The Idealism of Web3: A Hindrance or a Guiding Light?

Web3, with its promises of decentralization, user ownership, and fairness, feels like a vision of a perfect world. A world where power isn’t concentrated in the hands of a few corporations and where diverse voices shape the future of technology. Wonderful! But let’s be honest—this vision can feel overly idealistic, almost impossible to achieve.

The very idea of decentralization, while compelling, raises serious practical challenges. How do you build systems that truly function without central authorities? Honestly, I believe that most founders, regardless of industry, do want to hold control of their project/company. Sometimes we need a reality check. After all, how do you ensure that “everyone” has a say when so many still lack basic internet access or the technical literacy to participate? Web3 technologies are still complex, and the user interface can be frankly terrible. And even within diverse communities, whose voice gets heard the loudest?

These questions are not easy to answer. But I believe they’re worth having a conversation about, because while idealism may feel like a hindrance, it can also be a guiding light. The key lies in balancing lofty aspirations with grounded, practical approaches. In a way, it’s about a dream.

Decentralization
Decentralization sounds great in theory, but implementing it often leads to messy realities. Let’s not kid ourselves—fully decentralized systems can be inefficient, slow, and prone to conflict. Decision-making in a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO), for instance, can lead to disagreements or be dominated by those who hold the most tokens, undermining the very principles of fairness and inclusivity.

Similarly, the idea of platforms “working for everyone” is a beautiful goal, but is it truly realistic? Socioeconomic divides, language barriers, and cultural differences make it nearly impossible to design a single system that serves everyone equally. These idealistic values can feel paralyzing, setting goals so high that progress seems unattainable.

Rather than dismissing these ideals as unworkable, what if we treated them as guiding principles rather than rigid blueprints?

“Idealism doesn’t have to mean perfection; it can mean striving to make things better, step by step.”

Pragmatic approaches to idealistic goals
For instance, decentralization doesn’t have to be absolute. Hybrid models—where some aspects are decentralized, while others remain centralized for efficiency—can offer a pragmatic compromise. Why not use a decentralized ledger and a centralized operation management with a heart in the right place?

Similarly, “working for everyone” doesn’t mean solving every inequity overnight. It could mean prioritizing accessibility and building tools that are simple and intuitive. It could also mean focusing on specific underserved communities rather than trying to please the entire world at once. Instead of saying, “We’ll build a platform that works for everyone,” we might say, “We’ll onboard 1,000 underserved users this year and provide them with the tools they need to succeed.”

Striking a balance in the fourth industrial revolution
Handling idealistic values in the Fourth Industrial Revolution requires a delicate balance. On one hand, we need the inspiration of bold ideals to keep us pushing forward. On the other, we must be realistic about what’s achievable in the short term.

I think for Web3 to succeed, we should approach it with humility and flexibility. Let’s be open to feedback, adaptations on designs, and recognizing that progress often comes in baby steps. It also means accepting that no system will ever be perfect, and sharing what didn’t work is just as important as celebrating successes.

When I get idealistic about something I care deeply for, I like to take a step back and see it as a challenge. A challenge to dream big while reminding myself to stay pragmatic. The Fourth Industrial Revolution isn’t going to be shaped by idealism alone, but that doesn’t mean idealism doesn’t have its place.

The heart of Web3
When it comes to Web3, that idealism—creating a project that’s good for society or aiming to improve the world—is messy. It’s full of obstacles, compromises, and tough decisions. But it’s also necessary. Without that vision to guide us, we risk losing the heart of why we’re building in the first place. It’s about holding on to those big dreams while doing the hard work to make them real.