Here's how the 'upheaval' of existing networks like Twitter and Threads is an opportunity for web3 social

Web3 • September 7, 2023, 10:01AM EDT

Published 1 minute earlier on

Quick Take

Li Jin and Stani Kulechov dive into the potential of web3 social platforms like Lens Protocol, highlighting creator autonomy and control in the evolving digital landscape.

Episode 81 of Season 5 of The Scoop was recorded with The Block's Frank Chaparro, Variant co-founder Li Jin, and Aave AAVE -1.86% & Lens creator Stani Kulechov.

Listen below, and subscribe to The Scoop on Youtube, Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please send feedback and revision requests to [email protected].

Li Jin is the co-founder and a general partner at the VC firm Variant and has written extensively about the benefits of web3 social platforms for creators. Stani Kulechov is the creator of Aave (one of the largest decentralized finance protocols) and has been key to the development of the web3 social network platform, Lens Protocol.

In this episode, Li and Kulechov examine the problems with the existing social media landscape and explain the opportunities that exist for new web3 social media attempts such as Lens Protocol.

As Jin explains, one of the key benefits of web3 social is that "every element of the business model is totally in the creator's control."

Outline:
01:15 - Existing Social Media Landscape
08:18 - Opportunities for Web3 Social
12:35 - 'Socioeconomic Graph'
14:20 - Lens Protocol
17:44 - Financialization of Social Media
25:30 - Monetization on X (Twitter)
31:00 - Community Ownership
34:46 - 'Liquid Citizen'
38:26 - Investing in Web3 Social
40:09 - Tokens & Web3 Social
45:17 - Lens Protocol v2

About Authors

Davis Quinton is the Director of Podcasts at The Block and runs our flagship podcast called The Scoop, hosted by Frank Chaparro. Since joining The Block as an 'intern' in early 2022, he has worked closely with leaders across departments to translate The Block's written content into engaging multimedia formats. He holds a degree in Social Research & Public Policy from New York University in Abu Dhabi and is based in Sydney, Australia.

Frank Chaparro is Host of The Scoop podcast and Director of Special Projects. He also writes a biweekly newsletter. Chaparro started his career at Business Insider, where he specialized in the intersection of digital assets and Wall Street, market structure, and financial technology. Soon after joining Business Insider out of Fordham University, Chaparro was interviewing top finance and tech executives, including billionaire Mark Cuban, “Flash Boys” star Brad Katsuyama, Cboe Global Markets CEO Ed Tilly, and New York Stock Exchange President Tom Farley. In 2018, he become a sought after reporter in the crypto world, interviewing luminaries such as Tyler Winklevoss, the cofounder of Gemini, Jeremy Allaire, the CEO of Circle, and Fundstrat head Tom Lee. For inquiries or tips, email [email protected].