NET Society

The Net Society crew returns, missing Derek this week, for a fiery post-mortem on content coins, Base, and the design failures showing up all over the crypto timeline. They break down why the latest wave of token launches feels more like narrative recycling than real innovation, and explore the growing exhaustion across the ecosystem. From there, the conversation shifts to consumer crypto, where brunch apps, stablecoins, and stealth NFTs suggest a quieter future ahead. Drawing comparisons to the decline of file sharing, they ask whether the degens are truly disappearing or just changing shape. They bring in Carlotta Perez’s theory of turning points to place crypto within a broader move from chaos toward maturity. The second half zooms out to a larger story of algorithmic governance, platform fatigue, and the growing challenge of living under systems we can no longer fully control. The episode closes with a speculative look at rogue AGI, quantum multiverses, and whether some systems have already grown too complex to manage.Mentioned in the episodeTechno Utopia at sea https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/15/magazine/seasteading-libertarian-ocean-living.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShareShow & HostsNet Society: https://x.com/net__societyDerek Edwards: https://x.com/derekedwsChris F: https://x.com/ChrisF_0xPriyanka Desai: https://x.com/pridesaiAaron Wright: https://x.com/awrigh01Production & MarketingEditor: https://x.com/0xFnklSocial: https://x.com/v_kirra

The discussion kicks off with an introspective look at Bitcoin's identity crisis as digital gold. The fallout from meme coins leads to a decline in developer activity, raising questions about the future of innovation in crypto. AI's emerging role in shaping blockchain's next phase is scrutinized, alongside a nostalgic nod to fintech's evolution. Remix culture takes the spotlight, with playful references to squiggle Legos and 3D printing. The conversation wraps up with reflections on history, user-generated content, and the pressing question: can we keep meaning amid soaring productivity?

Dive into the world of tokens, where crypto meets AI and influences new platforms. Discover how 'token thirst traps' are reshaping content creation, pushing legacy media like HBO to evolve with audience demands. Explore whether token volume is the new measure of success and how community engagement redefines ownership. The discussion delves into the evolving work landscape and the implications of AI, questioning the future of traditional credentials. It's a captivating look at innovation and the future of creativity in a digital age.

The discussion kicks off with the viral Studio Ghibli-style AI image generation, illuminating how trends quickly spread across social media. The crew debates NFTs as a way to preserve cultural narratives amid creative chaos and the implications of AI on beloved intellectual properties. They dive into meme fashion and innovative marketing methods, examining how brands are leveraging pop culture moments. Localized manufacturing trends are explored, alongside the future of cooking and the impact of automation on culinary experiences.

The Net Society crew is back together and deep in the trenches as Aaron shares a three-hour descent into NFT Twitter Spaces, setting the stage for a wide-ranging conversation. They kick things off with a heated debate around Beeple and pop art criticism, unpacking what makes certain artists lightning rods in digital culture. From there, they explore signs of life in the NFT market, touching on PFP comebacks, new drops, and the return of curiosity across collector circles. The crew then zooms out to look at the broader vibe shift in crypto, including post-regulatory thaw, meme coin nihilism, and the internet’s habit of forgetting. They revisit the royalty debate and explore how sustainable models might return, before diving into Pudgy Penguins’ ETF and what bridging TradFi with NFTs could look like. The episode wraps with a lively back-and-forth on robots, asking whether we really want humanoids in our homes or just cute little machines doing our chores.Mentioned in the episodeGood Vibes pfp https://opensea.io/collection/good-vibes-clubInfinite Garden by Leander Herzog https://www.infinite-garden.xyz/ArtXCode Virga by William Watkins https://www.artxcode.io/collections/virgaShow & HostsNet Society: https://x.com/net__societyDerek Edwards: https://x.com/derekedwsChris F: https://x.com/ChrisF_0xPriyanka Desai: https://x.com/pridesaiAaron Wright: https://x.com/awrigh01Production & MarketingEditor: https://x.com/0xFnklSocial: https://x.com/v_kirra(00:00) - NFT Trenches & Beeple Discourse (06:56) - NFT Market Vibes (12:58) - Introduction (13:23) - Comebacks & Community Energy (18:19) - Regulation, Meme Coins & Memory (24:58) - Royalties & Market Mechanics (25:24) - Pudgy ETF & TradFi Bridges (30:48) - AI Tools, Metaverse & Robots

