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Here we are again. Talking about age, naivety, experience, and how they all tie in together. It’s ridiculous to me how many folks (including myself) have faced ageist discrimination in our lives since we were ALL were young, naive, and inexperienced at some point. One thing I’ve remembered recently and I want to share is that ideas have no age limit. I spent my Saturday with over 10,000 girls on the University of Texas, Austin campus at where our activity was focused on inspiring them to become civic champions by ideating on these three questions: UT Girl Day How Would They Improve Austin How Would They Improve Their Education How Would They Improve Their Transportation UT Girl Day is dedicated to empowering our future leaders in STEM education and especially our young women. Design thinking plays a huge role in this space because our future engineers and scientists have to be at the edge of their knowledge to bring us to the next stage of humanity. I say this with gravity because it is important and so very true. They will need fresh, dynamic problem solving tools to enhance their creativity and ultimately, produce revolutionary solutions to our toughest challenges. I can’t even to tell you how the answers that were shared were some of the most profound, simple, and distilled statements I have ever heard. begin So from this experience, I wanted to share how I hacked my own ageist bias: Listen Honestly It’s that simple. Now, I know that we can sit here and do an active listening exercise and you will remember how to actively engage for the next few hours…but in a week from now, you might talk over someone or find yourself tuning out when someone is speaking. But when it comes to our youth, you have no other choice than to listen. Some talk nonstop, some don’t say a single word, but they communicate so differently than adults. They always waiting for honest engagement and it’s in these moments where you can build a more open, vulnerable space for them to share. And share they will and you will learn something every time. It was fun to watch parents ideate with their children at our event…parents would encourage their child to come up with an idea during the activity and would so often be shocked by the answers shared…everything from biofuel cars to human love campaigns to rocket ships to patience training for teachers…don’t miss a single idea. Dig Up The Why I found this to be fascinating as I circled the room between stations, it was very clear to me that as our young designers mapped out their answers, if any of our design thinker volunteers challenged them by asking “why is this important to you?” or “why does this matter?” — a new level of excitement and energy was sparked. Children would just light up at the question and within a few brief seconds…we could find ourselves at the core of the “why” underneath the idea. It was brilliant. Example: Me: “How would you improve Austin?” Young Girl: “Start litter campaign.” Me: “Why is this important to you?” Young Girl: “We need to respect nature.” Me: “Why does this matter?” Young Girl: “We need it to live.” Simple. Neat. To the point. I’ve sat in meetings where we’ve circulated on the “why” and “return-of-investment” jargon until we’re blue in the face. It was refreshing to be hit with the raw reason time and time again with no hesitation regardless of the idea. Embrace Your Finds It is so easy to dismiss an idea because you feel that the source might not have enough experience or they might seem naive, but there is truth sprinkled in everything, whether it’s what we want to recognize or not. I could easily toss ideas that my peers have, but I don’t. Ever. I listen. We talk about the “why.” We continue to find the deeper truth to what they want to accomplish. From there, learned experience and a larger holistic understanding can be a powerful tool especially when it comes to organizational politics. But I’m not talking about the of the idea, I’m simply talking about having the . execution idea itself That can come from anywhere. So work to find the truth and embrace what you might find. I feel empowered and inspired to be a civic champion alongside my newly appointed peers and I’ve truly walked away with so much more than I bargained for. We’ll be building out different affinity maps based on the 300+ responses we were able to track via an online form. I know that we weren’t able to capture everything, it can be tricky navigating a crowd to submit when they were fixated on playing with chalk, but I can’t wait to see the larger picture. If anyone has interested in running an event similar to this or is curious about how our event went, feel free to reach out to me via and let’s talk! experimental civics A child’s voice, however honest and true, is meaningless to those who’ve forgotten how to listen. — Dumbledore

