5 ms·

Promoting the grift – celeberities endorsing NFTs

35 points by newdeveloper1 5y ago

newdeveloper1 5y ago
For my first website, I made a catalog of all NFT promotions by celebrities.
zach_garwood 5y ago
I think it's a little unfair to include John Cleese in the list, as his stunt to sell an NFT of a bridge was obviously a satire of the scammy nature of NFTs. As if to say, "if you think NFTs have any value, I've got a bridge to sell you".
- the_biot 5y ago
  Indeed, that was plainly his intention. But what if it did sell for $69.3 million? Would he have taken the money? Um, did it sell?
- newdeveloper1 5y ago
  Appreciate the take. Originally, my view was that any activity that brought attention to NFTs - no matter the intent - constitutes a "promotion" in a way. But I think I'm convinced. Thanks!
  - nybble41 5y ago
    > Originally, my view was that any activity that brought attention to NFTs - no matter the intent - constitutes a "promotion" in a way. By that reasoning the author of "promotingthegrift.com" also belongs on the list—unless you don't think making the front page of HN is enough to qualify you as a "celebrity"?
hmrtn 5y ago
Jesus - just get over it already. The intrinsic financial nature of blockchain tech seems to attract the most unhinged popular opinions.
- cuteboy19 5y ago
  The intrinsically "solution looking for a problem" nature of blockchain invites increasingly nonsensical grifts. The criticism is warranted.
- newdeveloper1 5y ago
  Unhinged how?
  - aaaaaaaaata 5y ago
    "NFTs" will be utilized as: legal paperwork/receipts, garage access tokens, home access tokens, school library reserved room token, improved certificates of authenticity for collectibles, augmented reality trading card games, had to start thinking, so I'll stop there. Have you deeply considered any of these (the technology part of the technology), or just today's grifters? Don't be the one to get everyone to throw away email because of fake princes scamming people through it.
    - newdeveloper1 5y ago
      But do NFTs actually have properties that solve any of these alleged problems? > school library reserved room token Like, reserving a room at a library... is this really a problem for which the best solution is writing immutable code to a blockchain and exchanging tokens on a centralized platform that incurs tons of money in gas fees? Is that truly better than... a volunteer employee at the front desk trading you a conference room key for your driver's license? I feel like if this is the end all be all example of the power of NFTs, it's a clear admission that the tech is kinda worthless? What am I missing?
      - aaaaaaaaata 5y ago
        You're missing that the chain is already essentially ubiquitous for those that this is an important topic to, to the point where large institutions are betting millions and billions on being a layer-2 player on it. & if Ethereum isn't the "winner" at the "end", it'll be an Ethereum Virtual Machine compatible implementation.

35 points by newdeveloper1 5y ago

For my first website, I made a catalog of all NFT promotions by celebrities.

I think it's a little unfair to include John Cleese in the list, as his stunt to sell an NFT of a bridge was obviously a satire of the scammy nature of NFTs. As if to say, "if you think NFTs have any value, I've got a bridge to sell you".

the_biot 5y ago
Indeed, that was plainly his intention. But what if it did sell for $69.3 million? Would he have taken the money? Um, did it sell?
newdeveloper1 5y ago
Appreciate the take. Originally, my view was that any activity that brought attention to NFTs - no matter the intent - constitutes a "promotion" in a way. But I think I'm convinced. Thanks!
- nybble41 5y ago
  > Originally, my view was that any activity that brought attention to NFTs - no matter the intent - constitutes a "promotion" in a way. By that reasoning the author of "promotingthegrift.com" also belongs on the list—unless you don't think making the front page of HN is enough to qualify you as a "celebrity"?

hmrtn 5y ago

Jesus - just get over it already. The intrinsic financial nature of blockchain tech seems to attract the most unhinged popular opinions.

cuteboy19 5y ago
The intrinsically "solution looking for a problem" nature of blockchain invites increasingly nonsensical grifts. The criticism is warranted.
newdeveloper1 5y ago
Unhinged how?
- aaaaaaaaata 5y ago
  "NFTs" will be utilized as: legal paperwork/receipts, garage access tokens, home access tokens, school library reserved room token, improved certificates of authenticity for collectibles, augmented reality trading card games, had to start thinking, so I'll stop there. Have you deeply considered any of these (the technology part of the technology), or just today's grifters? Don't be the one to get everyone to throw away email because of fake princes scamming people through it.
  - newdeveloper1 5y ago
    But do NFTs actually have properties that solve any of these alleged problems? > school library reserved room token Like, reserving a room at a library... is this really a problem for which the best solution is writing immutable code to a blockchain and exchanging tokens on a centralized platform that incurs tons of money in gas fees? Is that truly better than... a volunteer employee at the front desk trading you a conference room key for your driver's license? I feel like if this is the end all be all example of the power of NFTs, it's a clear admission that the tech is kinda worthless? What am I missing?
    - aaaaaaaaata 5y ago
      You're missing that the chain is already essentially ubiquitous for those that this is an important topic to, to the point where large institutions are betting millions and billions on being a layer-2 player on it. & if Ethereum isn't the "winner" at the "end", it'll be an Ethereum Virtual Machine compatible implementation.