A month ago, I wanted to write an article to express my thoughts on learning Web3. But when I sat down to write, I realized that my thoughts were scattered and I didn't have a clear idea.
It's actually difficult to describe what I do in the Web3 world. Is it learning? But I have invested some real money, so it's not just about learning. Is it investing? But I don't really care about short-term gains or losses. I'm just excited to venture into the unknown and break the boundaries of my understanding. Maybe it's this indescribable state that attracts me. I often get excited about small iterations in my approach and understanding.
This article is not a formal one. It's more like a murmuring, a way for me to say hello to the new world and convey information to friends in the "old world". I won't write a long article. As for the title, I'll know it when I finish writing.
In 2021, I experienced some uncontrollable events that forced me to stop the design work I was doing. At that time, design work was the support of my inner world and the only expectation I had for the future. But because of an unexpected event, this colorful bubble burst suddenly. For several months, I felt very dark inside. Looking back now, I didn't know that a future world was calling me.
As 2021 is coming to an end, JI suddenly asked me, "Do you know what the 'metaverse' is?" With my strong curiosity, I would definitely Google it. I found the term "Metaverse", maybe in the future, we will put a part of our lives in the virtual world? Maybe, it's an interesting idea. And then, I discovered the word "Crypto". For me, the meaning of this word seems more abstract and harder to understand.
Later, after struggling for a while (the beginning was indeed painful), I gradually understood that Crypto is not just a word, it's a whole new world. You can't understand it just by imagination, you have to touch it, participate in the interactions in the encrypted world, to gradually understand what people there are thinking and doing. They are doing things that we haven't even thought of.
Why can a picture be worth millions in the world of NFTs?
Why is DeFi a completely disruptive financial innovation?
Why is DAO the new form of social cooperation in the era?
I don't have the ability to discuss these big questions, nor do I want to seek standard answers. I want to participate in them. When I get a little inspiration from these questions, I am actually shocked, shocked that I am already standing at the door of a new world. Looking back at the old world, it seems so rigid, clumsy, and unreasonable.
Of course, now I no longer have the excitement of a newcomer. When I see articles that hype or deny Web3, I don't get excited. Objectively speaking, this world is not suitable for everyone. Just like not everyone will board the Mayflower and embark on an unknown journey to America. More people will wait until this world is more established before gradually entering.
The world of Crypto is still a wilderness. 300 years ago, there were no laws, no police, no countries, no street offices, and no urban management on the land of America. In the world of Crypto, none of these exist either. Every day, I experience scams in this world, and I almost fell for them. I have seen project teams run away with funding right in front of my eyes. Faced with this situation, many people in this circle, including myself, never say, "Why don't the police take action? Why doesn't the government take action?" They might think that we are here to establish a new order, and this world should have a new constitution. We are the ones who are building rules from scratch. On the other hand, the wilderness is dangerous for some people and an opportunity for others.
Finally, in the world of Crypto, I have a profound realization: all of a person's past experiences, all the learning, reading, and thinking, are meaningful.
If it weren't for playing independent blogs and downloading files with friends in the Web1 era, I would probably have a hard time understanding the so-called next-generation internet, decentralization, and distribution. If it weren't for extensive reading experiences during my teens and twenties, I would probably have a hard time understanding many things happening in this world.
For those in the Crypto world, most of them are my seniors, and I will try my best to keep up with you. For those outside the Crypto world, you can also come in and take a look. Regardless, we will eventually meet in the new world.
END