Regen

Reading this thread from mrdoob (creator of three.js) got me thinking. We know maintaining open-source projects is a giant challenge, and actually a use-case where crypto (both technically, culturally) seems a natural fit. 

Yet, well-known open-source projects, like three.js, never see crypto as a viable option. Instead, three.js appears to be supported by Google while remaining open-source (!)

Why do you think crypto hasn’t played a bigger role in funding projects like this? And how could it in the future?

summary_large_image

Open source maintainer for 15 years now AMA 🤓

Context:
https://t.co/UBADMzXfQ6

mrdoob

Reading this thread from mrdoob (creator of three.js) got me thinking. We know maintaining open-source projects is a giant challenge, and actually a use-case where crypto (both technically, culturally) seems a natural fit. 

Yet, well-known open-source projects, like three.js, never see crypto as a viable option. Instead, three.js appears to be supported by Google while remaining open-source (!)

Why do you think crypto hasn’t played a bigger role in funding projects like this? And how could it in the future?

https://x.com/mrdoob/status/1891227585666785554

Researcher at MIT Media Lab | Creating futures | https://cyrus.website/info

Stay Curious // iixii // Lazer Technologies // Prev: CoinDesk, Roc Nation // based

it seems like the first point is still the major blocker. I know from experience that many of the people running / aspiring to run open-source projects see crypto as deeply tainted and corrupt.

perhaps it goes hand in hand though. so much energy in this space is used to drive attention and resources to new, speculative ideas via the same models that could be used to support and help existing projects. 

if there were more stories of sustainable crypto-economies forming around things people actually use you'd have to imagine there would be more positive sentiment. that being said, it would probably be much less casino/attention economics friendly.

Few things come to mind:

- Crypto comes with a lot of baggage (culturally and reputationally)

- Figuring out the right model + incentives to sustainably maintain the open-source project is tricky and it's probably a bit different for every project based on goals of the main stewards 

- Crypto tech has just recently gotten to a place where its relatively simple and easy to apply crypto to open-source projects in a way that provides a good product experience