PREMISE
My journey toward NFTs happens to be complex and long; I do not believe I can reconstruct everything. It will testify to my experiences in the NFT space. I’ll also explain my first experiences in the community. To begin with, I can remember being impressed by so many artists ‘abilities. Second, I recall participating in numerous lively discussions. Third, I liked checking out the different projects. However I know also about the negatives of the community. Regardless of this I carried on to take part.
JOURNEY TOWARDS NFT
I heard about blockchain technology from my husband, a cybersecurity expert. Though he was among the very first people to hear about this brand-new breakthrough technology and tell me about it, initially I was simply curious about blockchain but never got into it for real. I chose to observe and learn from a distance how it may influence society and technology. I read of Satoshi Nakamoto and bitcoin in 2009.
During the winter of 2020, I started researching blockchain applications and its usage across industries.
Then something happened: I was invited to enroll in Clubhouse, a social media craze going around the world. I came closer to NFTs via Clubhouse. It was a good coincidence that opened up more contacts and possibilities for me and I’m grateful for that.
THE FIRST DAYS IN CLUBHOUSE
ENTHUSIASM AND INTEREST FOR SOMETHING NEW
When I was invited to Clubhouse, I was intrigued but hesitant as well. I’d read about this brand-new audio-based social media platform but not what to expect. I hadn’t been on a completely audio-based social media platform before and wondered exactly how I would handle that.
But I gave Clubhouse a shot despite my hesitations. I was excited to connect with people in different and new ways and fascinated by this platform.
THE FIRST EXPERIENCE ON CLUBHOUSE
I entered Clubhouse for the very very first time and was struck by the novelty of it. It was incredible how you could connect with people through voice and I felt like I was part of this brand-new social media frontier. Also, although I was nervous about participating in conversations, I started interacting with other users.
I did not understand how to make use of the platform and was scared to say something wrong or humiliate myself in front of people. But as I continued using Clubhouse, I got more comfortable. Similarly, I felt more at ease participating in the conversations which took place.
DISCOVERING THE PHOTOGRAPHY ROOMS
At first, I was drawn to the photography rooms. Additionally, as a food photographer, I wanted to meet people in my field. I was sharing my thoughts and experiences. So, I joined a group of Italian rooms devoted to food photography.
There I met some other photographers and food stylists from Italy. We sat down to tell our stories and discuss opportunities and challenges in our work. Finally, through Clubhouse I met people who share my passion and my work.
These rooms contained a community of photographers who had been extremely supportive and collaborative. Everybody wanted to help one another and grow and succeed. We shared tricks and tips for more effective photographs and talked about the newest trends in food photography. We also discussed how to more effectively market our work to prospective customers.
EXPLORING OTHER ROOMS
Once I got used to Clubhouse I started to explore other rooms as well. Then I discovered there were rooms for a variety of photography from landscape and street photography to portrait photography.
Within these rooms, I met other artists and photographers who shared my passion. We all photographed the beauty and complexity of the world around us. We talked about technology, the most recent cameras and also the role of photography in art and culture.
Through my participation in these rooms, I gained new perspectives and insights. Although I’ve now nearly abandoned Clubhouse, I will never forget the friendships I created in those first rooms.
MEETING ADMIRED PEOPLE
What I liked most about Clubhouse was meeting people I admired for some time. These were people I’d read about in books or even seen on tv and never got to meet up with in person.
Through Clubhouse, I was able to go into the rooms where these individuals talked and even take part directly in conversations with them. It was an exciting experience! I was glad to be able to articulate my ideas and thoughts to individuals I’ve always admired. At first I was struggling to talk to these folks and maintain a conversation.
GRATITUDE FOR THE EXPERIENCE ON CLUBHOUSE
As I continued to participate in these rooms, I gained confidence. I realized these were people just like me with insecurities and fears. Additionally, they wanted to hear from me and hear about my experiences. I will never forget the excitement and gratitude I felt. I might never see or hear some of these folks again. But I will not forget the memories they provided me in our conversations on Clubhouse.
