I’m learning more and more each day that the uncomfortable conversations are usually the most necessary. So although it wasn’t my first instinct to write this, I understand the impact it may have for artists in the space and for those who may enter the space in the future.

So here’s where it started…

a tweet from @0xHamburglar

https://twitter.com/0xHamburglar/status/1603970326102020096?s=20&t=4mQyXSaiJ8cfEMMeRC_93Q

As soon as I saw this I recognized @JuneJissle’s name. Someone who I consider a brother and friend in this space. Someone who does so much for others and works harder than anybody I know. So I reached out to him. He had no idea his ENS domain was available, much less how to purchase it or the benefits of owning one. So without overcomplicating it let’s unpack this…

Predatory - by definition - relates to seeking to exploit or oppress others.

It’s taking advantage of those who do not have the knowledge or resources to do for themselves. By definition what you’re doing is in fact predatory but let’s continue…

https://twitter.com/hi_mija/status/1604255212193345536?s=20&t=4mQyXSaiJ8cfEMMeRC_93Q

I think that this argument by @Mija is a bit biased and also not fair or realistic. In my eyes a “fan” is someone who is a supporter. Someone who wants to see you do better. Not someone who is looking to capitalize off of you. I don’t know what type of “fan” would sell an artist’s ENS name to them for 1 ETH and then disguise that as a favor…

I guess maybe we have a different understanding of the word “fan”, but I respectfully disagree. I also think that sometimes in this space, artists can feel intimidated or fearful of speaking out on things they disagree with for fear of being ostracized and losing the financial support of collectors, which leads me to my next point…

https://mirror.xyz/0xhamburglar.eth/nEi5n8y6pwPgZ2LwZuNWJ8HyYGLXuT8IkS2lvfSMHfk

Below is a quote from your article…

*“Second, about "trash". I respect your wording, but I don't agree with your point of view. Other than that, I have nothing to say to you. Because when I bought your NFT, you called me "bro".”*

This is something that I take offense to because it implies that because you purchased an NFT, you feel that the artist is inclined to never question your motives or disagree with you.

When Scolla called you “bro”, I believe with everything in me that it was genuine. When he pointed out that your method of buying artist’s ENS domains and selling it back to them was predatory I believe that was genuine as well.

We can stand by each other and still stand for what we feel is right.

To me - and please correct me if I’m wrong - it feels like you are saying you are doing the artist a favor. That they should be grateful for you not charging them more. But why do you need to charge them at all? And if so, why frame it as a favor? A favor - in my opinion - would be to reach out to the artist and say “Hey _______ just a heads up I saw that your ENS domain is available, make sure you grab that before somebody else does!”

Or to purchase the ENS and gift it to them.

Below is another quote from your article I’d like to address…

“Through these comments, I am sure of one thing. It is that the artist believes that the artist can make money from the collector and the collector cannot make a penny from the artist.”

I think that this couldn’t be further from the truth. Most artists within Web 3 are well aware that collectors have the opportunity to make money from them. The secondary market is something that benefits both the artist and collector and in my opinion isn’t directly comparable to this.

You own the NFTs that you purchase. And yes, you own the ENS domain that you purchase. But one is a consumer transaction that offers a utility and the other - again, in my opinion - is more of a capitalistic transaction. You personally have no use for a domain attached to an artist’s name.

I think the bottom line here is that although I disagree I can still respect your opinion. However, I think it requires you to choose a side that I believe you are teetering. If you are a fan, a supporter, a collector, a music lover, etc. this does not align with that stance. But if you are strictly looking to capitalize within the space then I think what you are doing fits that frame of mind.

I am and will always be for the music and musician.

All love, always.

-MRH

I’m learning more and more each day that the uncomfortable conversations are usually the most necessary. So although it wasn’t my first instinct to write this, I understand the impact it may have for artists in the space and for those who may enter the space in the future.

So here’s where it started…

a tweet from @0xHamburglar

https://twitter.com/0xHamburglar/status/1603970326102020096?s=20&t=4mQyXSaiJ8cfEMMeRC_93Q

As soon as I saw this I recognized @JuneJissle’s name. Someone who I consider a brother and friend in this space. Someone who does so much for others and works harder than anybody I know. So I reached out to him. He had no idea his ENS domain was available, much less how to purchase it or the benefits of owning one. So without overcomplicating it let’s unpack this…

Predatory - by definition - relates to seeking to exploit or oppress others.

It’s taking advantage of those who do not have the knowledge or resources to do for themselves. By definition what you’re doing is in fact predatory but let’s continue…

https://twitter.com/hi_mija/status/1604255212193345536?s=20&t=4mQyXSaiJ8cfEMMeRC_93Q

I think that this argument by @Mija is a bit biased and also not fair or realistic. In my eyes a “fan” is someone who is a supporter. Someone who wants to see you do better. Not someone who is looking to capitalize off of you. I don’t know what type of “fan” would sell an artist’s ENS name to them for 1 ETH and then disguise that as a favor…

I guess maybe we have a different understanding of the word “fan”, but I respectfully disagree. I also think that sometimes in this space, artists can feel intimidated or fearful of speaking out on things they disagree with for fear of being ostracized and losing the financial support of collectors, which leads me to my next point…

https://mirror.xyz/0xhamburglar.eth/nEi5n8y6pwPgZ2LwZuNWJ8HyYGLXuT8IkS2lvfSMHfk

Below is a quote from your article…

*“Second, about "trash". I respect your wording, but I don't agree with your point of view. Other than that, I have nothing to say to you. Because when I bought your NFT, you called me "bro".”*

This is something that I take offense to because it implies that because you purchased an NFT, you feel that the artist is inclined to never question your motives or disagree with you.

When Scolla called you “bro”, I believe with everything in me that it was genuine. When he pointed out that your method of buying artist’s ENS domains and selling it back to them was predatory I believe that was genuine as well.

We can stand by each other and still stand for what we feel is right.

To me - and please correct me if I’m wrong - it feels like you are saying you are doing the artist a favor. That they should be grateful for you not charging them more. But why do you need to charge them at all? And if so, why frame it as a favor? A favor - in my opinion - would be to reach out to the artist and say “Hey _______ just a heads up I saw that your ENS domain is available, make sure you grab that before somebody else does!”

Or to purchase the ENS and gift it to them.

Below is another quote from your article I’d like to address…

“Through these comments, I am sure of one thing. It is that the artist believes that the artist can make money from the collector and the collector cannot make a penny from the artist.”

I think that this couldn’t be further from the truth. Most artists within Web 3 are well aware that collectors have the opportunity to make money from them. The secondary market is something that benefits both the artist and collector and in my opinion isn’t directly comparable to this.

You own the NFTs that you purchase. And yes, you own the ENS domain that you purchase. But one is a consumer transaction that offers a utility and the other - again, in my opinion - is more of a capitalistic transaction. You personally have no use for a domain attached to an artist’s name.

I think the bottom line here is that although I disagree I can still respect your opinion. However, I think it requires you to choose a side that I believe you are teetering. If you are a fan, a supporter, a collector, a music lover, etc. this does not align with that stance. But if you are strictly looking to capitalize within the space then I think what you are doing fits that frame of mind.

I am and will always be for the music and musician.

All love, always.

-MRH