Alright, enough about promoting equality through art and education. Let’s discuss our Jackson Sharkz NFT giveaway. I felt the energy, I felt the excitement, I felt the enthusiasm – 10,000 people signed in within the first three days, 2,000+ comments! That's impressive. But hold on a moment there, tiger. All that glitters ain’t gold, especially within the Web3 space. This supposedly equitable giveaway? It’s missing some crucial marks.

Who Really Gets the Sharkz?

Web3, NFTs – that’s what this is all about – democratizing access, not creating gated communities. Giving power back to the people. But how democratic can it be when all the same barriers to entry still stand tall and proud? To take part in the Jackson Sharkz giveaway, you must have a Sui wallet already set up. Sounds simple enough, but think about it. Most citizens, especially those in underrepresented communities, are still confused about what blockchain really is. On top of that, they usually don’t know the first thing about installing a Sui wallet. The digital divide we’re addressing is no different, often reinforcing the very real-world inequities we see today.

I mean, it’s a little disingenuous to say, “Well, the party’s open to everybody! To access you need an invitation code. This invitation is so written in code that it almost takes a computer science degree to translate it. Sure, in theory, everybody’s welcome to come—but we all know it’s another story entirely. And don’t even get me started on the requirement for reliable internet access – a luxury, not a requirement, for millions.

"Drop Down Your 'J'" – Seriously?

Then of course there’s Drop Down Your ‘J’. I’m definitely in favor of creative marketing, but this one seems excessive. What exactly does it mean? Is it inclusive? Does it just by chance leave out the people who don’t get the pop culture reference? Even worse, might it be perceived as culturally insensitive? Now don’t get me wrong—I don’t think this was done with malice. The ambiguity and potential for misapplication sets off an alarm bell in my mind. Words matter, especially when you’re trying to build community.

Equity or Just Echo Chamber?

Jackson.io is promising a more transparent and equitable ecosystem to go along with their data-driven jukebox. Okay, prove it. How many of these Sharkz NFTs are actually getting into the hands of newbies? Are they truly reaching everyone that’s not already deep in the Web3 space? Are they making sure to reach communities that have been systematically cut out of the financial system? Or are they merely swapping around in the same free-market echo chamber with other crypto enthusiasts and early adopters?

I suspect it's the latter. The reality is that almost all NFT giveaways reward those most invested in the space already. They have the ears, the wallets, the knowledge and the network to ensure they do win, and they profit from it as best as they can. In the process, those who stand to gain the most by taking advantage of these opportunities are kept out, deepening our widening wealth gap.

Web3's Broken Promise?

Web3 promised a revolution. It held the historic promise to decentralize both networking and power, and make the internet a more meritocratic playing field. We need to be careful, though. If we aren’t thoughtful about this transition, we will recreate the same disparities of the previous system in this new, digital environment. Giveaways of this nature do an incredible job at building that enthusiasm and interest. If they don’t have real equity in their design, they can actually make things worse.

We need to do better. If it isn’t, we need to be very concerned with the barriers to entry and ensuring that we are actively trying to dismantle them. This means:

  • Education: Providing accessible resources and training to help people understand blockchain technology and Web3 concepts.
  • Accessibility: Subsidizing access to necessary technology and internet access for marginalized communities.
  • Inclusion: Ensuring diverse representation in the development and promotion of NFT projects.
  • Transparency: Being upfront about the distribution of NFTs and the demographics of participants.

This isn't just about being "woke." It’s very much in line with the thinking of how do we build an inclusive Web3 ecosystem that truly embodies the promise of decentralization and empowerment. Otherwise, we're just creating a new form of digital feudalism, where the rich get richer and the poor get left behind.

The Jackson Sharkz NFT giveaway in particular isn’t bad per se but rather represents a microcosm of the overall problem. Let’s stop with the performative stuff. To realize true equity in the Web3 space, we need to address the systemic inequities that prevent it. Let’s not allow the promise of Web3 to fade into the annals of broken dreams. Let's make it a reality for everyone.