What is Hive?
People talk about it. They mention the marketing of it. But what is it?
In other words, what are they talking about?
Many will say that Hive is many different things. I disagree with this viewpoint. To me, this is reading something into it that it is not.
This misunderstanding is what is slowing progress. It is something discussed regularly without truly addressing the issue.
For that reason, we will dive into it and see what we can come up with.
What is Hive?
This is probably the starting point.
What is Hive? The answer is simple.
Hive is an immutable, permissionless text database.
That is ultimately what we are dealing with. Everything that is tied to Hive relates to this essential point. The entire premise of blogging is based upon this fact. The database does not require smart contracts. It is also more than just a financial ledger such as Bitcoin. It provides the ability to store text data in a way that is immutable since it is not under the control of one entity.
It replaces the traditional client-server architecture. The data is stored on numerous unrelated servers that run the software. Whatever is placed on chain is accessible by anyone who wants to access one of the public APIs or set one up.
Trying doing this with X, Medium, or Facebook. Hell, trying doing it with Bank of America.
There are, naturally, other components coded at the base layer. For example, we have a network authentication system which allows access. This uses a key system, something that people utilizing cryptocurrency are familiar with. We also see some features that were added which provide opportunities for others to build in areas such as social media and finance.
Read-Write-Own
This is the essence of Web 3.0.
We are told that Web 2.0 was the "read-write" period. This can be summed up as social media. The first generation of the Internet was mostly static. Webpage designers posted information which people consumed. It was one way communication.
Web 2.0 shifted this to where the users could interact. Information consumption was augmented with the creation of it. It also constructed a new economic model where we saw the emergence of the "prosumer".
Now we have Web 3.0.
As stated in the past, it is my observation that few, even on Hive, made this shift. They have a Web 2.0 mindset. The ownership part appears to trip people up.
Few on Hive take ownership. Of course, once that happens, responsibility is required. This is something that we seem to naturally shun, especially in this era. We live in a world of blame and complain. It happens at every level. Accountability is gone. There is always an excuse.
Hive is no different.
Piece of Land
Imagine if you were someone coming to the United States before it was that. It was a large piece of land that, by showing up, you had the opportunity to own some of it.
Most are aware of the network-state concept that has become associated with Web 3.0.
When using analogy, what is the problem? Naturally, if people are just arriving, we have nothing more than a piece of raw land.
In other words, there is nothing on it. There is a lack of buildings, businesses, and an economy. It is nothing more than mountains, grasslands, and trees.
Here is where the responsibility of the community enters. Someone has to build all this stuff. There is no general store or churches without them being constructed. If that does not happen, you have nothing but raw land.
Hive is a database. There are some nails being driven into wood as data is entering the database. However, when we step back, are there towns forming? Where are the buildings? What services are being offered?
In other words, is anything happening?
Unfortunately, in many ways, this is a rhetorical question. Of course, this brings up the next one: why is that?
The answer lies in the fact the community failed. There is a lot of complaining going on and very little building. Is that a reflection of the people here? That I cannot answer.
What is obvious is the fact we do not have owners. That point is clear?
How so?
Simple. Successful owners do not bitch. When something is not working, they fix it. Do you think Jeff Bezos sat around complaining about a bad quarter for Amazon or did he address the problems? When a division is failing, do successful executives complain about out or do they start taking actions to alter the situation?
The same is true about anything that is owned? Do you complain when the toilet is stopped up? Many do but it fixed nothing. Until action is taken, i.e. the plunger pulled out, the toilet is not going to work. How about a hole in the roof? Do an owners simply complain for years on end? Some might but that comes at great cost.
Ownership = Responsibility
Web 3.0 is going to fail as long as people want handouts. This is the opposite of ownership.
Gimme. Gimme. Gimme.
This is what we see. When people are not given stuff, they complain. They blame others. On Hive, of course, it is the whales fault.
Here is the reality of the situation: you are given an opportunity. What is done with it is up to the individual.
Of course, that is life. When starting a business, is there a guarantee of success? No. There is nothing more than an opportunity to succeed. It will depend upon the skills one brings to the table along with the people he or she surrounds himself with.
It also is a license to work your ass off. There is no paycheck at the end of the week unless a profit turned. It is true an owner cannot get fired but he or she cannot quit either. The only option is the business fails and one has to go in another direction (often finding a job).
How many take this approach with Hive? Again, this is nothing more than a database.
To phrase another way: what business are you building? Are there services you see the market requires that you are constructing? Who are you surrounding yourself with that can aid in this endeavor?
Are people sitting on their bare land, complaining about the mansion or casino that is being constructed down the road?
These analogies might see childish but in a realm where we are dealing with digital real estate, I find them applicable.
What we are seeing on Hive is not a problem exclusive to that. My observation is we are seeing it across Web 3.0.
Owners Not Users
Web 3.0 requires owners, not users. The latter is Web 2.0.
Why do I say this?
Users have no dedication to a platform. They are not builders. Instead, they use the features offered without any responsibility to the platform. If it dies, no loss to them.
There is also no commitment. Their relationship is transactional. As long as they get whatever they seek (enjoyment, information, etc...), they will remain. If that dwindles, they will move elsewhere.
Even when monetized, it is the same thing. What happens when YouTube creators start getting demonetized? They go elsewhere. In this instance, they have part of the mindset since their content is a business.
This does bring up another point. While they have an ownership mindset, it is one of income generation. They have zero thought of equity.
Web 2.0 fosters that since there is no ownership of the platform (unless you happen to have some stock). Even those monetized are ultimately users.
Web 3.0 is completely different. tokenization means there is a stake in either the network or platform (or both). One can have some Ethereum along with stake in one of the applications. Depending upon the service provided, this could contrast what we see within Web 2.0.
If we are building a town in the grasslands, do you want 1,000 people who just stand around complaining about the heat or rain? Or would it better to have 100 people who grab some wood, hammers, and nails to start building?
We talk a lot about building but do so while focusing upon people who are just going to basically stand around, doing the bare minimum. Of course, these are the same people who will jump ship, quickly moving to the next town.
That is what users do. Ironic that Web 3.0 people are seeking out more users.
Ultimately it comes down to what are they going to use. If everyone is living in a tent, where are the 1,000 new people going to stay? Perhaps the hotels and boarding houses should be built first.