Stephen Astra

The problem with this space is that there is an extraordinary amount of ego everywhere. Everyone thinks they're deserving of greatness. That they qualify. People believe that if they build something great, others will naturally recognize and appreciate it. The reality is much different. You have to capture the attention of people whose attention spans are already stretched thin. Your timing has to be perfect. Your optics, presentation, and public perception have to be nearly flawless. And if they're not? You're a "rugger." A "scammer." Nobody cares about your explanations or excuses. Because there are ten people lined up behind you who don't care what they're called, how they build, or what corners they cut. And chances are, they know how to command the timeline better than you do. My reality is that no conventional skill set adequately prepares someone for working in Web3, because Web3 values success above virtually everything else. Competence, integrity, hard work, and good intentions mean very little if they don't translate into visibility and results. In other words, the people who stand the best chance of succeeding are the ones who are already wealthy, connected, and influential. The same story as everywhere else. Think you'll work your way up through a project? Build something meaningful and earn your place? Your odds may be no better than trying to trade your way there. Less than 5%, if I had to guess. Good Luck.