THE FIRST APPROACH TO NFTS
I knew practically nothing about NFTs or their usage at that time. Still, I was intrigued by the notion of a new digital medium that might fundamentally alter our opinions on property and art. From this, I started doing Google searches to find out more.
As I read everything I could find relating to this new technology and the artists and collectors who are adopting it, I heard some talk about it on Clubhouse. The NFT space was in its infancy and many people had been just beginning to comprehend the potential.
ENCOUNTERING NFTS.TIPS
During this time I met a group of pioneers called NFTS.TIPS2, founded on February 6, 2021, by Alexander Mazzei3 along with Eric Spivak4, Ely Beckman “Glassy”5 and a few others who wanted to share their knowledge and passion with the world.
Amazingly kind and patient, Alexander made me feel comfortable in the group. I learned so much thanks to him and his tireless effort to educate people on NFTs. His enthusiasm was infectious and I was extremely inspired by the power and commitment of the group members.
THE NFTS.TIPS COMMUNITY
Various other members of the group contributed further to the development of the NFT space. These pioneers helped to spread the word about NFTs and their applications. Other big names in the Clubhouse space were also present but not all were members of NFTS.TIPS.
Among those who helped me was Olayinka Odeniran6, who told me how to get into the rooms and what to do because I was shy and embarrassed to talk. She was there before me and she’d given me all the details.
EXPERIENCES AND CONNECTIONS
I remember being really nervous because everything was very new and weird to me. But the other members of the room embraced me. I shared my experiences and their stories. I especially remember Jimena Buena Vida7, who told me to prepare my lesson in advance. She was not also a native English speaker and faced the same problems. I found the community to be so supportive and collaborative. Everybody wanted to help one another succeed.
I found a whole brand new world of opportunity via Clubhouse rooms and other online communities. This commitment enabled me to create my first NFTs. At the same time, I experimented with new ways to display and sell my work to collectors worldwide.
LOSS OF CONTACT WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS
But while I was grateful for everything I learned, I learned a fact. A few of the great people I met at the start I’d lost touch with. I feel guilty for not being much more active in space and for not keeping these essential relationships. I had several chances to meet them once again but not as strongly as I did at first.
I am really sad about this fact right now. I want to reconnect with everybody I met during my trip and then lost sight of because I was too overwhelmed. I know right now how precious those connections have been and I do not want to lose them forever.
NFTS.TIPS, THE FIRST NFT COMMUNITY ON CLUBHOUSE
The very first NFT community on Clubhouse had been NFTS.TIPS. Its founders recognized the need for resources and education in this new field. Therefore, they started building a full platform to satisfy this need.
To do this, they produced a weekly newsletter which selected the latest news and advice on the topic. They conducted interviews with NFT specialists and creators. They also launched a blog with articles and guides on crypto topics in addition to a directory of platforms, more tools, resources, and a calendar of NFT events and launches. Additionally, they created a Discord server where members could interact and talk about concepts at the same time.
And not just that: they ran rooms in Clubhouse each day, marathons which lasted hours. Despite the length of these discussions, everybody never seemed to get tired. As the platform grew, NFTS.TIPS began recruiting artists, designers, web architects, and freelance writers along with other creatives to join the NFTs of the future.
The community shared a passion for this brand new exciting technology and was open to sharing knowledge with other people. We started talking and sharing experiences and realized we were not alone in this passion.
THE BORED APE YACHT CLUB COLLECTION
In April 2021 was launched the most famous NFT collection – the Bored Ape Yacht Club. This collection was the very first to catch the eye and grew to be the pulse of NFTS.TIPS community. There was an infectious enthusiasm for not just locating the rarest apes but also for resale opportunities. Several users were online night and day to not miss an opportunity. I remember when Alexander Mazzei scolded me for not being in a room the night before. On that night many spectacular things happened to the collection and also the first derivatives were created. He said, “Where were you? You do not know what you lost! “
However, at the time I still did not understand the importance of that collection and their rarity. I believe no one realized what those NFTs would become. Initially, I wanted to buy one, but I bought a derivative thinking it was the same as those from the original collection. I purchased it because I loved it and paid the same cost as the original ones. It was a lovely derivative produced by Glassy. I love keeping it in my collection.
