Why "Blockchain" Isn't So Scary

PRESENTED BY VIBE STREAM NETWORK
WHAT’S THE VIBE?
NEWSLETTER
7.5-9.5 minute read — 1558 words

Making New Tech Easy w/ VSN

👋 Happy Monday Vibers!

🧑‍💻 These last couple newsletters have been more focused on the media side than the tech. This week, we want to break down some new technology in a very approachable way. After this, you should no longer be scared of the word “blockchain”.

😱 Most people hear “blockchain” and think cryptocurrency or cartoon monkey pictures. However, blockchain technology has so many more applications that will reshape our daily lives in the coming years. A blockchain is simply a database that can verify who owns what and grant owners access or rewards. There are many blockchains, and it’s getting easier to build your own for your community or company. This allows for us to create and control our own systems — meaningfully engaging participants without having to sell their data to advertisers.

🔍️ In the next section we’re going to highlight some incredible people that are building products geared towards solving real world issues faced by people across industries. First, we’ll speak about the Polkadot Blockchain Academy that has brought together young brilliant minds from around the world to hone their scope of work and find investors to fund their dreams. Then, we’ll briefly touch on Vibe Stream Network’s partner Eluvio, who has built a blockchain specifically for storing, distributing, and managing access to content.

🎥 Back in July, VSN was asked to provide entertainment for a Polkadot Blockchain Academy (PBA) mixer at the Eluvio headquarters in Berkeley. Our Chief Creative Officer, Journey Meta, put on a DJ set of original Vibe Stream Beats while our CEO Matt “Tre Rail” Sherman and COO Layla Anderson picked the brains of the geniuses in the building. We were able to livestream Journey’s set in Los Angeles into the Eluvio blockchain and blast that onto screens in their Berkeley HQ. Follow us on Instagram or X (Twitter) to see recaps of the event and interviews with some PBA students & Eluvio staff.

🚀 LET’S GROW!!

Your “Aha!” Moment For Blockchain

⛓️ Blockchain is a fast growing industry with so much more to go. This next section is to give you faith in the future of this technology, and the people who are working to make it happen.

💰️ You’ve probably heard of Bitcoin and Ethereum — the biggest and most expensive blockchains out there. Today, we’ll shine some light on Polkadot! The Polkadot blockchain is a team player in the space focused on real-world use cases. They offer cheaper more efficient transactions than larger blockchains and compatibility across all other blockchains for “boundless innovation”. In the spring of 2022, Polkadot launched a program to educate and empower both developers and entrepreneurs in the blockchain space — the Polkadot Blockchain Academy. PBA hosts 6-week cohorts in partnership with educational institutions like Cambridge University, Universidad de Buenos Aires, and, most recently, UC Berkeley. While the academy was hosted in Berkeley, VSN got to meet some of the students. Time to highlight some of the awesome builders of tomorrow!

🥇 First up is Brian. His company DoubleDutch is using blockchain technology to track and record health information and present you with quality life insurance policies. By recording the information on a decentralized and anonymous blockchain, it limits the potential for bias from insurance companies. Through the app they are able to give suggestions, based upon statistics, to improve user health outcomes and policy rates. DoubleDutch also uses blockchain to store currency and provide high yield interest opportunities to further benefit its users. DoubleDutch has been accepted into multiple tech accelerators now. We look forward to seeing Brian’s success!

📚️ Next, lets talk about Viviane from Argentina (PhD in AI and Degree from Harvard Medical School using AI to complete brain scans) who is now creating an immersive VR literary platform — implementing computer generated images to bring narration to life. . She is using blockchain technology to track audiobook contributors, gate access, and manage international payment systems. Her global experiences gave perspective that audiobooks require translations in several languages. Payments may need to come from many types of currencies and need frictionless transactions to benefit consumers and contributors around the world. Viviane’s innovations will surely add joy to book lovers everywhere.

