Greedy Degens in Control of Web3
For too long, the narrative has been dominated by hype, numbers—metrics, valuations, and growth rates. Degens have been in control. But what if we shifted our focus away from the tech-first approach and instead prioritized the well-being of the people who will inhabit our web?
The next edition of our digital environment should not be defined by the latest buzzwords or the promise of decentralization for its own sake. Instead, it should be built on a foundation of human-centric principles, designed to address the greatest challenges facing humanity today. And we have plenty of issues within health, education, equality, and the climate that Web3 technology can be a solution for.
For example, blockchain-based identity solutions are giving people in underserved regions access to financial services, education, and healthcare, empowering them with autonomy over their own digital identity. Meanwhile, in developed countries, Web3 is transforming access to essential services—decentralized health records are improving patient care, blockchain-based education platforms are making high-quality learning more accessible, tokenized carbon credits are useful in climate action, and decentralized funding models are helping close economic gaps, fostering greater equality.
No, we never needed decentralized digital casinos.
A human-centric web is one that places people at the heart of its design and purpose. It's about creating digital spaces that enhance our lives rather than consuming them. Hey, Web3 is supposed to be about freedom. Think about how the technology of the web is sucking the attention away from our reality and stealing our time. We really need to be moving away from the relentless pursuit of engagement and attention and towards fostering genuine connections and meaningful experiences.
It’s common sense. Technology is not an end in itself but a means to support our well-being. A world where the tools we build are designed to solve real problems. This is not about chasing the next 1000x coin; it's about building a future where technology serves as a force for good. We could start by addressing how Web3 technology is sucking us inside the web instead of assisting our life in reality.
“We need increased awareness of how the web touches our sensitive lives.”
As humans, we are incredibly sensitive to technological changes, with even subtle shifts in our digital environment profoundly influencing our behaviors, emotions, and overall well-being.
The tech-first approach has led us to a place where innovation often feels disconnected from the realities of everyday life. We've become accustomed to chasing the next big trend, the next disruptive idea, without always considering the human impact. But what if we flipped the script? What if we started with the problems that matter most to us and worked backward to create solutions that truly make a difference? For real this time!
This shift requires a change in mindset—one that values empathy as much as innovation and prioritizes impact over hype. It means involving different voices in the creation of technology, ensuring that the tools we build reflect the needs and experiences of all people, not just a tech-savvy privileged few.
“The future of our digital society is not predestined.”
It's a choice—one that we make every time we decide what to build, how to build it, and why. In the end, the success of our digital future should not be controlled by greedy degens. Even our digital future is about people. I hope.