Quit Making Ageist Mistakes | 3 Ways to Hack Your Own Idea Bias

You’ve just signed up for a hackathon or a friend has given you a ticket. Now what? First of all, don’t panic. I know that it can be nerve-racking, but let’s define some terms for you and talk about why most folks go and what’s going to happen at a general level. What is a hackathon? Everyone has their own specific definition of what a hackathon actually is, but this is my version: A hackathon is essentially a design sprint that can last a few hours to a few weeks. The goal is basically to innovate and create fun solutions to problems. Hackathon 101 Workshop | Photo Credit: Ben Carneiro I direct civic hackathons, which are niche events where we focus on making strides towards solving specific community problems. There are also more general corporate and technology hackathons that allow participants to identify problems and generate solutions around a specific product or business idea. Why host or attend hackathons? Regardless of what your reason might be for attending a hackathon, it’s fine to admit that you have no idea what you are doing, or that this is a bad first date idea. Most folks go because they love the thrill of “hacking.” They love the challenge. ATX Hack for Change 2016 | Photo Credit: ATX Hack for Change For civic hackathons, it’s my goal to draw everyone in by having challenges that are submitted by civic champions (your neighbor, John; your teacher, Jill; basically anyone) and hacked by members. My goal is to empower participants to play with their ideas on how to improve their local environment and redesign it to become more inclusive and functional. Most participants attend because our causes have an impact on their lives and/or because they are looking to be part of a fun community playground. What happens at a hackathon? This might be a no-brainer, but every event has an entirely different schedule. All you really need is your technology and your ideas. I would also recommend reading through the challenges in advance to see what piques your interest. The first portion of a hackathon is often a great chance to network with other hackers and potential civic champion leads. Learn about their different projects and find ways to meet more people that are excited by your ideas. ATX Hack for Change 2017 | Photo Credit: ATX Hack for Change Volunteer Beyond the initial introduction, there is usually a section near the beginning that discusses the different challenges. In some events, like the civic hackathons I’ve hosted, there’s actually a pitching section where project champions talk about their different project ideas. I tend to leave things very open and unstructured so that hackers can decide what they prefer to work on. Hacking in this sense is essentially utilizing your skills to assist with the team’s problem-solving effort. Regardless of your unique skills, you work as a team to build out the different aspects of your project. It could be a highly technical initiative or just a brainstorm on strategy, depending on the issue at hand. ATX Hack for Change 2017 | Photo Credit: ATX Hack for Change Volunteers What else do I need to know? It’s important to take breaks, check in with mentors or organizers to get the help that you might need and have fun with your fellow hackers. I can say with confidence that you will meet a ton of interesting people with a ton of different skills from you, and some will share the same drive on your project or the same passion for your cause. Enjoy the moment to be with your fellow humans, creating solutions to difficult problems. That’s basically all the introduction you need. Go with the flow of the event and enjoy the interactions that happen. Hackathons are a tremendous surge of energy and creativity, with many diverse groups of people in the same place. They are a hotbed of fun problem-solving meant to jumpstart conversations and action within the community. Happy hacking! Want to host a hackathon or learn more, contact me through: and let’s talk. experimentalcivics.io ATX Hack for Change 2017 | Photo Credit: ATX Hack for Change Volunteers

