In an enlightening Twitter space with @itsdonnyok, we voyaged into the fascinating world of NFTs, drawing intriguing parallels between Web3's human participants and behaviors often witnessed in the vast expanse of the animal kingdom. While juxtaposing our digital endeavors with the instincts of the wild might seem comical, a deeper dive reveals uncanny resemblances hard not to acknowledge.
Signaling for status and attention
The radiant plumage of a male peacock, much like the conspicuous red pouch of the Patagonian frigatebird, serves to captivate potential mates. In the world of digital collectibles, much like our animal counterparts fervently seek out exclusive assets, using them as badges of status in the sprawling landscape of digital art and digital identity. The motivation to stand out and be seen is unmistakable—what else drives one's choice of that unique pfp?
Collecting for aesthetic enjoyment
On Australia's east coast, the satin bowerbird's meticulous endeavor of gathering vibrant (predominantly blue) objects to craft stunning displays aimed at wooing a mate. Similarly, many collectors in the digital domain don't merely view assets as cold investments; there's an inherent joy, a deep-seated pleasure that emanates from the act of curating their collections, mirroring the aesthetic passions of the bowerbird.
Legacy building for future generations
Throughout the animal realm, the relentless pursuit to provide for the next generation is the number one animal instinct. Take the potter wasp, tirelessly crafting mud nests for its young, or the nurturing chimpanzee that guides its offspring all the way into adulthood. In the Web3 world, many regard their digital treasures as beacons for the future, emblematic of investments that might flourish with time. In particular ordinals, which by design will "outlive us," echoing nature's drive to safeguard the ensuing lineage.
Survival of the fittest in the digital age
The age-old Darwinian adage, "survival of the fittest," though birthed from biological roots, finds resonance in the ecosystem we call Web3. At its core, it stipulates that entities endowed with favorable traits are better poised to thrive and survive. Just as Darwin's finches honed specific beak designs to flourish in the Galapagos, savvy navigation of the NFT world—armed with informed decisions and keen market insights—can potentially pave the way to enduring success.
While our playful comparison of Web3 enthusiasts to the myriad wonders of the animal kingdom might raise eyebrows initially, the parallels we draw are both playful, but definitely genuine. They spotlight the multifaceted tapestry of human motivations. And as the Lindy effect posits, the longevity of a trait or behavior, be it in nature or the Web3 realm, might just be its ticket to long-term survival.
