The November Reading List
1/ Digital economies, gaming, and IP legos
On the three big trends that will see the gaming industry evolve over the next few years; blockchain-based economies, modding and creator UGC and IP legos.
2/ Expanding our cultural reference points
I loved this tweet thread from the ‘Crypto, Culture & Society’ DAO, recapping a recent talk from @HipCityReg on the importance of changing our shared imagination to a better one, when it comes to the potential for Web3.
“The narrative sources of crypto are driven by fear. The lack of trust in systems and the fear of economic collapse. Even the literature we return to is dark literature: William Gibson's Neuromancer or Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash.
If we root ourselves in fear, darkness and alienation, web3 will face the same struggles as we do today in the sense that we're not speaking to real problems. We need better, stronger narratives about systems and how these tools should and can solve for systemic problems.”
3/ The internet needs better rules, not stricter referees
A great post on the real solution to the problem of social media regulation and its negative impact on the masses, rather than stricter rules, we need new business models, ones that don’t prioritise inflammatory content in the name of increased engagement, in order to sell eyeballs to advertisers. Web3 is a step in that direction.
A brilliant in-depth long read on how incentive design will be the great unlock for Web3 and where we are in the process of building for this future.
“The base layer of a new world needs to be ready before you can start building cities on it.”
I adore this from author Anne Lamott on the importance of writing shitty first drafts, in order to get something, anything down on paper. A great lesson for writers and strategists.
“Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts.”
6/ Idea Legos
I love this concept of 'idea composability', the exponential increase in the speed of innovation powered by the inspiration generated when we build and share in public.
“Idea composability is under appreciated because it’s hard to measure and trace. But idea composability is one of the main contributors to all of the progress and speed we’re experiencing. Ideas are building on each other more quickly than ever before, too. “
7/ NoPixel and the new creator auteurs
An insightful overview of NoPixel, the role playing mod of GTA V & how it's tapping into two massively growing trends - The growing importance of UGC in gaming and the continuing evolution of the Creator Economy. Could Web3 take it further?
8/ Beyond Metcalfe’s Law for network effects, and towards a better model
Great piece on the importance of getting more granular re: our understanding of network effects to help us build better products & user experiences, by borrowing from the research of renowned ecologists.
9/ And you will know us by the company we keep
An in depth exploration on the fundamental flaws of the social graph (the core of Instagram & Facebook) and how interest-based graphs are the stronger solution (TikTok).
10/ Super-Apps are inevitable, get ready for the first $10 trillion tech company
On the imminent arrival of super-apps in the West and how the payment providers may be best placed to build them, given that transaction capability is the bedrock.
Note: Jack Dorsey is reportedly stepping down as CEO of Twitter (Web2) to focus on Square (Web3)…is he building a super-app? I think so.
11/ The subtle look and overwhelming feel of today's misogyny
A brilliant analysis of all the subtle ways misogyny remains embedded in our society - from washable white shirts 'especially for Moms', to celebrating lone Dads in the playground with their kids, to 'me time' & 'wine mom' memes.
Enjoy :-)
(As as always, if you want the ‘full throttle’ version of all my other links, ramblings and ideas, you can find me on Twitter)