Part 8/14:
Ryan expresses skepticism about Web3’s hype—criticizing how the narrative has been co-opted by venture capital (e.g., Andreessen Horowitz, "a16z") to serve specific investment interests. He sees Web3 as a broader concept involving decentralization, data ownership, and privacy, rather than a world of tokens and speculative NFTs.
He advocates for Web3 as a decentralized internet, emphasizing ownership and control of data—with NFTs seen as building blocks for digital identity, reputation, and credentials. Ryan worries that NFTs currently function mainly as speculative objects but could evolve into meaningful tools—e.g., digital diplomas, medical records, or professional badges—if infrastructure is correctly implemented.