Noonies Interview: Khamisi Hamisi on Decentralization of Social Media

Hey Hackers! I’m Khamisi Hamisi, and I’m the Founder of Khamisi Digital.

First of all, a huge thank you to the HackerNoon community and staff for nominating me for a 2021 Noonies award!

As someone in the Digital Marketing industry, I believe that the most exciting technology of the present is the decentralization of social media because it’s high time social media users are in control instead of big corporations. Learn more about my thoughts and opinions on decentralization and my journey in the tech industry via the interview below.

1. What do you do and why do you do it? (tell us your story)

I am a digital marketer and film director. Teaching and showing people how to grow their brands/businesses online makes me happy and content. Other than teaching, I enjoy filming because I love telling stories. My imagination is like a monster that I cannot stop feeding when behind the camera.

2. Tell us more about the things you create/write/manage/build!

I love creating films. It gives me the freedom to be who I want and imagine anything under the sun. They say the sky is the limit, but when it comes to scriptwriting, your imagination is what will determine your limit.

3. How did you end up on your current career path? Do you like it?

I started developing an interest in digital marketing back in 2013 while still a freshman at JKUAT University. A cousin of mine was having trouble finding new clients for her boutique. Since I was staying with her in Nairobi, I had to think of a way to help the store land more clients without spending most of her money on traditional methods. Since then, I started helping friends with their businesses online and finally people from outside. I love what I do.

4. What tech are you most excited or passionate about right now and why?

Deso/Bitclout. This platform will change how people use social media. It is social media by the people and for the people. Unlike other social media platforms, Deso is open source and allows its users to build cool stuff around it. Not a single entity controls the community. You should see how creative and friendly people are on that platform. The future of social media is bright.

5. What tech are you most worried about right now and why?

AI. Artificial intelligence is good. It has helped so many sectors improve and develop in ways we could not imagine. The problem is that we are giving more power to AI than it should have. For example, the robots. These metal things freak me out. Why should a robot cook my food or know my sleep patterns or even drive my car? Should we trust these things with such power?

6. If we gave you 10 million dollars to invest in something today, what would you invest in and why?

Did I read 10 million dollars? Someone call the bank and ask them to roll that red carpet because I'm buying the building. Anyway, I'm just kidding. I would create a platform whereby small creators and talented individuals can showcase their work. In Likoni, where I come from, we have a lot of talented young minds that end up in drug abuse and other illegal stuff because they do not have a platform that focuses on the small creators. Algorithms favor superstars and celebrities who are already established and forget the guys just starting.

7. What are you currently learning?

I am currently learning how to develop blockchain applications. Blockchain apps will help in many areas of the community that are under the control of the few 1%.

8. What’s the best advice you’ve ever given someone?

Happiness is an inside job. Live your life, do not let anyone determine who or what you should be. Live like a kitten. Nothing matters except that yarn you play with and your meals.

9. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Other than death, what's the worst that could happen? Send that email, make that call, apply for that job, show up for the tryouts, and do your best.

About HackerNoon’s 2021 Noonie Awards

The annual Noonie Awards celebrate the best and brightest of the tech industry, bringing together all who are making the Internet and the world of tech what it is today. Please be sure to check out our award categories, nominate, and vote for the people and companies who you think are making the biggest impact on the tech industry today.

The 2021 Noonies are sponsored by: bybit, Dottech Domains, and Avast. Thank you so much to these sponsors who are helping us celebrate the accomplishments of all our nominees.