Product-First? Protocol-First? Business Development First? Reflecting on my experiences with some of the projects over the last few bull / bear cycles, a pattern emerged among teams that are sprinting towards go-to-market: the choice between a protocol-first, product-first, or business development-first approach significantly influences their strategy and, ultimately, their success. Each approach comes with its own set of merits and drawbacks. Each strategy has its merits and drawbacks. Launc...

"A conversation between RM and ChatGPT about Digital Space." Once upon a time, the internet was a defiant crusade against the tyranny of physical distance, promising a world where a university's archives could virtually rub shoulders with a satellite floating in near-Earth orbit. This was not just about connecting computers; it was about stitching together a patchwork of global perspectives. In this realm, the global and the local performed a fascinating tango, unbound by the mundanity o...

What if…The internet boasts a timeless topology where ordering hinges not on temporal progression, but on data relevance and connectivity.Data and content online exist in a multifaceted state of interpretation, misunderstanding, and relevance, all simultaneously.The absolutes of data and content are a myth; they are intrinsically tied to our context as observers.Data doesn’t lose relevance over time; instead, it 'decays', becoming obscured in the burgeoning expanse of new informatio...

Product-First? Protocol-First? Business Development First? Reflecting on my experiences with some of the projects over the last few bull / bear cycles, a pattern emerged among teams that are sprinting towards go-to-market: the choice between a protocol-first, product-first, or business development-first approach significantly influences their strategy and, ultimately, their success. Each approach comes with its own set of merits and drawbacks. Each strategy has its merits and drawbacks. Launc...

"A conversation between RM and ChatGPT about Digital Space." Once upon a time, the internet was a defiant crusade against the tyranny of physical distance, promising a world where a university's archives could virtually rub shoulders with a satellite floating in near-Earth orbit. This was not just about connecting computers; it was about stitching together a patchwork of global perspectives. In this realm, the global and the local performed a fascinating tango, unbound by the mundanity o...

What if…The internet boasts a timeless topology where ordering hinges not on temporal progression, but on data relevance and connectivity.Data and content online exist in a multifaceted state of interpretation, misunderstanding, and relevance, all simultaneously.The absolutes of data and content are a myth; they are intrinsically tied to our context as observers.Data doesn’t lose relevance over time; instead, it 'decays', becoming obscured in the burgeoning expanse of new informatio...

"A Conversation Between RM and ChatGPT on Digital Space: Disembodied Markets" My most profound thoughts often surface post-run. Yesterday, our team call delved into the realms of intents, permissionless markets, and the concept of 'headless.' Running ignites internal debates and dialogues within me. So during an euphoric runner's high—yes, this part's a bit of creative freedom—I coined the concept of 'disembodied markets.' User? In web3 circles, we love to talk a...

"A Conversation Between RM and ChatGPT on Digital Space: Disembodied Markets" My most profound thoughts often surface post-run. Yesterday, our team call delved into the realms of intents, permissionless markets, and the concept of 'headless.' Running ignites internal debates and dialogues within me. So during an euphoric runner's high—yes, this part's a bit of creative freedom—I coined the concept of 'disembodied markets.' User? In web3 circles, we love to talk a...

TL;DR: This morning I realized that playtesting—traditionally a game development tool—holds untapped value for software development. With this approach, we can not only help improve user experience but uncover new use cases, and ultimately lead to a more refined and versatile product, and tons of examples for us to tell the broader vision of where we could go once we are fully open and permissionless. Sometimes, stepping back and letting users 'play' with your software is all you ne...

TL;DR: This morning I realized that playtesting—traditionally a game development tool—holds untapped value for software development. With this approach, we can not only help improve user experience but uncover new use cases, and ultimately lead to a more refined and versatile product, and tons of examples for us to tell the broader vision of where we could go once we are fully open and permissionless. Sometimes, stepping back and letting users 'play' with your software is all you ne...

"Attention halving." It's a nifty term for a seismic cultural shift, echoing the notion that, like our tech's processing power, everything in life seems to be doubling in speed while our attention span inversely halves. This isn't just about bytes and bits; it's a story that paints across the entire canvas of our history, from the laborious chiseling of pyramids and sculptures to the instantaneous click of a camera and the hit of 'like and subscribe.'Imagine, onc...

"Attention halving." It's a nifty term for a seismic cultural shift, echoing the notion that, like our tech's processing power, everything in life seems to be doubling in speed while our attention span inversely halves. This isn't just about bytes and bits; it's a story that paints across the entire canvas of our history, from the laborious chiseling of pyramids and sculptures to the instantaneous click of a camera and the hit of 'like and subscribe.'Imagine, onc...

