166 - Leaving Web2 with Sriram Krishnan

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Apr 10, 2023

Sriram Krishnan, a GP at a16z Crypto and former Product Lead at major tech companies, shares his journey from Web2 to Web3. He discusses the flaws plaguing platforms like Twitter and Facebook and argues for a transparent, decentralized internet to empower future generations. Sriram explores the intersection of AI and crypto, the importance of user ownership in social media, and how Web3 can restore opportunities for creators. His insights on the evolution of digital landscapes highlight the need for significant investment in new technologies.

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ANECDOTE

Sriram's Web1 Experience

Sriram Krishnan's career, marriage, and move to the US were all thanks to the open internet.
He worries that today's internet, dominated by centralized platforms, limits opportunities for the next generation.

INSIGHT

Permissionless Internet vs. API Keys

The permissionless internet of the past fostered innovation and opportunity, unlike today's restricted internet.
API keys symbolize the shift towards permissioned access, limiting open development and user control.

ANECDOTE

Twitter's Memetic Power

A minor bug in Twitter's trending algorithm, combined with editorial decisions, amplified an obscure tweet.
This amplification led to mainstream media coverage, demonstrating Twitter's power to shape narratives.

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Sriram Krishnan is a GP at a16z Crypto and a defector from Web2 to Web3. Formerly a Product Lead at Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat, Sriram has seen basically everything there is to see in the world of Web2, and especially Web2 social. He also hosts a podcast with his wife covering tech and internet creators, so he knows a thing or two about the world of creators, internet social platforms, and crypto.

------ ✨ DEBRIEF | Unpacking the episode: https://www.bankless.com/debrief-sriram-krishnan ------ What’s broken about Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook? And how can it be fixed? Can it be fixed? Sriram has many profound ideas.

Growing up in a small town in India with little opportunity, Sriram used the internet to change the course of his life. Now he worries that these same opportunities won’t be available for the next generation. He believes Web3 is the only way to keep the internet full of opportunity for the next generations.

In today’s episode, we cover why Sriram defected from Web2 to Web3, why Twitter can topple world governments but can’t sell ads effectively, why every social media network has to start with status, how crypto and AI intersect, and much more.

------ Topics Covered

0:00 Intro 7:14 Eliezer Yudkowsky 8:19 Sriram’s Thoughts on A.I. 11:35 Sriram’s Background & North Star 16:10 The Early Internet Explained 19:54 The Permissionless of the Internet Today 22:18 What Are API Keys? 25:55 Towers vs. Townsquares 28:24 TikTok Hearings & Web2 Solutions 36:13 Twitter 43:25 New Age of Twitter 49:29 Web3 Social Tour 1:02:46 Overcoming Web2 Network Effects 1:20:20 How to Crypto-Pill Elon 1:22:38 Web2 Pausing Web3 Adoption 1:26:32 Future of Creators 1:30:25 Web3 & Creators 1:35:06 Crypto & AI 1:40:33 Sriram’s Closing Arguments 1:42:22 Closing & Disclaimers

------ Resources:

Sriram & His Wife’s Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@AarthiAndSriram/videos https://www.aarthiandsriram.com/

Sriram’s Twitter https://twitter.com/sriramk

Eugene Wei’s Status-as-a-Service https://www.eugenewei.com/blog/2019/2/19/status-as-a-service

----- Not financial or tax advice. This channel is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. This video is not tax advice. Talk to your accountant. Do your own research.

Disclosure. From time-to-time I may add links in this newsletter to products I use. I may receive commission if you make a purchase through one of these links. Additionally, the Bankless writers hold crypto assets. See our investment disclosures here: https://www.bankless.com/disclosures