This weekend brings the end of ETHDenver, an essential event for those who work in smart contract and DeFi on Ethereum and other platforms. I regret not being able to attend this year, as I’m still recuperating from four months of creating awesome projects and uncovering wrongdoers.
Thankfully, there are plenty of people who have recorded parts of the event so I can experience it through them. Unfortunately, some of these posts seem to be making fun of ETHDenver or expressing bewilderment at what is happening.
Do Kwon’s thinking may appear foolish and chaotic, but the truth is ETHDenver has gathered a legitimate community that are passionate about working together to create something from scratch. This type of collective will be able to survive during tough times in the crypto world, like what we’re experiencing right now.
It’s also a subtle way of showing that many of these people are too wealthy to care what others think.
It’s fashionable to cringe
ETHDenver and associated events can appear somewhat careless and really odd. For example, every year Jonathan Mann, also known as “The Song a Day Guy” contributes his own comical, slightly inexperienced songs to the gathering – causing people on Twitter to make fun of him.
However, ETHDenver had more than just a silly song to make attendees feel uneasy!
Last year, the event was held in a renovated parking garage where some of the bathrooms were either completely or partly out of service. Additionally, many in the ground floor seating area couldn’t see the main stage and it was hard to hear speakers due to people talking at the back of the room. Every now and then, an abundance of pizzas would be delivered upstairs resulting in long lines that almost blocked off pathways.
ETHDenver stands out from other crypto events in the public eye, having the same edge and energy as a great punk rock or hip hop show. It maintains its “do-it-yourself” atmosphere despite marketing firms and large budgets becoming more prevalent in crypto events. ETHDenver is based on ethos rather than ROI, and the flaws are seen as an advantage instead of a problem.
People who are financially-minded may not have a good impression of the Ethereum ecosystem when they see co-founder Vitalik Buterin doing the badger dance.
However, this is intentional because it helps create an atmosphere that separates those who belong in the Ethereum circle from “normies” who do not. The Ethereans are unfazed by this and consider it similar to a punk show where only certain people can be part of the experience.
It is a good thing that these individuals who made risky investments in fraudulent schemes and untrustworthy people during 2021 are now facing the consequences. If you do not comprehend their behaviour, it implies you have no grasp of what is happening either.
Being unbothered by outward appearances in an industry that has a great deal of money at stake could be the most confident and assertive decision one can make.
“You think I give a f**k if you think I’m cringe? … I am a chad! I am the ballsiest man alive, to go on stage and sing a Disney song with my wife!”
– crypto satirist Gabriel Haines
Having a billion dollars is awesome
The people at ETHDenver don’t feel the need to be particularly accessible or attractive to outsiders because they already have a strong network and are already working together well.
Additionally, many of them have been involved in crypto and Ethereum for a long time and now possess significant wealth, which makes wild fluctuations in the market relatively insignificant. This means that they can easily reject offers from venture capitalists without any real consequences.
Crypto events over the last three years have been highly orchestrated with the goal of creating a quick buzz. Arthur Hayes’s decision to park three rented Lambos outside CoinDesk’s Consensus conference in 2018 was intended as a sarcastic statement; however, it was not well-received and has since become an expected occurrence at many of crypto’s major events.
Many crypto conferences can be compared to the deceitful tactics of people like Tai Lopez, who make money by selling false promises of achieving riches to others at a high cost. The flashy production at these events often gives off an impression of success, which is funded by venture capital instead of actual accomplishments. Often more time and energy is spent on creating a false perception than on developing something useful. These activities may lead to real partnerships and growth, or they may just be strategies for quick profit-making.
Asking for money constantly is highly embarrassing, and one must work hard to create the right image and spin each situation. However, ETHDenver is a refreshing exception, making it an impressive experience.
