Frank DeGods is out. 0x_chill and Pastagotsauce are in. Sales are up. To be frank, who gives a hoot about the inner workings of yet another NFT project. Unless this season of change in leadership is indicative of something much more. Something that could finally unlock the potential of Web3 for a region brimming with talent: Southeast Asia.
Think about it. We’ve been sold a bill of goods about a decentralized, democratized internet for going on three decades now. The faces, the voices, the art that fills the NFT space tends to be more homogenous. Western-centric. Where, we wonder, are the Southeast Asian voices in this so-called global revolution?
Web3's Overlooked Creative Powerhouse
Southeast Asia, the world’s largest creative economy, is a sleeping giant of creative talent. From the bustling art scenes of Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City to the intricate craftsmanship of Balinese artisans, the region is a hotbed of innovation and artistic expression. This non-Western vibrancy is too often ignored in the Web3 space, drowned out by the noise of Western narratives and Web3 projects.
Access.Resources.Representation.For Southeast Asian artists and developers, these barriers to entry are usually much, much higher than their Western counterparts.Access to capital, networks, and mentorship opportunities are essential in helping talent flourish. Without them, even the brightest talent can fade away.
This is not simply an issue of fairness. It’s one of opportunity. Join us as we uplift their work and continue to center Southeast Asian artists in this new Web3 world. Taking such measures might just spark a creativity explosion! Imagine the priorities shaped by these distinctive cultural horizons, the innovative artistic mediums that will demand the space, the radical concepts that will change everything.
New Leadership, New Possibilities Arise?
In true Web3 fashion, Pastagotsauce suggested a new strategy, one that prioritized measuring the value of DeGods’ nether reach and impact on the ecosystem. Okay, sounds like typical corporate jargon. What if maximizing reach actually means seeking out and directly engaging with those underserved communities? Now picture truly empowering Southeast Asians as a result of these efforts!
This is where Nandar Lwin’s unique background comes in. Her dedication to grassroots organizing, her mission to center Southeast Asian creatives – that’s the magic her real potential comes from. This moment isn’t just special for DeGods. It’s an opportunity to advocate for a more diverse, equitable and inclusive Web3 ecosystem.
As a piece of NFT cultural history, this sales surge on both Solana and Ethereum is most definitely remarkable. The truth isn’t found in short-term profits—it’s in long-term influence. This new leadership has an enormous opportunity to be true champions of diversity and inclusion. One is for them to intentionally look for and uplift Southeast Asian creators and developers.
Frank's Exit, Asia's Entrance?
Frank DeGods' departure, regardless of the reasons behind it, he denies any wrongdoing, and we'll take him at his word, creates a vacuum. One that’s wide open and is just begging to be filled with fresh perspectives, new ideas, and a renewed commitment to making sure our spaces are inclusive.
Think of it like this: it's not enough to simply build a decentralized platform. You cannot take for granted a diverse and inclusive community. Beyond some token sage wisdom, you actually need to provide spaces for marginalized voices to be heard, for underrepresented artists to flourish.
What if DeGods, with new leadership, were to really collaborate with Southeast Asian art collectives? What if they open mentorship streams targeted at helping Southeast Asian developers build their strength? What if they start to curate NFT exhibitions that highlight the amazing talent from the area?
These concepts are more than wishful thinking. Yet they are positive, concrete steps that any entity can take today to help collectively build a more equitable, vibrant, and successful Web3 ecosystem. It’s good business. Investing in and plugging the tremendous creative talent of Southeast Asia is an astute play. As a whole, it has the potential to spur innovation and growth for the entire industry.
We've seen this happen before. Remember the rise of K-Pop? The catchy songs and highly-polished choreography though were only half of the strategy. The result was a very intentional strategy to go global while being uniquely Korean at the same time. Web3 has so much to learn from that playbook.
In the end, DeGods’ new journey will only find success if they’re consistently walking the walk. Talk is cheap. We need to see tangible investments in Southeast Asian talent, concrete initiatives to level the playing field, and a genuine willingness to listen to and amplify the voices of the region.
This isn't just about DeGods. It's about the future of Web3. Are we actually building the open, decentralized, democratized web that everybody claims to want? Or worse, are we simply replicating the same oppressive power dynamics in the digital realm? The world is watching. Southeast Asia is waiting. Will Web3 finally deliver on its promise? I really hope so.