The Net Society crew (minus Derek) is joined by special guest Gmoney, founder of 9dcc and longtime crypto native, for a conversation that jumps between memes, AI, and the future of digital culture. They kick things off with the JD Vance meme phenomenon, discussing how AI-generated content is entering the mainstream and whether this marks a turning point in public perception. From there, they shift to the Sphere in Vegas, debating its longevity and the increasing presence of digital art in physical spaces. The conversation then turns to AI’s growing role in creativity as they explore the tension between automation and human-driven experiences. Will the future be hyper-automated or hyper-handmade? Gmoney shares his thoughts on consumer culture and experiential retail, discussing how brands are shifting toward community-driven spaces. The crew also unpacks the current state of crypto markets, grappling with the disconnect between bullish policy moves and bearish sentiment. They wrap up with a look at localized manufacturing and hyper-customization, imagining a future where personal style and production are fully on-demand.Mentioned in the episodeSpecial guest Gmoney joins this week: https://x.com/gmoneyNFTSBF prison interview https://nypost.com/2025/03/08/us-news/sam-bankman-fried-gets-solitary-after-unauthorized-jailhouse-interview-report/JD Vance memeshttps://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/surprising-reason-wild-jd-vance-213128188.htmlAI Poetry Survey https://x.com/colin_fraser/status/1861324416375722257Tech in Texas https://x.com/MrGoldBro/status/1856109587251761204Chris AI music/video https://x.com/ChrisF_0x/status/1900307097801175226Show & HostsNet Society: https://x.com/net__societyDerek Edwards: https://x.com/derekedwsChris F: https://x.com/ChrisF_0xPriyanka Desai: https://x.com/pridesaiAaron Wright: https://x.com/awrigh01Production & MarketingEditor: https://x.com/0xFnklSocial: https://x.com/v_kirra(00:00) - The JD Vance Meme and AI’s Role in Culture (05:53) - Introduction (06:24) - The Sphere, Digital Art, and The Knicks (11:11) - The Future of AI, Creativity, and Work (18:41) - The Evolution of Content Creation (26:16) - Crypto, Markets, and Macro Trends (34:41) - The Future of Manufacturing and Hyper-Customization

The Net Society crew (minus Derek) is joined by artist 113 for a deep dive into the evolving intersection of art, crypto, and programmable cryptography. They kick things off with a discussion on Ethereum’s cultural role and whether its future is more about financial infrastructure or artistic settlement. The conversation then turns to NFTs, unpacking their identity crisis as they question whether they are truly art or just a cleverly packaged product. They explore crypto’s ongoing quest for legitimacy, debating the tension between institutional validation and groundbreaking innovation. 113 sheds light on the untapped potential of programmable cryptography, introducing new possibilities for digital expression and anonymous collaboration. The crew also touches on crypto’s frontier status, comparing it to past technological shifts and examining the battle between state control and digital sovereignty. They wrap up with reflections on where crypto culture is headed and how artists and builders can shape its next chapter.Mentioned in the episodeEthereum Org Tweet https://x.com/ethereum/status/1898077135916437718Alan Kay - How to invent the future https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e8VZlPBx_0Xerox PARC https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PARC_(company)0xPARC https://x.com/0xparc?lang=enConway’s Game of Life https://playgameoflife.com/Numerai https://x.com/numeraiDoomscroll 15: Quinn Slobodian pod https://open.spotify.com/episode/0xL9GlO8rF14UAqirNvNyN?si=OeqeKwO8T3ujYOsWcGaXqgShow & HostsNet Society: https://x.com/net__societyDerek Edwards: https://x.com/derekedwsChris F: https://x.com/ChrisF_0xPriyanka Desai: https://x.com/pridesaiAaron Wright: https://x.com/awrigh01113: https://x.com/0x113dProduction & MarketingEditor: https://x.com/0xFnklSocial: https://x.com/v_kirra(00:00) - The Habsburgs and the Future of Ethereum (01:33) - The Art of Crypto: NFTs, Collecting, and Cultural Value (08:45) - The NFT Identity Crisis: Art vs. Product (14:16) - Introduction (17:00) - Crypto's Search for Legitimacy: Institutions vs. Innovation (49:22) - Programmable Cryptography and the Future of Digital Expression (01:07:17) - Anonymous Flirting: A Playful Vision for the Networked Future (01:22:54) - Crypto as the Digital Frontier: Power, Control, and the Future Economy