Help! I’m going to a hackathon! | Beginner’s guide to hacking

#BlockchainRant Calling out the gross irresponsibility of ‘expertly’ commenting on barely understood megatrends “Have I got something miraculous for you, ladies and gentleman: Bitcoin at $10,000, Ether at $1,000 and Monero at $500! Guaranteed to make you millions. Step right up, step right up ‘ere!”. Image source: Wikimedia Every bubble is accompanied by self-proclaimed gurus who claim they know what’s going on. When serious questions are asked by people desperately seeking meaningful answers to tough questions about the societal impact , AI, robotics and (EST) will have, they ramble on and on and provide at best nothing but hot air, at worst misleading and feckless crowdspeak. This is downright irresponsible and needs to stop. blockchain Emerging Strategic Technologies In this article I’ll explore 5 frequently asked questions about crypto and blockchain and provide the answers most commonly given by experts and gurus. For each answer I’ll explain why they’re absolutely wrong and why it’s so dangerous to believe or even accept their answer. But first, if you need an example of how the typical blockchain snake oil salesman responds to questions, here’s a 4-minute example: Jeffrey Robinson, author of “BitCon: The Naked Truth” Setting the scene Before any meaningful discussion about blockchain and EST can commence, it’s vital to understand the 3 important forces of change the world is currently witnessing. Each of these forces on their own have significant impacts on society. However, the combined outcome of these 3 simultaneous forces will inevitably result in a global social revolution which will eclipse the impact the Industrial Revolution had on humanity’s evolution. : History tells us all cultures have their sell-by date. The capitalism experiment has resulted in significant inequality and has worked fantastically well for only a small percentage. Even the World Economic Forum between the richest and the poorest is the biggest risk to global stability, but they do not seem to understand that the capitalist experiment will soon fail, perhaps as soon as — that’s what the data says. Crypto currencies must be understood within this context and cannot simply be viewed as an extension of capitalism. Economic Forces knows that the gap early 2020’s : Historically, cycles of precipitated political unrest, war and finally collapse of entire civilisations. The majority of talking heads are blissfully unaware that the end of capitalism might be imminent. The youth are not. However, they have not yet organised themselves politically. When they do, they will start hammering on the doors while the architects of capitalism sit around eating grapes in blissful ignorance. Social Forces inequality and resource overuse : Almost every discussion about EST usually overlooks (or worse, is entirely ignorant of) the biggest breakthrough in accounting since the dawn of man: (or in blockchain-speak, ). Double Entry Accounting was the single accounting breakthrough that allowed globalisation to occur. The societal impact that Momentum Accounting will have will eclipse that of Double Entry Accounting many times over. Technology Forces Momentum Accounting Distributed Ledger Technologies Once the impact of these 3 forces are understood, it becomes obvious that a discussion about EST should only occur within the context of the social revolution they enable. Social revolutions have occurred before (Agricultural Revolution, Industrial Revolution, Digital Revolution), which I’ve written about : meaningful elsewhere _A simple model to explain blockchain, crypto, deep data, AI, ML and IoT in the context of humanity’s evolution_michaelhaupt.com The Journey to Society 4.0: The Evolution of Societies “If I had asked my customers what they wanted they would have said a faster horse.” — attributed to Henry Ford erroneously Here’s the point I’m trying to make in setting the scene: We’re at the moment in human history where we’re no longer only innovating faster, smaller, cheaper — something entirely new is being birthed. If you understand and accept that we are currently transitioning from Society 3.0 to Society 4.0, you will employ 4-dimensional thinking (explained in the above article). If you’re able to understand and accept that society is transitioning, you will employ 3-dimensional thinking. There’s nothing right or wrong about either level of thinking — it’s just useful to understand the context. not For the purposes of explaining why it is irresponsible to comment on barely understood megatrends, I’m referring specifically to the answers and commentary provided by the majority of blockchain “thought leaders” and educators. I’m also referring to corporate and civic leaders and champions working on projects to include blockchain in their institution simply because that’s the bandwagon everyone else is jumping on and they don’t want to feel left behind. These individuals typically employ 3D Thinking. I’m blockchain founders and their teams who are solving real, , because they grok what’s happening. They typically employ 4D Thinking. Sadly, you’ll rarely see them appearing as a