🎨 Finally, let’s take a look at Alex in Lithuania. Alex is the Co-Founder and CTO of SketchAR — an augmented reality art app. They present you with stencils that you can pull up on your phone, and via AR, put on walls, desks, or floors to bring your sketches to life. They have used blockchain to create revenue sources for their app’s users. SketchAR hosts competitions in which the best submissions are put into a collection. The collection is then sold on a global blockchain as limited edition art. The revenue generated is distributed to the contributors of the community event. It’s amazing to see all of the creativity being able to be compiled, sold, and rewarded in this new way. Go, Alex, go!

😁 These are only three of many conversations we had with the graduates of the Polkadot Blockchain Academy. Tune in on our socials for full clips of the interviews. If you’re interested in applying to the PBA you can do so here.

🎞️ Now, let’s touch on our partner, Eluvio — the blockchain VSN is currently building on. This women-led, tech titan to-be was founded by CEO Michelle Munson and President Serban Simu after selling their last company, Aspera, to IBM. Aspera is a software still used by major movie studios to send the final production cut to theaters around the world (the files are too large to simply use google drive or WeTransfer). In 2017, they realized they could build an infinitely more efficient software and service using blockchain technology.

💾 Eluvio has revolutionized the way content is transferred across devices by weaving a layer of stored media into their own blockchain (we’ll go deeper on this another time). This not only secures the files from those that do not own the necessary access, but allows for limited supply packages of digital media. Don’t worry, the platform they’ve built is so seamless you don’t even know you’re using new technology. You just sign in with your Gmail, pay with your debit card, and watch your favorite content.

👀 Thus far, Eluvio has been used by Fox, Sony, Warner Brothers, Microsoft, and more to package and distribute content. Eluvio has even launched a smart tv app to view your media in the way we’ve all gotten used to. Fun fact, Maskverse has been using Eluvio’s blockchain technology to conduct their voting system for the past 5 years. Now, they’re proud to be partnered with us, Vibe Stream Network, to bring their technology to the culture!

🌇 Eluvio is currently an Ethereum-based blockchain, but they soon plan to move to… you guessed it… Polkadot!

🤣 Now that wasn’t so bad was it?!

Pop Up Record Shop - Burner of the Week

🏆️ The Pop-Up Record Shop continues week after week to be the gathering place for so many creatives to showcase their work and discuss the new innovations in music technology. Today we are going to highlight an integral piece of the puzzle that is PuRS — the community manager, LUNA01!

🌙 LUNA01 is a Khmer, Mexican American Audio Engineer from Los Angeles. Having a diverse background in instruments such as cello, piano, guitar, and more; he merges diverse musical genres to create a unique take on modern music. LUNA01 draws inspiration from Sci-fi, films, and his cultural roots. Having previously worked for notable projects, such as KOTA, which made Billboard top 10 NFT projects twice in 2023. Both as an artist, and an audio engineer; he is committed to pushing musical boundaries, spreading music education, and staying on the cutting edge of technology.

⏰ Learn firsthand from Luna’s experience at the next episodes of the Pop Up Record Shop on Tuesdays & Fridays 11am PST. Stay tuned!

JOIN THE CONVO

Journey Meta Tool of the Week
- DESIGN TREND GURU -

🚀 In an age dominated by Large Language Models (LLMs), there's a growing demand for specialized knowledge bots that cater to distinct niches. Enter "Design Trend Guru," the brainchild of visionary Journey Meta. This revolutionary chatbot is more than a mere tool; it's your virtual portal to the mesmerizing realms of design, trends, and art movements across the past, present, and future.

"Design Trend Guru" serves as your creative North Star, expertly navigating you through a maze of color palettes, textures, typographies, and the profound art movements that have shaped the artists we admire today. Whether you're an aspiring artist taking your initial steps or a seasoned global creative director seeking fresh inspiration, this meticulously crafted chatbot empowers you with the wisdom of a creative genius.

It's not just about keeping pace with trends; it's about transcending them. Exclusively available for ChatGPT Plus users, access your creative compass with a simple scan of the QR code and embark on a journey where innovation knows no bounds.

Tre Rail’s Word of the Week

11 Letters: -s-il-a--o-
Definition - An action that soundwaves take

Reply to this email with the answer or DM Vibe Stream Network on Instagram or X for access to a new beat from VSN