The Grandma's (or CMO's) Guide to Web3

I recently had the pleasure of hosting Alejandro Arango Giraldo AKA K41r0n, who delivered our 9th Alpha (Beta) Talk as part of The Alpha Collective 's Preview Talk Series.

His talk and our conversation was technical at times and so I created this slightly more "normie-friendly" version, specifically for seasoned business and marketing executives who are new to the Web3 world.

Ground rules

1. On Talking to Big Brands: Picture explaining a fancy remote control to someone who just got their first TV. That's kind of the situation we're in...
2. Lunch Choices for Kids: Imagine your kindergarteners getting to choose their lunch every day and finding out what kids worldwide prefer. That's kind of what this new tech thingy, the blockchain, can do.
3. Fair Play for Everyone: Think of a game where everyone gets a fair chance to win, no cheats. That's what we want to do with information on the blockchain.
4. Bad Guys Holding Secrets: Some people are keeping secrets that could help some and not others, and that's not nice. We talked about how to stop that.
5. Numbers Can be Tricky: Sometimes, even honest numbers can be made to look dishonest. We must be careful.

The Shopping Mall Analogy:

Think of the Internet today as a big shopping mall where stores know everything about you, like what you've bought before, where you live, and even your favorite color. They use this information to sell you more things. Now, imagine a new mall (Web3) where you control all that information and can decide who gets to know what about you. If a store wants to know something, they have to ask you nicely or even pay you for it!

It's like turning the tables; now, you're the boss, and the big companies have to play by your rules. Some people are working on making this happen, and it's pretty exciting. But some of the big companies are a little scared because they've never had to ask for your information before, and they're not sure how to do it.

So, the next time you hear about something called "crypto" or "Web3," just think about a new mall where you're in charge, and the stores have to be nice to you if they want to know anything about you.

1. You're the Keeper of the Shop Now: In this new mall (Web3), you're in charge of your information. No more conglomerate stores snooping around; they have to ask nicely or even pay you for your personal details. You're part owner of the shop now, and you set the rules.
2. New Mall, New Rules: Forget the old mall where stores knew everything. Welcome to Web3, where privacy is king, and you get to decide who knows what about you. You're the boss, and the big companies must play by your game.
3. When in Doubt, be Nice!: While the idea of a new mall where you're in charge is thrilling, it's making some of the big companies a bit nervous. They've never had to ask before, and now they must learn how to be polite. It's a big change, but a good one.
4. Crypto Means Power to You: If you hear words like "crypto" or "Web3," just think of them as keys to your new shop in the mall. They're tools that let you take control and make the big companies listen to you. It's not as scary as it sounds; it's just a new way of shopping.
5. A Fairer Shopping Experience: In this new mall, everyone gets a fair chance. It's not just about the big companies getting richer (Mathews Effect); it's about giving you the power to decide, negotiate, and even earn from your information. It's like a friendlier, more honest way to shop.
6. A Dream in the Making: People are working hard to turn this dream mall into reality. It might take some time, but the idea is pretty exciting. Imagine a place where you're respected, valued, and in control. That's what Web3 is all about.

So, next time you shop online, just remember that there's a new mall being built where you're the boss. It's all about respect, fairness, and putting the power back in your hands. And who knows, you might even get a few bucks for sharing what your favorite color is! It's a brave new world, and you're invited.

Web3's Captcha Moment

K41r0n's talk was titled, "Finding Crypto's Captcha Moment." You can watch it here and here's your non-techie cipher.

Imagine you're doing one of those picture puzzles where you click on all the fire hydrants. It's like a quick game, right? Well, what K41r0n showed us is that these little games are more than meets the eye!

He told us that just like those puzzles help computers learn, we can use these everyday actions to teach computers about more important things! Not just about money, but about who we are and what we like.

He thinks we can use the things we share, like, and comment on social media to build a public "book" of information. This way, no one can cheat or hide things, and we can make the world a better place, together.

Now, just think about the endless possibilities! All we need is a sprinkle of creativity, a dash of curiosity and a healthy amount of courage, constitution and good faith.

In fact, I coined the term "reverse captcha moment," highlighting a future where consumers may demand brands prove their worth before sharing personal information. From "prove you're a human" to "prove your motives are pure." This is a total paradigm shift where consumers are no longer "sitting ducks" in the data economy. Instead, they're becoming gatekeepers of their information, potentially monetizing their own data and setting terms for how brands can access it.

For anyone looking to explore the exciting world of Web3, you can always connect with like-minded folks at Alpha Collective's Discord server at?discord.gg/alphacollective?and subscribe to the podcast version of the Collective Cafe at?bit.ly/collectivecafetogo?or join us live Monday - Friday, 8-9am EST in Discord and on Clubhouse, because the future is here, and we're building it together! ???

Whether you're the CMO of?Procter & Gamble?or Grandma's knitting club, there's something valuable and accessible in this conversation for everyone. Come explore these fascinating subjects with me by joining the Alpha Collective at?discord.gg/alphacollective. See you there! Now, who wants a carrot? ??