talking head because they’re too busy doing . As a result, when you see someone appearing publicly waxing eloquent about a rosy Bitcoin or decentralised future, you can safely assume they don’t know what they’re talking about. There are exceptions, but they are rare. excluding wicked problems actual work [Edit: A reader asked for convincing evidence that I’m not a snake oil salesman — a valid question. The truth is, we are witnessing a moment in humanity’s evolution unlike anything that precedes it in human experience. Anyone who claims to know exactly what’s happening is a fool. At the same time, nothing matters more than at least trying to understand the bigger picture. And I’m certainly not saying I fully understand it all. Pointing at rocks doesn’t make one a geologist. But it’s at least clear to me that we need to understand the megatrends converging at this precise moment in humanity’s evolution. That’s why I’ve made it my life’s purpose to dig deeper than most ‘experts’ go, because I owe it to my daughter to figure out as much of this stuff as I possibly can. Nothing is more important to me than leaving a legacy which will help her navigate more effectively a very confusing world.] “Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it.” — André Gide, French author and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1947 Now that we’ve set the scene, let’s dive into the most common questions I hear about blockchain and EST. For each question I’ll provide a 3D answer (the answer most typically given) and a 4D answer (the answer I suggest will be most helpful to you in understanding what’s going on). Question 1: Where do you think society is headed? : Common answers imply that it is not possible to know where we’re headed. They include mention of social unrest leading towards a collapse of society, with either a dystopian or utopian outcome, depending on the expert’s personal bias. 3D Answer : The answer abdicates responsibility for our future to others. In the past, defining culture was the exclusive domain of philosophers, economists, clergy, artists, technologists and civic leaders. Now, anyone who wishes can become a co-creator in the process of cultural evolution. Exponential technological advances now allow us all to play an active role in the transition to a new system, and it is imperative that we do so. Why this is a dangerous answer : Society is headed precisely in the direction we cause it to move in. The indications are that we are moving from a society defined by in governance, social engagement and economic systems controlled by middle-men to systems defined by owned and operated collectively. It looks like we are seeing an emergence of a co-creative model, characterised by the rise of an entirely new sector that creates platforms self-organised governance and commerce. 4D Answer secrecy transparency, “The future of humanity does not lie solely in the hands of great leaders, the great powers and the elites. The future is fundamentally in the hands of peoples and in their ability to organize. It is in their hands, which can guide with humility and conviction this process of change. I am with you.” — Pope Francis, 9 July, 2015 . : , Further Reading Life Without Middlemen Blockchain Governance Question 2: What advice can you give to children? : The most common answers include: 3D Answer learn the technology behind tools like artificial intelligence, machine , robotics, cryptocurrencies and blockchain learning develop self-confidence and adaptability, and search for challenges worthy of their passion. : The implication with this answer is that the societal status quo will continue and that these tools exist merely to make our lives easier in the existing paradigm. It entirely misses the point that the child has the potential to become a leader in a societal structure that doesn’t yet exist and therefore needs to be open to entirely different ways of being human. Why this is a dangerous answer : The best advice is to help them decide whether they wish to be successful in Society 3.0 or Society 4.0, since success in each society requires radically different skills and mindsets. Only once they’ve understood the differences can further advice be given. There is no wrong decision, but a decision must be made. 4D Answer , Further Reading: The Evolution of Societies Co-Creating Society 4.0 Question 3: What should school-leavers study? : Answers usually include some version of the argument that universities don’t prepare people sufficiently for the workplace and that they should choose flexible or micro-education. Very often mention is made of the trillion dollar student debt in the US, with little hope of it ever being fully settled. 3D Answer : It’s only partially true to say that universities don’t prepare people sufficiently for the workplace. What tertiary education has hoodwinked us into is a belief that it’s necessary to specialise to be successful. If a decision has been made to succeed in Society 4.0, specialising in anything would be the worst mistake since cross-disciplinary skills will be most valuable in Society 4.0. Why this is a dangerous answer : If you’ve made the decision to become a successful leader in Society 4.0, you should study everything you can about Society 3.0 and what caused it to collapse. This is so that you can learn from our mistakes to avoid repeating them in Society 4.0. 