Is Web3 broken? Honestly, sometimes it feels like it. When we’re hit with the scams, the complexity, the environmental justice issues flying around some of these projects, it’s easy to be demoralized. To write it off completely is to look past a monumental opportunity. We cannot afford to throw the baby out with the bathwater. The dream of a more equitable, user-controlled internet is too crucial a pursuit to give up on. The question is not is Web3 broken, but rather how do we fix it, together.

Forgotten Voices Need To Be Heard

Let's be real. Web3 the way it’s presented today might as well be one of those exclusive glass doors. A society where admission is predicated on having a dress code of a PhD in cryptography and a bank account bursting full of cryptocurrency. This isn’t the decentralized utopia that we’ve been sold. For many, the complexity is a barrier. The technical mumbo jumbo, the gas prices, the relentless risk of rug pulls – it’s intense! We have to admit that Web3, as it exists today, is in danger of further entrenching the same inequities it says it wants to address.

Think about it. Web1 was the Wild West, a lawless, dangerous place with a static, hierarchical, linear landscape of digital brochures. Web2 provided us connection, user-generated content, social media — but through lost privacy and control over our data. Our data turned into their product, and a few large tech companies gained unrivaled power. Web3 had been promised as something different – a more decentralized and user-centric ecosystem where users own their data and have greater control over their digital identities.

The question that’s rarely asked is, who’s really benefitting from this new paradigm? Are we really putting the power in the hands of these underserved communities? Or are we only paving new avenues for the elite to accrue even greater fortunes?

This is where our “Forgotten Voices” initiative comes. As the tech world builds inclusive spaces, we need to intentionally vet and project the voices of those who have historically been pushed out of tech environments. We need to stop making Web3 exclusive to the elites. It should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical proficiency or socioeconomic status. This isn’t all hunky-dory, feel-good nonsense — it’s being smart and creating a more durable, hardy and as a result, superior internet.

Now picture Web3 projects created by and for these same underserved communities. Projects that solve proven challenges such as improvements to access to financial services, trusted secure communications, or equitable access to telehealth. This requires intentionality. That starts by intentionally inviting people from all backgrounds and experiences and establishing an environment where all voices are heard, valued, and engaged.

Community Governance Is The Key

Decentralization is more than a tech buzzword – it’s a governance philosophy. It's about creating systems where decisions are made collectively, not dictated from above. This is where community-driven governance becomes crucial.

Currently, a majority of Web3 projects suffer from centralized control by a handful of insiders, typically founders or early investors. This leaves huge power imbalance open to exploitation and exclusion. We need to shift towards more decentralized governance models, where token holders and community members have a real say in the direction of the project.

This is not only a desirable — it’s absolutely crucial for long-term operability. When communities are empowered, they make the best decisions. They will be more invested in a project’s success and more likely to hold its leaders accountable. Think of it like this: a community-governed project is like a well-tended garden. Everyone pays, everyone enjoys the benefits, and everyone has a stake in its continued health. A project directed by a handful of people looks like a monoculture farm. It’s susceptible to invasive species and is not viable in the long run.

We must do so by putting active support behind every one of these projects that are experimenting with new governance models, such as DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations). We have to absorb their victories and missteps and create national best practices for community-driven decision-making.

  • Consider these questions:
    • How can we ensure that governance processes are transparent and accessible to all?
    • How can we incentivize participation and prevent voter apathy?
    • How can we protect against malicious actors who seek to manipulate the system?

These questions are difficult and controversial, we need to face them head on. … answering them is key to building a truly decentralized and equitable internet our communities are clamoring for.

Let's Build It Better Together

Web3 is not a completed product. It's an evolving process. It's a movement. It’s an opportunity to construct a better internet – a more open, more equitable, more user-controlled internet. A lot of potential. Sure, there’s a lot of potential at stake, but it won’t materialize without us being proactive.

Web3 isn’t a silver bullet that displaces everything that existed in the past. It's an evolution. Even more fundamentally, it pushes us to question our beliefs around trust, control and future of value exchange. More importantly, it provides a roadmap to build a more equitable digital world. Here’s to a world where we, the users, are empowered participants, not victims.

  • Support Web3 projects that prioritize inclusivity and community-driven governance. Do your research. Look for projects that are actively working to empower marginalized communities and create more equitable governance models.
  • Advocate for policies that promote equitable access to Web3 technologies. This could involve supporting initiatives that provide digital literacy training, affordable internet access, and access to Web3 development tools.
  • Educate yourself and others about the potential of Web3 to create positive social change. Talk to your friends, your family, your colleagues. Share articles, podcasts, and videos that explain the potential of Web3 to create a more equitable world.
  • Contribute to open-source Web3 projects. If you have technical skills, consider contributing to open-source Web3 projects that are aligned with your values. Even if you don't have technical skills, you can still contribute by providing feedback, testing new features, or helping to translate documentation.

Let's not let that vision fade. Let's get involved. Let's build it better, together. The future of the internet is at stake.

Let's not let that vision fade. Let's get involved. Let's build it better, together. The future of the internet depends on it.