Jesse Pollack, VP of engineering at Coinbase and creator of Base, discusses the transformative potential of blockchain in the creator economy. He highlights how this technology can empower creators to regain ownership of their content and set their own revenue models, challenging traditional publishers. Pollack explores the historical context of copyright and its monopolistic implications, while also examining innovative on-chain platforms that deepen creator-fan relationships and foster community-driven content. It's a deep dive into reshaping how creators interact with their audiences.
Blockchain technology allows creators to gain ownership and control over their content, disrupting the traditional monetization models imposed by platforms.
Successful on-chain applications demonstrate the potential for fostering community engagement and direct relationships between creators and their audiences.
Deep dives
The Power Dynamics of Content Creation
Content creators often find themselves at the mercy of dominant social media platforms that control distribution and monetization of their work. A typical scenario involves a creator posting a viral video, only to see the platform reaping most of the financial benefits and dictating the terms of engagement. This imbalance points to a longstanding issue where creators lack control over their intellectual property and earnings. The discussion raises the question of whether technology can shift this landscape, allowing creators to establish direct relationships with their audience and retain greater ownership of their content.
Blockchain as a Solution
Blockchain technology is presented as a potential tool for transforming the creator economy by enabling creators to maintain ownership and control over their digital content. By utilizing an on-chain model, creators can avoid oppressive algorithms and opaque payment systems currently prevalent on social media platforms. This new infrastructure would not only empower creators to manage their own monetization strategies but also foster clearer communication and relationships with their supporters. With all interactions tracked on the blockchain, creators could tailor experiences for their fans, significantly enhancing engagement and loyalty.
Real-World Applications and Community Building
Examples of successful on-chain applications showcase how this technology can foster a sense of community and enable creators to monetize their work effectively. Doodles, a digital entertainment platform, illustrates this by incorporating user avatars into their content, allowing fans to participate actively in the narratives being created. Similarly, an on-chain app called Blackbird helps restaurants establish meaningful relationships with diners by tracking customer interactions and preferences. These innovations indicate a shift toward a more integrated and engaging digital economy, where creators can benefit economically and relationally from their fans and customers.
For centuries, creators have given up a big share of their earnings for a chance to reach audiences. In 18th century England, authors’ desires to break free of censorship and exercise the power of the written word led to the growth of modern copyright law, a key pillar of the creator economy. But to this day, publishers and distributors of content have enormous power over how creators make money and grow with their audiences.
What if that didn’t have to be the case? What if, by “going onchain” through blockchain-based apps and platforms, creators could gain complete ownership over their content and create new revenue models, where they (not publishers or platforms) could set the terms?
We’ll examine what it means to create, consume, and connect onchain — and find out how this next evolution of the online world could rebuild the creator economy as we know it.
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