4D Answer : , , . Once the role of middlemen in the evolution of societies is understood, watch this early talk about blockchain: by Don Tapscott. Videos to Watch How Big Oil Conquered the World Why Big Oil Conquered the World Data is the New Oil How the blockchain is changing money and business Question 4: What jobs will disappear? : The standard answer compares the Industrial Revolution to the coming Automation Revolution by saying that not all jobs will disappear and that necessity will invent new jobs that we cannot conceive of yet. Some point to the which is to learn to do things machines can’t do well and learn to work with them, rather than competing with them. Menial jobs like cashiers, drivers, burger flipping, miners are often cited with the gleeful announcement that we should be happy for these dirty, dangerous and demeaning jobs to disappear. Little practical advice is given to those who currently perform triple-d jobs, except that we are to “manage the transition.” 3D Answer WEF recommendation : Again, the assumption is that the current model of working for a salary is the only option for meaning in life and that the social contract that requires employment will continue unchanged. But what if Society 4.0 provides a meaningful income without a job? Why this is a dangerous answer : There is good reason to be concerned about which jobs are most likely to be replaced by automation, particularly for the near future (10 to 20 years). However, the bigger question is how do you find meaning and purpose in life if there is no longer a need to work for a salary. Learn how to use that help you connect with likeminded individuals and to tackle and solve. Learn what technologies are being built right now that support Society 4.0 and get involved. This is what will provide meaning in life. 4D Answer tools find wicked problems , Further Reading: Learn About Project 2030 Developments to Watch Question 5: What should I do? : This is an incredibly powerful question, which most experts and thought leaders are completely unable to answer coherently. Most often this is because they do not have a full understanding of the societal shifts already underway. Their answers include things like expose corruption, do not let exploitation thrive, practice transparency and accountability and set the stage for springing into action. Most suggest investing in crypto or crypto-mining, some suggest blockchain startups, but very few provide a solid answer to this most important question, especially when asked by the youth. 3D Answer : At the risk of repetition, the suggestions are usually modest actions which assume continuation of the status quo. While they may be beneficial in the short term, suggestions which are valuable longer term are few and far between. Why this is a dangerous answer : I’ll give you one little challenge if you’re under 30: Get together a group of people to prepare a bill of particulars for a declaration of human responsibilities and stewardship of our human race, our fellow creatures and the planet we live on. Grow that group using your passion, energy and drive. When you have 700m young people in a cohort on Facebook, and they’re all behind your declaration, then you’re at the table. 4D Answer With 700m people you’re at the table virtually and physically and there’s almost nothing you can’t do. You should be able to do this in a very short period of time, because it doesn’t take a lot of organising. Once you’re at the table, you can start negotiating with big business, with governments, with monopolies, with anyone you want to tackle. All it takes is getting 10% of the planet’s population on board and you can literally write our future from the ground up. : educate yourself and get ready for the ride of your life. There’s little more you can do because you’re no doubt so deeply invested in Society 3.0 that making the mental adjustment will be challenging. Challenging, but not impossible. If you’re over 40 : , Videos to Watch The Third Industrial Revolution The Empathic Civilisation Have another question? Add a response and I’ll try to answer as soon as I can. Want to stay up to date on Society 4.0? About Me I’m a , speaker, mentor and advisor tracking the ever-accelerating progress of blockchain technology, the simultaneous rise in decentralisation and what role both play in the . Strategic Foresight Practitioner evolution of humanity My upcoming book, , describes in story-form a decentralised peer-to-peer society built on blockchain. It’s a mix of fact — gleaned from researching hundreds of blockchain white papers — and speculative fiction: . The book, which is available before it’s published, consists of short stories from my real-life daughter explaining to us what life is like in her future society. She will be 21 years old in 2035. Postcards from 2035 faction free online Remember that claps and shares help us all move closer toward Society 4.0! Connect with me on or . LinkedIn Twitter

