Four Weeks into the Crypto Experiment: Student Reflections & Suggestions
A few days ago, I asked the students in History5151 to take a couple of minutes and reflect on where we are and where we’re going with this Crypto-Experiment—a project designed to turn collective engagement about public history into resources for Philadelphia’s historical community. As expected, we got a lot of deep thinking.
Looking South from Temple University to Center City Philadelphia (Source)
Using Steemit for this Crypto-Experiment:
“The best part about it is that we are required to produce something every week on a platform that is new and interesting.”
“I admire the way in which we are challenged to think differently about how history is written and shared.”
"This course project has got me thinking more about the power dynamics of the nonprofit world and how issues of representation in leadership and narrative construction are directly tied to funding."
“I am game to continue the experiment through its endpoint, and then to assess its success and scalability.”
"I am intrigued by the cryptocurrency/blog experiment, [but] I'm wary that the assignation of value (mainly upvotes by key people at key times) is not really based on objective standards of quality or merit. Unfortunately, I think this is a reality of publication and promotion via the internet…”
Students of History 5151 considering the course after four weeks. (Source @kenfinkel)
Hopes, Wishes and Dreams…
"I'm still excited by the idea that we can generate income simply by expressing our ideas online. I appreciate how it will force whoever applies for the funding to think digitally, and I think it's a good lesson for us to experience giving out money instead of applying for it.”
“I am looking forward to working to push non-profits to re imagine what they offer the community and how they offer it…”
“There is great potential for good to be done here, and furthermore great potential to inspire an economic, and perhaps along those lines cognitive, shift in the cultural sector, and I have concerns about falling short of such a contribution.”
…Discomfort, Doubts
"This course has presented quite a bit of discomfort so far, but for the most part I think it has been the kind of discomfort that brings about growth. I'm optimistic about the path this course can take and I think my colleagues are getting into some interesting territory. "
“I feel that innovation and cutting edge presentations do not seem to be a strength of the cultural sector, despite having a lot of creative people. I am curious in looking into how such connections between innovators and actualized improvement are missed and why that is the case."
One student admitted it “feels like stumbling in the dark” but sees an upside “in that it has gotten many of us to a point where we're thinking about opportunities for investment beyond the established institutions…”
… and Outright Worries
“It seems like [making grants to] established institutions will be at best a non-ideal compromise. They might take our money, but our grant won't change the way they do business.”
“Even if we transition to a cultural sector run on cryptocurrency, we will still need to contend with an increasingly money-driven model that breeds monopolies…”
“…one of my fears is that we will reach the end of this project only for the crypto-market to crash, leaving us with nothing to offer.”
Bell Tower at the heart of Temple University's campus (Source)
The Importance of Moving Online Discussion to the Real-life Classroom:
“I really want to talk about each other's writings/ideas in class.”
“I'd appreciate some class discussion time for us to react to each other's posts in person. People have been engaging in some interesting dialogues in the comments section that I think could benefit from more in-person conversation."
And Suggestions to Stimulate More and Better Classroom Discussion:
Pose questions, “both ethical and practical… discuss these issues frankly and openly amongst our classmates...”
“I'd love to have more class time to engage in discussion” about the readings.
“…step back a little bit and prod discussion (and wait out the uncomfortable silence), we might have some interesting conversations about where we want to be in the Steemit ecosystem and how we want to do it."
And so, as the fifth week approaches, we anticipate some pretty robust conversation, online and off.
Interested? Join us!
100% of the SBD rewards from this #explore1918 post will support the Philadelphia History Initiative @phillyhistory. This crypto-experiment conducted by graduate courses at Temple University's Center for Public History and MLA Program, is exploring history and empowering education. Click here to learn more.
^ A great point! The way in which your class decides to approach institutions with crowdfunded crypto is super important. By that I mean, writing a check to a non-profit (the way it's been done) won't change a thing. You've got to change the process of applying and the requirements thereafter. One baseline example could be requiring an institution to create a Steem account in order to receive a grant. Another requirement could be a proposal to use steem and their newfound stake. What if your applicants were required to implement a 1 year program (or blog) on Steem to showcase their work?
^ Crypto monopolies exist right now, that's true. But it's also changing rapidly. The idea of a Steem monopoly isn't the same as a 20th century grant giver monopoly. Remember that Steem is a blockchain where you can delegate influence to others (giving them the ability to earn and upvote more effectively). There's also beneficiary rewards and features that you can use to empower grass root projects. This isn't a monopoly in the traditional sense. It's far more dynamic and impactful (when used correctly).
^ This could absolutely happen! But that kind of gamble and uncertainty exists right now within the grant world. You could spend an entire semester writing a grant application... and if it's not selected to receive funding, you receive nothing. At least with this incremental model you have an opportunity to earn and accumulate during the process. This is a more sustainable model for many reasons. It promotes audience building, information sharing, and of course equity of an ecosystem.
We talked in class yesterday about what our criteria for funding ought to be. This suggestion is very interesting in how it required the recipient to take a big, crypto-leap! (But how else are we going to build change into both process and product?)
I wonder what students (or others) think about making this a requirement for recipients?
@voronoi i am quite impressed with the depth of thought in your responses.... i work for an international NGO based in Watertown, and for the past 50 years we have relied on the USG for core funds to implement our work globally....the landscape is changing especially with increasing donor fatigue and budget cuts, the onus is on us as an organization to rethink how we source for funds for the impactful work we do globally....i am part of a team commissioned to explore new opportunities and i have been inspired by the work of @phillyhistory, @sndbox and some other notable steemians..... i will appreciate if you can pitch in with some ideas for how to get started and we can continue the discussions via my official email [email protected] will appreciate any help or info that u can provide....Thanks
All these movement is a change of paradigm, it is normal to feel or present some resistance towards it, but as good entities accustomed to adapt to the new environment, we will surely end up adapting well to it.
It's very interesting how your class offers you all the nuances of this beautiful digital universe. Great idea share all of this with them.
Luar biasa
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“…one of my fears is that we will reach the end of this project only for the crypto-market to crash, leaving us with nothing to offer.” With the US Govt. basically trying to regulate the scammers out and give it a green light. This will make the market more credible. It could crash but the future for the block change is very positive. Some of your concerns may never bare fruite. Up-voted and resteemed.
I'm so glad to read about the students' experiences so far, I've been wondering how it's going for them. It's such a new avenue of "classroom" exploration so these periodic assessments to get perspective are important.
Something I think is important -and was mentioned here - is that you, me, we, all of us DO have a say in how steemit and other digital platforms progress. Proceeding with intention to create a paradigm that embodies our values is essential. We are spearheading a revolution here and have everything to do with just how it comes to life!
I commend @kenfinkel and all of these students for their courage in undertaking this project!