Kickstarter has announced that it will be creating a new company to embrace cryptocurrencies:
“As a first step, we’re supporting the development of an open-source protocol that will essentially create a decentralized version of Kickstarter’s core functionality. This will live on a public blockchain, and be available for collaborators, independent contributors, and even Kickstarter competitors, from all over the world to build upon, connect to, or use. We think bringing all that we’ve learned about crowdfunding since 2009 to inform the development of a decentralized protocol will open up exciting new opportunities for creative projects to come to life. In the coming weeks, a white paper will be released outlining the technology and plans for the protocol.
“In the spirit of decentralization, we’re establishing an independent organization that will kick off the development of the protocol. Kickstarter PBC will provide this new independent organization with some funding, appoint an initial board, and commit to being one of the protocol’s earliest clients, meaning Kickstarter.com will be built on top of the protocol. As a user, the Kickstarter experience you’re familiar with will stay the same. You won’t “see” the protocol, but you will benefit from its improvements.”
The announcement does offer a pre-emptive response to the concerns about the environmental impact of blockchain mining, introducing Celo, the apparently carbon-negative platform that Kickstarter will be working with.
Many Kickstarter users and patrons have shared their disappointment over this switch, expressing concerns over the environmental irresponsibility that the majority of blockchain mining has shown thus far. Kickstarter will evidently share a white paper providing greater detail on their commitment to decentralization and environmental sustainability.
While I’m all for disrupting the current financial systems for something better for all, it’s hard to take seriously something so firmly grounded in environmental irresponsibility, memes, and the same amount of greed we see in everything else. Anyway, please enjoy Keanu Reeves sharing his thoughts on NFTs:
Keanu's laugh in response to NFTs in this @verge interview is everything I wanted for Christmashttps://t.co/v4pix60nX9 pic.twitter.com/1J5EcoijDs
— David Zhou (@dz) December 10, 2021
In other, much sadder news, beloved artist George Perez revealed a stage 3 pancreatic cancer diagnosis that has left him with about six months of life to enjoy to its fullest. Fans and colleagues and friends are expressing their love for the industry legend, including our own Corinne McCreery.
George Perez means the world to me. He's my favorite comic artist of all time, and I'm blessed that I have been able to interact with him on two occasions. I have six Perez originals — five convention sketches, and one full-body Supergirl commission. pic.twitter.com/ueaHnFRA0Y
— Cori McCreery (@CoriMarie21) December 7, 2021