Why Most Futurists, Crypto and Blockchain Gurus are Snake Oil Salesmen

How Biden's Tech Policies Aim to Safeguard Human Rights

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Wie Bidens Technologiepolitik die Menschenrechte schützen soll

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Comment les politiques technologiques de Biden visent à protéger les droits de l'homme

बिडेन की तकनीकी नीतियों का लक्ष्य मानव अधिकारों की रक्षा करना है

バイデンのテクノロジー政策はいかにして人権保護を目指すのか

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Como as políticas tecnológicas de Biden visam proteger os direitos humanos

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Biden'ın Teknoloji Politikaları İnsan Haklarını Nasıl Korumayı Amaçlıyor?

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拜登的科技政策如何旨在维护人权

HackerNoon COO and CEO Discuss Entrepreneurship, Working With Your Spouse, and More

Where the agora meets the blockchain. It's not a revolution with blaring trumpets; it's the quiet evolution of governance. In the timeless drama of "Antigone" (442 BCE), King Creon faces the paradox of enforcing city laws at the expense of divine mandates. A tale that underscores the need for collective wisdom in navigating the complexities of governance. Now, imagine blending this ancient wisdom with a sprinkle of cutting-edge tech magic. That's the future I sketch here—one where the agora meets the blockchain, and democracy gets a contemporary makeover. Unveiling a Modern Agora: Athenian Vibes in a Digital Forum This vision begins by reviving the spirit of Athenian direct democracy in a digital agora—a virtual gathering place. Echoing the days when citizens actively shaped their city's fate, our agora is a nod to the ancient forums, now translated into digital conversations where citizens can voice their opinions and make decisions collectively. Building Trust in the Digital Age: The Subtle Magic of Blockchain Now, here's where the tech magic quietly slips in. Behind the scenes is blockchain, a digital ledger that ensures transparency and security without much fuss. Think of it as the quiet custodian of our democratic decisions, recording each move without the drama. It's the backstage hero, keeping our democratic show tamper-proof and trustworthy. Economic Empowerment: Councils for Every Voice Shifting gears to the economic stage, we introduce worker and consumer councils for democratic economic planning—modern assemblies inspired by the Athenian ethos of direct democracy, not the liberal representative “democracies” that function more like oligarchies. These councils give individuals a seat at the economic table, where they can shape production, influence working conditions, and even have a say in product design and distribution. It's democracy at work, quite literally. AI: The Wise Sidekick in Decision-Making This vision doesn't stop at historical echoes; it embraces the future with artificial intelligence (AI). AI algorithms work behind the scenes, offering councils a helping hand in decision-making. It's not about replacing human insights but enhancing them. The councils get a digital sidekick, making informed decisions a breeze. Governance in Layers: Nested Federated Assemblies In the governance realm, we're introducing nested federated assemblies—a multilayered approach inspired by ancient Greek polis. Local autonomy meshes seamlessly with global collaboration. It's a subtle self-reflective dance of decentralized decision-making that ensures decisions are finely tuned to local needs while tackling broader societal challenges, expressing self-awareness, and placing sustainable limitations on economic growth. Equity in Action: A Classless Society in the Making Addressing societal imbalances, this vision champions balanced divisions of labor and fair compensation. Automation steps in to handle the mundane, freeing individuals to pursue more fulfilling roles. It's a quiet revolution, striving to close the wealth and power gap and reimagine societal structures without much fanfare. Education: Nurturing the Informed Citizens of Tomorrow Education becomes the cornerstone, mirroring the essence of Athenian paideia, the city, and broader society. We're fostering critical thinking, technology literacy, and civic responsibility. Citizens graduate not just with degrees but with the tools and experiences to navigate the nuanced world of self-governance and economics. It's education as an invisible superpower. A Decisive Moment for Democracy: A Nudge from Castoriadis As we stand at this crossroads, philosopher Cornelius Castoriadis offers a gentle nudge. It's a call to shift perspectives, a subtle rebellion against the dominance of the economic sphere. Castoriadis invites us to reconnect with our essential mortality, shaping a future where autonomy triumphs over barbarism. A quiet revolution in the making, on the ontological plane. In conclusion, this future society weaves together the wisdom of antiquity with a sprinkle of contemporary tech enchantment. The agora meets the blockchain, and democracy gets a fundamental, yet low-key, makeover. It's not a revolution with blaring trumpets; it's the quiet evolution of governance, where ancient ideals dance with modern possibilities. Welcome to the future—a place where democracy isn't just a system but a subtle symphony of voices shaping our collective destiny. delegat0x is a libertarian anti-capitalist R&D Engineer in the crypto space. They write about the intersections between philosophy, politics, media, alternatives to capitalism, social movements, and collective autonomy. Image produced by delegate0x using DALL-E Also published here

