Why isn’t your mom using blockchain?

Most blockchain enthusiasts readily acknowledge that the technology has some hurdles to clear before massive popular adoption will happen. Some of the hurdles that come to mind are:

• Usability: If you are a blockchain OG, you’ve gotten used to the process of creating a wallet and safely storing your keys. But the first time anyone tries it is quite a learning curve! Depending on the ease of the interface and the skills of the new users, even this entry-level task can seem out of reach. (Not to mention figuring out transactions and trades once you do have a wallet!)
• Philosophical: Some people are quite stuck on the energy-efficiency concerns that surround blockchain, especially Proof-of-Work chains like Bitcoin. Most people don’t know that other mechanisms exist, and that a blockchain like Cardano is very energy-efficient. Other philosophical concerns rooted in politics and ideas about money would also fit here. These also might have elements of misunderstanding and information gaps fueling the concerns.
• Identity: Nope, I’m not talking about Decentralized IDs. Most blockchain experts, nerds, and leaders are men. The great majority of them are developers, finance experts, or technology nerds. (Love ya, guys!) If you are thinking of some exceptions to this rule (this author is one), the exceptions merely prove the rule. For humans who do not fit this identity mold, it might seem like blockchain is not for you. Just like you might never make goat-milk-soap if you don’t identify as a goat farmer – It’s not that you think goat-soap is bad, it just doesn’t occur to you to do it.
• Access: If you are a developer in the developed world (ha), this hurdle isn’t sitting on your doorstep either, but it may be closer to your front door than you realized. Even in wealthy countries, many people do not regularly use personal computers. And many Web3 apps still don’t have fully-functional mobile browser interfaces. In the developing world, access issues are even more stark. There, even fewer people have access to a personal computer, but there are further barriers in the form of availability and high cost of internet access.

I want to share a little of my background and journey as a Web3 business co-founder. As a young adult, I studied art, Spanish, and education. Although I was born a generation too late to be a real flower-child, I wishfully identified as a hippie. In fact, I rather preferred to avoid technology, and all its associated screens whenever I could. These days I also identify as a mom, a doting aunt, and an avid gardener.

I am, however, a curious cat, and seldom turn away from a chance to learn something new when the opportunity lands in front of me. Twelve years ago, I was frankly annoyed when that learning opportunity was a software consulting job. Now, however, it’s more than a decade later and I’ve been cheerfully building software solutions ever since. Four years ago, I was also annoyed by the deep techie nerdiness of blockchain, but it was all my friend and co-founder wanted to talk about. And again, despite myself, I found myself interested in learning something new.

Four years later, we have published more than 200 educational articles about blockchain on Lido Nation. I figured out how to open a wallet, and have helped hundreds of other people do it too. I am deeply involved in Project Catalyst, as an advisor, Community Reviewer, and Milestone reviewer. I’m also a funded proposer, and am usually gleefully plotting our next big invention. In that role, I helped found a blockchain lab in Nairobi, Kenya, and I help with the work that we do there, including marketing, business planning, and translation efforts. I’ve designed and launched some NFT projects. I’m also honored to be an “Official” Cardano Ambassador, through the Cardano Foundation’s ambassador program, a link which allows me to connect with lots of other passionate nerds.

So what?

If you don’t identify as a blockchain enthusiast yet, keep an open mind. It’s not just for tech nerds. There’s lots of things to do, and the beauty of a public, permissionless ecosystem is that you don’t necessarily need to ace a job interview to start doing something you’re good at.

If you are an insider, try to be a bridge builder. When you are chatting with a woman, or a social worker, or a nurse, see if you can connect your passion for blockchain with something they will find compelling too. The questions they ask might lead you to make more inclusive decisions in the future.

When you are building your next project, consider the hurdles mentioned above and see if you can lower one or two of them. Does the interface of your app have to be coding-cave black? Yes, I know the devs like their dark mode, but maybe consider the muggles in your interface design as well.

The very first blockchain blinked on less than 2 decades ago, and for those of us in this “first generation” of builders and users, it’s fun to be part of the early club. But the ideas we have will really only grow into their potential when anyone can learn, participate, and picture themselves as part of it all. The future is for everyone!