well-understood problem. Sure, now, we can look back and think of the “problems” that were solved by, say, trains, cars, the telegraph, email, cell phones, etc. (We can, also, think of a ton of problems they created.) But when they were launched, all these new inventions were seen as, at ... See more

It solves the problem of creators profiting from the subsequent use of their work

Solving the problem of incentivizing creative work that endures: Most media distribution and monetization models incentivize quantity over quality. Newspapers, radio networks, podcasts, magazines, books, movies, and on and on receive the lion’s share of their revenue in a short window after release. It is increasingly hard for any medium to have bl... See more

Solving the problem of having only one job: Another weird thing about companies is the idea that the best way for human beings to work together on a project is to have all of them work the same, fixed schedule all of the time. If web3 makes it possible to assemble ad hoc, dynamically-rewarded teams more easily, participants can have a portfolio of ... See more

web3 is not good or bad. It just…is

Now, imagine a more comprehensive record of not only what a person has said or done but how they have spent their time and money. POAPs, for example, allow the convener of a meeting to give everyone who attends a permanent, non-transferable token proving their attendance. So, if someone starts spouting off about some local, municipal issue, you can... See more

I do believe that--like, say, email, cell phones, stocks, bonds, and other innovations--web3 is a major new tool that will transform a lot of how we live our lives. It will foster beautiful things and ugly things, crime and charity, love and vicious hatred.

I expect it to become routine--first among younger people in more technical fields--that recruitment will involve looking at someone’s blockchain-backed identity to see a richer picture of the person’s background. If a candidate with an unpromising resume can demonstrate an unusually large number of these Gold Star tokens--in which former bosses an... See more

Solving the “problem of the firm” and assembling quick, purpose-driven teams: With web3, you could announce your goal publicly. People who are interested will reach out. You can quickly see what they’ve done (see above) and choose the team that meets your requirements. You can create a coin or token and distribute it among the team members. You can... See more

My core argument is not that web3 is this amazing thing that will make all aspects of life better. And it’s not that web3 is a terrible thing that will make life intolerable.