Random Observation/Comment #774: Don’t discount your capabilities and expertise as a limiting factor to where you can apply it. We can all leverage our experiences and pivot to new opportunities and niche areas. Why this List? This list was inspired by a question from an intern: “if you were just graduating college now, what technologies would you be focused on?”...
Random Observation/Comment #773: Tokens provide exclusivity and collections can build loyalty. Written with Tom Borgers from 3mint. Why this List? By now you’ve probably already heard of token gating, the new Web3 primitive that allows you to gate and gain access to experiences in both the digital and physical world based on your digital assets — tokens and NFTs alike....
Random Observation/Comment #772: Traveling the world and eating fast food restaurants with live podcast recordings? That’s the dream, right? Why this list? I’m still on a podcast binge and this month is Doughboys. They travel and eat at fast food restaurants to rate them (discussion and hilarity ensues). There’s a ton of fun sections throughout the show and one of...
Random Observation/Comment #768: I think I’ve outgrown frugality and backpacking. Where’s the vrbo with the jacuzzi? Why this List? I used to camp, but now my definition of “roughing it” is not having a bidet toilet seat. Especially with a 4-year-old, we’re going to setup the tent next to our car and have the amenities available for comfortable sleeping. When...
Random Observation/Comment #767: I’m a sucker for funny email subject lines. Take my click. Why this List? Since early 2021, I’ve been following Messari writers and have a pro account to read all those spicy takes and great content. What I really love is the daily newsletter title written by Ryan Selkis and his team. Here were 30 of the...
Random Observation/Comment #766: We’d rather be here and now than there looking back. Why this list/children’s book? It’s the little things that makes it all unique and memorable. The attention to detail is a distinct bookmark in my memories. I can have a vivid flashback most quickly when I take photos, but when I can tie in all the senses...
Random Observation/Comment #765: Taking out one intermediary often creates a new one. See Tradfi pivot to CeFi leading to over leveraged systematic risks. Why this List? When you reduce friction for the customer, there’s going to be an “X” as a service play. It was a fun exercise reflecting on what has been created from these models and how “disruptive”...
Random Observation/Comment #764: If you’re in it for the tech and not the economics, then drip savings into ETH and contribute to the ecosystem without worrying about the price. Why this List? The Merge is upon us (hopefully early Sept)! I’ve been keeping track of all dev updates through Ben Edgington’s notes and I realized there’s a lot of marketing...
Random Observation/Comment #763: First off, do half as much. Second, make those half things you do twice as awesome. Quality over quantity. Why this List? I have no shortage of lists, especially “to do” ones. I take pleasure in adding things to them so I can satisfyingly check them off. As I think through all that I can do, I...
Random Observation/Comment #762: Instead of retiring, I’ll just work 1 week per month (maybe just 2 days a week with a reverse weekend) and have my passive income be greater than my spend. Personal financial freedom should be this easy. Why this List? When you attend enough crypto conferences, you find a lot of smart, passionate developers that have effectively...
Random Observation/Comment #761: Elon just Gets Shit Done. Take my Money. Why this List? I’m not an Elon Musk fanboy, but I do appreciate his willingness to take risks and build companies that tackle huge problems in a very aggressive way. I think all the engineers and employees would rather build a product/industry from scratch than rely on another company’s...
Random Observation/Comment #760: Eleven Table Tennis VR has replaced real life TT. I can’t beat no commute and some games between work meetings. Why this List? I have played the Oculus/Meta Quest 2 since April 2021 and I surprisingly still use it everyday (mainly for ElevenVR table tennis – this me). I get a good sweat playing different games and...
Random Observation/Comment #759: I’m just so tired from thinking this week. Why this List? I’ve been learning macroeconomics for the past few years to better understand how different events are correlated to my portfolio distribution. It’s an incredibly complex set of moving pieces, but once you see the factors and think broader, you can connect the dots and basically panic...
Random Observation/Comment #757: For me, traveling is a mentality. I look at my experiences differently and just absorb the vibes of the new culture and people. Why this List? I haven’t done an international trip since COVID started, so I needed to think through this process for my devconnect / ETHAmsterdam conference. Here’s some things I wrote down before my...
Random Observation/Comment #756: After reviewing all these ways I absorb news, no wonder it’s so hard to disconnect. Why this List? I consume a lot of information on a regular basis and I do so through curated smart people and groups. What do I subscribe to? What have I filtered out? Short answer is that I don’t scroll through Twitter,...
Random Observation/Comment #755: I smell the past, present, and future. It always smells optimistic. Why this List? I don’t usually do “favorite” lists because it doesn’t require too much deep thinking, but I’m always game for a nostalgic memorable list connected to senses. (Plus, I just don’t want to exclusively think about the war and crypto). As a person that...
Random Observation/Comment #754: Beer. Drool. Why this List? To avoid thinking about the war and those “what if” situations, I’ve just been drinking more with neighbors. We have aptly named ourselves the Northend Beefcakes. The above photo is my basement “wall of shame”, which is honestly some expensive wallpaper. Risky Sitch by Outer Range brewing Co In The Deep Steep...
Random Observation/Comment #753: Risk management is everything. “Disaster Recovery” planning should be on the top of your list. Why this List? With climate change leading to more wildfires and the world generally in a state of disarray, I revisited our family’s evacuation kit. For any set of situations, it makes sense to put together an easy to-go bag of essentials....
Random Observation/Comment #752: Wars happen over the span of months and years and not days. Constantly reading the next reaction can take a toll on your mental health. Take care. Why this List? We’re on the brink of World War 3 with mainly Russia, China, North Korea, Pakistan, and some other small dictator-led countries Versus Ukraine, countries in the EU...
Random Observation/Comment #751: This year’s ETHDenver event has had more attendees than all devcons combined. Why this List? No surprise – ETHDenver was super cool. 20k+ applications with a 7k+ waiting list at some point. I loved rejoining the conference scene and all the incredible side conversations with new comers and OGs. To facilitate the openness of the Web3 culture,...
Random Observation/Comment #750: I’ll put money into a swear jar (maybe some ETH into a swear DAO) if you get me to use the words “NFT”, “Metaverse”, “DeFi”, or “DAO”. I’m up for the challenge. Why this List? It’s been a long time since going to a conference, but luckily ethdenver is right around the corner and it’s going to...
Random Observation/Comment #749: If DAOs are LLCs then they’ll need to pay taxes. States should jump onboard legalizing these structures to get into the crypto asset class legit. Why this List? The old way of launching projects and fundraising are changing quickly and getting much leaner. I’ve seen talented creatives and influencers with large social reach looking to leverage their...
Random Observation/Comment #748: Investments in time and relationships are more valuable than money. Why this List? Everyone’s looking for some type of financial freedom where the money they’ve saved can be investments that give them passive streams of income. For my personal philosophy, I invest in what I know (which often rules out real estate), and I prioritize time optimization...
Random Observation/Comment #747: It’s always fun to combine passions. I can probably combine eating with anything. Why this Challenge? I love 30 day challenges. I’ve usually done them yearly and the past few through the pandemic has been cooking related. To continue this trend and also the general bullish nature of cryptocurrencies, I’ll make 30 ETH dishes. These are a...
Random Observation/Comment #746: It doesn’t feel like the year has started for me yet. Quality time is tiring, but pretty awesome. Why this List? Covid sucks. Luckily, omicron has lower hospitalization even though it’s spreading like crazy through kids right now. Expecting more quarantine weeks for different parents. Since we’re stuck at home, here’s how we inject some random activities...