How Democracy Can Be Revitalized With an Ancient Twist and a Tech Upgrade: A Peek Into the Future

What's the most vital part of web3? It's not 3D or Virtual Reality, or Augmented Reality. All these things are already in web2. is about the next step of democracy on the internet. Web3 In order to step up democracy, web3 should address being accessible for everyone in ways that will foster diversity, equity, and inclusion, such that everyone's voice can be heard. Not everyone can use a VR. Some people are blind, some people can get motion sickness, some people have low vision, color blindness, etc. Many people can't afford it. The core of the inclusivity issues is accessibility. Once accessibility is gotten right, it gets easier to build a future where barriers dissolve, diversity flourishes, and everyone–regardless of ability or background, finds a meaningful place in the digital narrative. Here are some things we need to fix to be more accessible to people: Access to Technology: According to the , people still pay more than 30% of their monthly income to purchase the cheapest smartphone available in their markets and a magnitude of people can't even afford it at all (they're hopeless). Alliance for Affordable Internet 2.5 billion You can't compare the price of the cheapest smartphones to VR headsets. Web3 should be accessible on different lower-end platforms for people who can't afford headsets till they get cheaper. Web3 builders should build solutions that keep compatibility and optimization in mind for lower-end smartphones and require less processing capabilities and less bandwidth. For me, I feel like rich people keep getting better technology and leaving the poor behind. It's a pressing concern in the digital age. As technology surges forward, there's a risk of widening the gap between the privileged and the underserved. The swift pace of technological progress can unintentionally widen this divide. This goes beyond personal convenience; it affects education, employment, and even civic engagement. There's a critical need for efforts to ensure that serves as a force for inclusivity in order to bridge the gap. web3 technology Only through collective action can we hope to build a world where technology uplifts all, regardless of economic status. Please help share this article when you're done reading--to improve visibility and foster collective action. Age (Ex. KYC4KIDS): Yes, age is often taken for granted. Just like other differences/disabilities, you may not notice if you don't come across people in the category. For example, many Web3 projects require users to upload a picture of a government-issued ID for identity verification purposes and a photo of the user themselves. It is referred to as KYC (Know Your Customer); this process is meant to stop fraud and is based on . banking laws established in 2001 As a minor myself, I can't really participate in many web3 projects because of age restrictions in the KYC (Know Your Customer) process. I was telling my friend about this and how I couldn't take part in the action, and he told me to wait till I was 18. I told him to go away. I did some thinking and realized that it was possible to conduct KYC for minors, and I asked, “Why don't these projects support it?” I built a basic demo as Proof of Concept to conduct parents/guardians supervised KYC for minors, with seamless, secure, and awesome verification powered by metamaps. I call it KYC4KIDS. Now, I'm no legal expert, but I'm hoping web3 projects everywhere could offer inclusivity for kids like me!
I'm hoping these projects can include children in their roadmaps/whitepapers and make us part of the plan.
I hope they can support minors in their in-house KYC, and I hope more KYC services will jump on this bandwagon. Let's make it happen; help get and relay the message out there so we can have #KYC4Kids. Children need to be included in web3. They say children are the future, and web3 is the future, but why are children less inclusive in web3? For all it's worth, web3 should be all about children. Fun fact: people talk about their various use cases and argue who started web3 and for what, but the truth is that Web3 was started by children: children and older gamers were the ones who opened this up with gaming, film, and animations. So don't exclude kids when you're thinking, talking, or building web3. KYC (Know Your Customer): Still on the KYC issue, while the process involved in KYC is still tedious for those with an ID, more than 3 million people in the US alone lack a government-issued ID ( ). Talk less of the rest of the world, and these KYC systems don't even support all countries. NPR The most common form of government ID is a driver's license. How many people drive today? Old people, the poor, some in big cities, and even people in rural areas don't drive. Many old people around the world don't have birth certificates, and some of their names were incorrectly typed on the documents. Which if there's a discrepancy between your birth certificate and other forms of ID, you won't be able to get KYCed or some other IDs. While there are certainly ways around these obstacles, each problem that arises will dissuade more people from accessing and taking advantage of Web3. Onboarding Process: Just think about it: you want to use a web3 site, you're asked to connect your wallet, you try to figure out what it means, and if you're really smart, you understand it is similar to "Sign up with Google.” Okay, you find a wallet app, you download it, and install it. Now you have to sign up for the wallet; you go through the email verification, phone number verification, and set a strong password and everything. Then they give you a security phrase of 12 random words and tell you it's very important for your wallet security, but you can't put it online so that it won't be hacked; writing on paper is a great choice, but you have to make sure you don't lose the paper. You do that, and some of the projects will say that you need to have some balance in the wallet to proceed. You go through all the stress of figuring out how to top up your unreadable wallet address that you can't get wrong and must be sure that it's the right token/coin on the right blockchain. Then they tell you to do KYC, and you go through the difficulties I mentioned about KYC. I don't know about you, but I can barely type this short summary of the process. Imagine doing all these for  something you can easily do elsewhere or for an app you'll probably use only once There are impressive solutions addressing the UX issues, like now you can use simpler names like vitalik.eth to make crypto transactions, and there are features to keep your 12 random words on the cloud and similar things. However, the UX issues are still massive and need more action. Thankfully, incredible solutions are being built, like , for example. Sendtokens Enter Sendtokens, a non-custodial decentralized wallet designed with inclusivity at its core. The platform reimagines how we interact with cryptocurrencies, removing the hurdles of intricate alphanumeric keys. Instead, users can seamlessly send and receive digital assets using familiar emails and phone numbers. With features like Cryptopins and a commitment to scalability, Sendtokens sets a new standard for user-friendly transactions. Its compatibility with a wide range of tokens further cements its position as a trailblazer in the Web3 landscape, offering a bridge to a more