Random Observation/Comment #794: Death to Crypto. Long Live Web3! Let’s work on tech crypto instead of money crypto. Why this list? I’ve been trying to foster enterprise adoption of web3 since 2014 (with slow and incremental luck). Around 2019, I gave up the “replace post trade financial services settlement layers with better technology” and went full degen exploring DeFi, NFTs,...
Random Observation/Comment #791: “Dad, I’m hungry.” “Hi Hungry, I’m Dad.” – That’s peak dad. Why this List? I love Dadding. It’s an opportunity to say silly things and teach by having fun. I also realize most of the “Dad” things are closely tied to the pride of being handy in home improvement projects. Here are a few of my favorite...
Random Observation/Comment #790: Enjoy the magical period of “roughing it” and “hustling” with a strong metabolism and stamina. Why this list? We have so much expectation for our younger selves. Hindsight is 20-20. 2020 was also a terrible year. If I were to go back, I probably wouldn’t change a thing (besides buy more BTC). The journey was more important...
Random Observation/Comment #789: Make decisions that make tomorrow a better place. Why this List? I’m an optimistic worrier. In previous pieces, I’ve expressed musings around 30 Macro Worries (May 2022), 30 Impacts of war, and 30 bearish trends (Sept 2021). Of course, I was somewhat over reacting and planned too far in advance. To put a spin on similar thoughts,...
Random Observation/Comment #788: Program your own sub routines. I am a robot with feeling. Why this List? Systems make life so much easier and form longer term habits. If you have a good system or routine, you’ll approach problems easier and live without this constant anxiety of needing to meet deadlines for goals. The systems I’ve created make me like...
Random Observation/Comment #786: A writer writes. Try to create as much content as you consume. Why this List? Sometimes I think about being interviewed on a TV show / documentary and looking at my title overlay. What would it say? What if it’s something just descriptively random? ~See Lemons Self Titled
Random Observation/Comment #784: The best notetaking app is the one you use. Inspiration is spontaneous and I love bottling it. Why this List? I’m continuing my end of year activities and previous 2021 version of Random Insights by looking at the randomness in my Google Keep Notes. Here’s some of my favorite out of context random notes from 2022. ~See...
Random Observation/Comment #777: It’s weird how everything leads to sales. We want people to understand and participate in our products. Why this List? There’s no shortage of marketing activities that could help a project or software product move forward and engage with the community of users. While I tried making this a web3 specific list, the truth is that we’re...
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 #771: DAOs – still so hot right now. Why this List? MCON is a gathering of brilliant DAO minds. It’s focused on growing community of organizers and tool builders to tackle the hard questions like – What’s the best way to fight discoordination and harmonize towards a single mission? Does my DAO need a legal entity? Will we...
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 #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 #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 #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 #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 #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...
Random Observation/Comment #743: Even if the years pass quickly, I’ll have a blog of random thoughts. Why this List? When going through my end of year clean up, I archive old Keep notes that come from random inspirations. Here’s some of my favorite out of context random notes from 2021. What we do is much more than what we have...
Random Observation/Comment #741: We can all make someone smile (or help their goals). Why this List? While I’m completing my 30 day challenge contacting my favorite podcasts, I’ve decided to do something for the lovely people that responded. Even just a “like” on a DM or response to an email is super kind and rewarding. I think everyone would want...
Random Observation/Comment #740: Fake internet court is the best form of podcasts right now. Please solve my meaningless disputes. Why this List? Off of the Judge John Hodgman binge I went through a few months ago, I heard the episode about pretzel shapes and got introduced to the “research” of Mark and Hal. Super knowledgeable and happy homage discussions across...
Random Observation/Comment #739: People are pretty amazing. Why this Challenge? Above and beyond my lovely friends and family, I’ve been kept company by the voices and stories from podcasts through monotonous and stressful times. To show my gratitude, I will reach out to all of my regulars (and even record a question!). Here are my top 30 podcasts and the...