Some early thoughts on reputation systems.. In the evolving landscape of digital reputation systems, the role of blockchain technology is pivotal. It brings transparency and decentralization to the forefront, revolutionizing how we quantify intangible elements like reputation. The pressing question remains: can we effectively translate every or even any insight and impact into quantifiable metrics? This debate is rooted in two contrasting perspectives: those doubtful of the feasibility in def...

Some early thoughts on reputation systems.. In the evolving landscape of digital reputation systems, the role of blockchain technology is pivotal. It brings transparency and decentralization to the forefront, revolutionizing how we quantify intangible elements like reputation. The pressing question remains: can we effectively translate every or even any insight and impact into quantifiable metrics? This debate is rooted in two contrasting perspectives: those doubtful of the feasibility in def...

I believe to achieve the work I aspire to do, it has to be sent into the void. The internet might be a dark forest, but for once, I hope there is a hunter out there who is on the lookout for what I hope to do more. I will begin by sharing some of my beliefs and, further down the road, explain where I hope to find space for us to collaborate.OriginsIn essence, networks with inherent value exchanges constitute markets. Flourishing markets do more than attract merchants and users; they become pe...

I believe to achieve the work I aspire to do, it has to be sent into the void. The internet might be a dark forest, but for once, I hope there is a hunter out there who is on the lookout for what I hope to do more. I will begin by sharing some of my beliefs and, further down the road, explain where I hope to find space for us to collaborate.OriginsIn essence, networks with inherent value exchanges constitute markets. Flourishing markets do more than attract merchants and users; they become pe...

A speculative design exploration, reimagining time onchain. What if we created a world where time is dictated not by celestial cycles or biological rhythms, but purely by the vibrant pulse of network activity? Are we challenging our traditional perceptions? Are we already in a future where time is continuous, linear, and intrinsically linked to our digital interactions?Fictional Non-Functional Imagination of an onchain Calendar in a single HTML file hosted on IPFS, minted through Zora.Plugged...

A speculative design exploration, reimagining time onchain. What if we created a world where time is dictated not by celestial cycles or biological rhythms, but purely by the vibrant pulse of network activity? Are we challenging our traditional perceptions? Are we already in a future where time is continuous, linear, and intrinsically linked to our digital interactions?Fictional Non-Functional Imagination of an onchain Calendar in a single HTML file hosted on IPFS, minted through Zora.Plugged...

This is just a casual personal reminder to myself as a designer: I adore tools like user journeys and personas. They're fantastic starting points, but let's face it, life is predominantly mundane. The truth hits hard – people often don't read thoroughly, their enthusiasm may be less than I anticipate, and convenience is their king. Moreover, while I design and build, it's easy to fall into the illusion that my creation will be the epicenter of a user's life at the mom...

This is just a casual personal reminder to myself as a designer: I adore tools like user journeys and personas. They're fantastic starting points, but let's face it, life is predominantly mundane. The truth hits hard – people often don't read thoroughly, their enthusiasm may be less than I anticipate, and convenience is their king. Moreover, while I design and build, it's easy to fall into the illusion that my creation will be the epicenter of a user's life at the mom...

Friday Design Fiction I want to brute-force into existence.www.4thwall.venturesWe keep it succinct because your time is as precious as ours. We're a tight-knit squad of doers —builders, strategists, designers —investing our most precious resource, time, to empower visionary builders who expand our human capabilities with emerging technologies. We bypass traditional partnerships and advisory roles for direct involvement, standing firmly by your side. For us, equity is not merely a transac...

Friday Design Fiction I want to brute-force into existence.www.4thwall.venturesWe keep it succinct because your time is as precious as ours. We're a tight-knit squad of doers —builders, strategists, designers —investing our most precious resource, time, to empower visionary builders who expand our human capabilities with emerging technologies. We bypass traditional partnerships and advisory roles for direct involvement, standing firmly by your side. For us, equity is not merely a transac...

*"A conversation between RM and ChatGPT about Digital Space." * We often liken our interoperable, composable, modular decentralized smart contracts to LEGO, don't we? My fascination with LEGO runs deep – in my case, I even worked there. But it wasn't just the sets, the themes, or even the neatly packaged boxes that captivated me in my childhood. It was how each set told a story or contributed to a larger narrative – a standalone adventure waiting to be unfolded. Opening a LEGO box, ...

*"A conversation between RM and ChatGPT about Digital Space." * We often liken our interoperable, composable, modular decentralized smart contracts to LEGO, don't we? My fascination with LEGO runs deep – in my case, I even worked there. But it wasn't just the sets, the themes, or even the neatly packaged boxes that captivated me in my childhood. It was how each set told a story or contributed to a larger narrative – a standalone adventure waiting to be unfolded. Opening a LEGO box, ...