By the end of April 2021, the floor (smallest price) of the Bored Ape Yacht Club collection had collapsed a lot. It had been below the very first figure of 0.08 ETH. But even then I didn’t purchase it. I didn’t realize it. I even heard somebody give these nfts away for free on Clubhouse at one point. Despite this, I again didn’t get one. For me it was destiny to not have them. It was only afterwards I learned my lesson and also bought historical NFTs like Bulls on The Block and Slacker Duck Pond. These have never reached the value of the Bored Ape Yacht Club, though.
NFT GOODVIBES
Other Clubhouse members in some other groups had the very same enthusiasm and curiosity, and we were a small group of people eager to find out about and grow in the NFT space. Among these is a group which emerged shortly after NFTS.TIPS: NFT Good Vibes.8
While NFTS.TIPS represented the American community, NFT Good Vibes represented the British and European communities. NFT Good Vibes met in the Clubhouse rooms each day from 11 am. These rooms were a place for artists, collectors and enthusiasts to come speak about their work and share. Specifically, it promoted positive energy and a supportive atmosphere for its members. I’ve met numerous people here with whom I have wonderful relationships.
CAMARADERIE AND SHARED PURPOSE WITHIN THE NFT COMMUNITY
Most remarkable was we were all pretty much equal in knowledge of this new technology. We were the explorers. Some began from more experience or knowledge than others, but we all started from the very same place: from the beginning of the NFT journey. This fostered camaraderie and shared purpose as everyone attempted to navigate the murky waters of the NFT world.
GROWTH AND EVOLUTION OF THE CLUBHOUSE NFT COMMUNITY
Weeks and months passed as new members joined and old members became more seasoned in the NFT Clubhouse community. Many remained role models in this particular community, providing guidance, and suggestions, along with support to other NFT enthusiasts.
GRATITUDE TOWARDS THE NFT COMMUNITY
Recalling all those first times, I’m proud to become an early member of this pioneering group and humbled by the support and mentorship I’ve received from other people in the community. I never would have understood what I know these days without their encouragement and guidance. I will continue educating and empowering others in the NFT community and using this fantastic technology to make a difference in the world.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE FOLLOWING TWO YEARS?
A single article can not tell the entire story, but I can summarize the changes which have occurred. At first, the community represented a happy space, full of positivity, imagination and purpose. Anyone brand new to the community was warmly welcomed and discussions were always lively. Nevertheless, not all members were as noble as thought.
The community slowly began to change. The positive atmosphere was replaced by tension and negativity and several of the original members felt marginalized and treated unfairly. At one time, things got real. Certain members who have been unsatisfied with the way the community was run chose to intervene to change things.
A lot of them had worked to create a space for people to meet up with and share their excitement for NFTs. But ultimately, their work was not paid back and everything was falling apart. Community leadership was ultimately replaced, but it was way too late: many never received payment for their work in the community. The damage was done, and the beautiful purposes were destroyed.
People learned a lesson: they knew that regardless of how noble their motives were, there’d still be people who’d attempt to bring them down. But they also knew they could start over. They wanted a new community to end up stronger and more positive compared to the previous one.
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NOTES
- What is Clubhouse read on Wikipedia – Torna a leggere
- Click on the link to go to NFTS.TIPS site – Back to read
- Who is Alexander Mazzei – Back to read
- Who is Eric Spivak – Back to read
- Who is Eli Beckman “Glassy” founder of Glasshaus.io – Back to read
- Who is Olayinka Odeniran – Back to read
- Who is Jimena Buena Vida – Back to read
- The NFT Community Good Vibes on Clubhouse – Back to read
