Everyone has opinions, and no one needs another one (mine) .. but, here it is.. And maybe it's a bit of a hot take What digital ownership has always needed was broader acceptance and adoption .. the message to the wider world should have been: - look how we can now blend culture with our digital lives, which we all live now (for better or worse) - look how creators in all media can break new ground with new tools, how culture can be augmented in interesting ways - look at how this tech can be used by anyone, anywhere with an internet connection.. borders-schmorders - look at how it can work for all sorts of things that require a record of provenance & ownership, with art being just one beneficiary There was a backstory, a history - early adopters, internet culture, trading.. That should be respected for sure.. But it was time to open the doors, spread out, include everyone, push on The wider world was suspicious bc a lot of it seemed like a grift.. A lot of it was (but there are grifts wherever there are people) .. But people with good intentions and big dreams had a chance to show the possibilities - the why-it-should-be-adopted & what can be achieved .. The unsustainable bubble of 2021-22, fuelled by covid, at least had that part - peak dreaming.. Everyone optimistic & excited .. The price correction needed to happen but the dream-correction didn't But in the aftermath the message to the wider world was lost .. The casino dominated & the house, as always, won.. I understand the notion that 'people make the money to collect by trading' but I think it's bullshit, and a terrible foundation for culture, that it can thrive only to the fluctuations of a bet.. We wanted to tell the world 'look what can be done with digital life and creativity' but we told them: $hitcoin The message within the 'space' also got lost .. Curation & gatekeeping got totally confused .. It should be: Curation is good, Gatekeeping is not.. The idea that creators need to 'grind', 'network', to always assimilate the historical themes (eg memes & coins) - all bollix when the truth is they just need to dream & not have guide rails put on that.. otherwise - that's gatekeeping So the breakdown in the message to the wider world left us with the same small pool.. Dwindling, in fact, as artists want to go where their work is appreciated, and collectors to where they won't lose their shirt .. Artists are still trying but there is only so much you can take, collectors who collect for culture, for the love of the art, can't collect everything from everybody .. As a friend pointed out, we're in the rave at 7am when most have gone home And now, bc of this breakdown, the models here are collapsing.. Platforms are closing or 'pivoting' .. The DJ is packing up the decks or switching to jingles.. Add to all of this the long list of hurdles culture itself is facing (from TikTok attention spans to streamers affect on film & tv to just being in a period of time when culture-consumption is a low priority) and it's a tough time for a new idea to catch hold There is still hope for the future of digital ownership, the tech is too exciting & useful to fail.. There was bound to be a massive course correction during these early days .. Evolution when sped-up can be brutal .. But, imo, we need to stop gatekeeping ourselves to death & open it up - show everyone why it's not (all) a grift, why it can be a great thing for culture, and why culture is important - fundamental, in fact, to being a human Keep it lit, if you can.. even an ember PS.. Personally, I am not soap-boxing here.. my own message got broken.. I tried too many things to complete them all.. I'm sure I let people down.. But I have a lot of years ahead and that ember to hold on to.. Still dreaming basically (& still aiming to complete those ideas)