accessible and inclusive digital future. Check out Sendtokens Cognitive Overload: You need a high level of expertise to feel comfortable in Web3. The learning curve is very steep, the technology is cumbersome, things are always changing, and mistakes can be very expensive. Many of the terms used are unnecessarily confusing or abstract when they don’t need to be, and using them can stop people from trying Web3. Using terms like "HODL" and "BUIDL" has become a distinctive part of the cryptocurrency culture, reflecting a sense of community and shared enthusiasm. However, it's crucial to consider the audience and context. While these terms may resonate within the crypto community, they can be confusing or alienating to those unfamiliar with them. Striking a balance between industry-specific jargon and accessible language is key. When addressing a broader audience, opting for standard spelling and providing explanations can enhance clarity. There are more reasonable terms that are still confusing, like smart contracts, gas fees, etc. People won't understand what they mean easily unless they understand the core of how smart contracts work or how gas fees work. This is unnecessary because millions of people use web2 every day without knowing the meaning of HTTPS. But if you referred to gas fees as transaction fees instead, it's easier to understand that way. I found the following table in about how we do a bad job of this article communicating web3 It's sad, but it's true. I agree with the author when he said: "Simpler, more inviting language is an urgent first step, but it’s not enough on its own. To be impactful, the words of Web3 must be genuine, too. Less about our awesome tech and more about the user. Let’s show people we really care about solving their problems. Capturing curiosity is the key to welcoming the mainstream. Disabilities: According to the , over 1 billion people in the world have some sort of disability. So, the importance of inclusivity for these people cannot be overemphasized. World Health Organization As a web3 company, you should be conscious of being accessible to diverse individuals and kinds of people. The truth about your target audience and market segments is they're not as similar as you think. I read on Forbes that companies that are more inclusive have more ROI. In just the United States alone, 1 in 4 Americans have a disability and totally spend over $490 billion annually. The disability community encompasses a $1.2 trillion market. Businesses need to be informed that investing in diversity, inclusivity, and equity is not only about compliance but a smart business opportunity and the right thing to do. Authenticity: One very prominent issue is that people aren't what they seem like online in Web2; they only present the most ideal versions of themselves. (formerly Facebook) outline that Instagram is toxic to teenage girls. Even internal documents in Meta I salute projects that do an awesome job helping people to get authentic avatars in the metaverse, authentic NFTs (like trumiinfts), and the like. I asked chatGPT about how to promote Authenticity, and it mentioned things like raising awareness, setting examples, etc. I strongly agree that these are vital steps to driving a more authentic environment to foster inclusivity, but the thing about promoting authenticity is; the people have to want to be authentic. Now, it's difficult trying to convince people to be authentic, given what social media looks like now and statistics on mental health. If we're doing anything at all to convince them, I don't think it's working. On the other hand, in web3–would you want to be inauthentic when you're anonymous? The evolution of technology, driven by decentralization and blockchain, is revolutionizing the way we interact with the digital realm. From static profile pictures to three-dimensional avatars, we've witnessed a remarkable progression in how we present ourselves online. Web3, as the third generation of the internet, marks a monumental shift. It liberates us from the constraints of flat images and gaming environments, allowing us to fully embody three-dimensional avatars in a virtual world. This agency promises an unprecedented level of self-expression and immersion. Through avatars, we have the canvas to represent ourselves as anything we like. Authenticity takes center stage, prompting us to explore facets of our identity that may have remained hidden otherwise. Digital cosplay, for instance, offers a genuine glimpse into our inner selves. Avatars cease to be mere representations; they become windows into our passions, beliefs, and affiliations. Whether it's enthusiasts adopting on-brand avatars or individuals proudly displaying their interests on social media, avatars serve as a powerful tool for personal expression. We just need to keep directing it to encourage authenticity. Data Ownership & Ads Yet, this newfound freedom comes with a critical consideration: data privacy. to reclaim ownership of their personal data, challenging the traditional model where corporations harvest data for advertising. Web3 empowers individuals The emergence of "data unions" ensures individuals retain control, paving the way for a future where fair compensation for data becomes the norm. For brands, Web3 presents a unique opportunity for unfiltered customer insight. Platforms like Discord and Reddit, where users engage with anonymity, offer a window into authentic perspectives. This opens doors for more genuine customer engagement, allowing brands to better understand their audience. In essence, Web3 has the potential to revolutionize how brands connect with their audience, fostering a more authentic and mutually beneficial relationship. This is what's being built at Slakenet, plus the platform rewards people with internet access to make it possible to fund your internet by using it. Marginalized Groups: According to a report by in December 2021, prices for digital avatars from CryptoPunks NFTs fluctuate based on race, gender, and skin color. Mid- and dark-skinned avatars were priced lower on average than lighter-skinned NFTs. Bloomberg Bloomberg also cited data from DeGenData (a CryptoPunks sales tracker), which showed lower average prices for female Punks compared to male punks. Even on the developer side of things, A of 82,286 global software developers revealed that 91.7% of all respondents were men. 2021 Statista survey There are lots of projects out there solving these challenges, and I'm glad about the progress so far. It's also important to keep raising awareness and advocating for inclusion and equity for marginalized groups, including (but not limited to) women, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA community members, and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Conclusion: In the horizon of Web3, inclusivity is not just a principle; it's a powerful force driving digital empowerment. Inclusivity is not a feature but a fundamental right. Through Web3, we have the opportunity to dismantle barriers, amplify voices, and champion a future where everyone is seen, heard, and valued. Together, let us ensure that the promise of Web3 is not just realized but celebrated as a testament to the boundless potential of human connection in the digital age. You can share some other inclusivity issues and raise awareness. I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter

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