# Web3 has a marshmallow problem | #5

**Published by:** [DAO Experience Design | by Brownrygg](https://paragraph.com/@brownrygg/)
**Published on:** 2022-02-15
**URL:** https://paragraph.com/@brownrygg/web3-has-a-marshmallow-problem-5

## Content

Web3 has a marshmallow problem. In the 1970s Stanford conducted a well known experiment that tested the correlation of delayed gratification with long term success. In brief, a set of children were put in a room alone with a marshmallow. They were told that if they didn’t eat the marshmallow before the adult returned they would get two marshmallows. Majority of the kids stuffed themselves. However, the minority that waited for the adult to return were better able to deal with frustration and stress as adolescents, more likely to have higher SAT scores and were less likely to be overweight 30 years later. There have been many variations of this study done since then that also take into account variables like socio-economic status and familiarity. What does this have to do with web3? The builders are the kids. The hype is the single marshmallow. It may feel good to give into the hype of NFTs, complex Defi solutions, sustainable blockchain solutions - but that is not a long term strategy. Builders that want the upside of this revolution must be willing to undergo the mild discomfort of delayed gratification by asking the difficult questions and engaging in meaningful conversations. If we are serious about building the foundations for a truly regenerative and thriving web3 community, let's set our focus on what we could achieve with two marshmallows instead. **To learn more about the Stanford Marshmallow experiment check it out here: https://effectiviology.com/stanford-marshmallow-experiment-self-control-willpower/ **

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