removing the cost for real users to join and contribute to the network is an existential problem farcaster needs to solve

most people don't pay for social media - doesn't matter if it's $1 or $10 - it's not something they're used to

this is also an existential problem for apps building on farcaster

This is interesting. 
We’re accustomed to “free” web2 solutions, but they make money through shady, non-transparent methods. Web3 solutions, on the other hand, change that dynamic by charging you upfront and offering a chance to earn money on their platform. Unlike web2, where 90% of users end up paying just to stay visible, web3 provides a more transparent and potentially rewarding experience imo. 
But yes, the start (change of behavior) is always a very friction problem.

IRL: Creative Director who makes movies and ads.

i agree that incentives are not aligned in web2

i disagree that an upfront fee is the way to solve that (it's also not working for twitter/X)

i also don't think people join social networks to make money

I don't think that's the way too. But I do believe it's more transparent tho.

People always join social networks to make money, indirectly. Initially, people might have used Instagram because it was cool, but now it's primarily a platform for advertising. Whether for companies or personal brands, it's how we market ourselves these days.

But your friends are not a statistic (unless you have thousands of friends 😂)
I agree that most people don't make money there—90% at least. But they're there because a few do make money (all sorts of influencers).

People consume influencers' content because the influencers make money through the platform. If they weren't, they wouldn't be there. And if they're not consuming content and are rather creating content, they're aiming to make money or transform views into clients, whether they're companies or personal users wanting to build their ´´brand´´.

I have an audiovisual company, so I work with this daily, btw.

all of my friends use social media and none of them are making money

there are tons of other sources of value in social: entertainment, learning, discussing niche topics, meeting new people

I couldn't have said this better. It boils down to making money eventually.