How to Build a (Crypto) Community - Three (3) Lessons from Games Developer Conference (GDC)
I am sitting in the middle of Lumosity in San Francisco, waiting for a Consciousness Hacking meetup to start. The topic tonight is on Human Flourishing. Consciousness Hacking is a community around using technology to help people like you and me with well-being. Guests sign in and they place one word by their name tag: "What are you like when you are flourishing?" My friend Reese just surprised me. He walked in and said, "I don't know about this." Then, he laughed. I closed my laptop. Ha!
One of my friends on Facebook has been asking me about my takeaways, especially from crypto events. Since I am at GDC this week, I thought about writing about community and what community means in a blockchain crypto decentralized empowered global kind of way. As I finish the previous sentence, a designer looks at me. She smiles. I love the Consciousness Hacking community.
- Common Purpose
Communities generally have a common purpose, whether it is a community around camera ownership, Minecraft or shoes. I personally believe that such common thread connects us all. Even though I don't know you, do you feel connected to me? Are we part of a larger community because I love humanity? embracing human potential? the spirit of decentralization? have a vision about the collaboration of humans and AI? Or is it enough that I am on steemit, drafting sentences, sharing a bit of my life with you.
- Be Vulnerable
Mike Laidlaw, in his panel on "Empires to Ages: Storytelling Lessons Learned in 14 Years at BioWare," spoke about being vulnerable as a leader, as a storyteller. I thought it is vital to be authentic, to be real, to be human as a person as well as a community. And that includes providing honest peer review and feedback.
On my name tag at Consciousness Hacking, I placed "Michelle is excited!!!" My friend Glen walked by and said I am always excited! A few seconds later, the community leader asked: "What are you like when you are not flourishing?"
Most people are afraid of being vulnerable. Your co-workers may think you are showing off. You don't want to get your boss mad. You may be rejected by the person you have a crush on. Since life is capped (as of today anyways until we expand our life cycle), is this fear greater than honest feedback that would improve your company's product? the chance that the person of your dreams may say a big awesome super mega fabulous YES? your own well-being?
Are you judging the way I write! :O I am not hiring ghostwriters, I am writing in and out of conferences, and despite your judgment, my intention is to share what I learn. Maybe ONE person may find these ramblings useful. Oh well, we are only humans. ;)
- Create boundaries
Dr. Jennifer Hazel, Founder of CheckPoint, in her talk "Managing Your Community's Mental Health: Where's The Line" discussed the importance of setting boundaries for the community as well as yourself. You are the creator or determinator of your line. Draw it well.
I am thinking of a few boundaries I have. Hmmm..... 1) I don't like to work with assholes. 2) I don't like sketchy folks including those who fit into one of those descriptions in the book "The Little Prince." 3) I cannot dance with anyone who has sweaty hands.
Let's make that more positive. 1) I love working with good people. 2) I respect those who care about the world. 3) I only dance with folks without sweaty hands.
Thank you for sharing this planet with me. Whether at GDC, a crypto event or a basement in the middle of nowhere, we are one world. One people. One community.
Excellent article Michelle! I think we need to tell @birdinc that the numbered bullets arent working correctly ...errr should I put that more positively... everything on steemit is awesome, except the numbered bullets not working correctly!
Haha Three 1s are not so bad! 😊
I was just going to say, all the points seem equally important! They are all number one :)
Community is the core of any decentralized project. I appreciate you sharing this message and helping to spread what the root of all of this is about. :)
You're welcome!
Thank you! :)
I believe but cannot prove that 'crypto meetups' are thinly veiled law enforcement attempts to assign every anon coin address to a face.
I see no reason to have a crypto meetup, the entire purpose of encryption is to ensure security and anonymity, doxing yourself is really the opposite of crypto.
In this sense, steemit is not crypto, nor is bitshares. They are simply websites which use codes like https to send information, but they hide nothing about the user.
Security and anonymity are both important points. I think it is interesting to see how security and anonymity are balanced with disclosure and consent.
What are you talking about? This doesn't even begin to address what I said.
Say something intelligent that addresses what I wrote or shut up. Don't just babble something inane.
On one hand, decentralization is about security and anonymity as you said. On the other hand, because tokens are listed on exchanges and may be considered "securities", laws and regulations are beginning to require certain disclosures.
Consent is important because folks have been placing other parties as advisors and teams without their consent.
My personal view is that it is important to balance anonymity and security with disclosure and consent.
your post is very beautiful
Thank you!!! :)
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