The Net Society crew (minus Derek) dives into the evolving world of on-chain art, using Botto as a case study for how AI and decentralization are reshaping creativity. They break down the biggest takeaways from ETH Denver, from groundbreaking Web3 innovations to the shifting dynamics of the ecosystem. The conversation then turns to NFT loans, debating whether leveraging digital collectibles as collateral is the next step in crypto finance or a dangerous gamble. Security concerns take center stage with the Bybit hack, as they analyze its fallout and what it reveals about the broader landscape of exchange vulnerabilities. AI’s rapid development sparks a discussion on whether artificial intelligence is beginning to exhibit personality—and what that could mean for human interaction and trust. Finally, they wrap up with a market sentiment check, assessing crypto’s current trajectory and the forces shaping its next move.Mentioned in the episodeBotto auction for “The Giraffe” https://x.com/krybharat/status/1895190523172004253Sgt_slaughtermelon https://x.com/sgt_sl8termelonBerachain https://x.com/berachainBybit hack https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/23/crypto-exchange-seeks-bybit-ethereum-stolen-digital-walletShow & HostsNet Society: https://x.com/net__societyDerek Edwards: https://x.com/derekedwsChris F: https://x.com/ChrisF_0xPriyanka Desai: https://x.com/pridesaiAaron Wright: https://x.com/awrigh01Production & MarketingEditor: https://x.com/0xFnklSocial: https://x.com/v_kirra(00:00) - The Future of On-Chain Art with Botto (05:14) - ETH Denver: Key Takeaways & Trends (19:40) - NFT Loans: Digital Collectibles as Collateral (24:22) - Bybit Hack: What Happened & Why It Matters (30:35) - AI with Personality? The Next Evolution (35:59) - Introduction (36:41) - Market Sentiment: Where Crypto Stands Today

The crew kicks off by dissecting the U.S. vs. Canada hockey showdown, exploring sports as a mirror of culture and national identity. They dive into the ethics and regulation of crypto, questioning if meme coin scandals and SEC shifts signal real reform or just more noise. The conversation turns to Christie’s "Augmented Intelligence" auction, examining AI art’s rising legitimacy and Sam Spratt’s "Masquerade" success as artists reshape digital art. They debate Botto’s generative art project, asking whether collective creation is transforming collector culture or diluting artistic quality. Finally, they explore the rapid acceleration of tech innovation, discussing quantum computing breakthroughs, AI-driven healthcare, and whether the venture capital landscape is evolving to fuel these transformative shifts. Plus, the tension between innovation and tradition in both art and finance, and what this means for the future.Mentioned in the episodeCanada vs USA Hockey https://x.com/NHL/status/1892793095667716601Christies Auction https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/augmented-intelligence/lots/3837Kanbas acquires X.Masquerade https://x.com/Kanbas_/status/1889709922197049650Botto sells out 1st generative project https://x.com/BottoDAO/status/1891938816031629424Rare genetic disorder treated in the womb https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00534-0Show & HostsNet Society: https://x.com/net__societyDerek Edwards: https://x.com/derekedwsChris F: https://x.com/ChrisF_0xPriyanka Desai: https://x.com/pridesaiAaron Wright: https://x.com/awrigh01Production & MarketingEditor: https://x.com/0xFnklSocial: https://x.com/v_kirra(00:00) - USA & Canada Hockey (06:55) - Ethics and Regulation of Crypto (20:14) - Introduction (20:35) - Ethics and Regulation of Crypto continued (23:00) - Christie’s Augmented Intelligence Auction (27:25) - Sam Spratt’s Masquarade (30:09) - Botto, Gen Art, and Collector Culture (45:25) - Accelerated Tech Innovation (55:34) - Future of VC and Funding Models

The crew kicks off with the sale of Meebits, breaking down its acquisition and whether it can become a major digital IP. They dive into the resurgence of social tokens, questioning if influencer-backed assets and meme coins are a real evolution or just another hype cycle. The conversation shifts to Ethereum’s identity crisis—is it still a compute layer, or is it becoming a monetary asset like Bitcoin? They explore staking, L2 token dynamics, and whether Ethereum’s future is dictated by market forces. Finally, they tackle the rise of AI-powered solo founders, discussing how billion-dollar projects are emerging from small teams and what that means for crypto’s traditionally network-driven ecosystem. Plus, the shifting role of marketing, Web2’s struggles, and the ideological tensions shaping the space.Mentioned in the episodeMeebits is acquired by the MeebCo https://x.com/sergitosergito/status/1890437464675791296Vitalik sparks conversation on communism https://x.com/VitalikButerin/status/1889771554512200166Cursor AI https://x.com/cursor_aiSuno AI music maker https://x.com/SunoMusicFollowNet Society: https://x.com/net__societyDerek Edwards: https://x.com/derekedwsChris F: https://x.com/ChrisF_0xPriyanka Desai: https://x.com/pridesaiAaron Wright: https://x.com/awrigh01(00:00) - The Sale of Meebits (08:14) - Are Social Tokens Making a Comeback? (12:51) - Introduction (13:28) - Ethereum’s Evolution: Money or Compute? (26:07) - The Return of Social Tokens (34:55) - AI vs. Crypto: Individualism vs. Collaboration