FWIW, here is the place where Citizenship was defined in the previous era.
Not sure @MathildaDV plans to keep this up to date or launch a new resource for citizens/new definition for citizens. This post is the latest source of truth on citizens strategy so if you have comments perhaps start there, or reach out to her.
This does not match my conception of where things are headed. My latest response on Gitcoin DAO Topology - #10 by owocki is how I think things are evolving.
Can you say more about what you like about Grants format at Optimism?
I will respond to these comments in one fell swoop.
Reading between the lines, it seems like there is some resentment/pushback towards the way things were vs where they’re headed. I appreciate you being willing to speak up Carlos. Not everyone would take/care the time to do that.
A few takes below. As you read, pls keep in mind I am not trying to convince anyone of anything, none of this is financial advice, just provide my perspective.
Here goes:
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I think that its fair that as things evolve forward, its fair for people to move on with their lives. For some people, that will mean disengaging with Gitcoin. For some itll mean staying active as an alumni. Likewise, as Gitcoin evolves, its it’s perogative to shift the strategy and where it spends money. Both sides can be thoughtful/respectful as these transitions happen.
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I’ve met many of the ppl you’ve tagged and appreciate their contributions to Gitcoin.
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When I hang out with ppl from the 2021-2023 era of Gitcoin, I hear nostalga for how much of a vibe things were those days. Its true, 2021-2023 was a vibe. We created a schelling point for regen web3 and lots of good things came from that. But I also want to share how stressful that time was from the perspective of Gitcoin (which as the founder, I try to think of things from the perspective of the project/brand, from time to time). Gitcoin was spending $1m/mo and not shipping any product that had product market fit. For much of this time it was still using cGrants (a product that me/team painstakingly built from nothing on $50k-$100k/mo the previous cycle). During the same time, we saw the rise of Giveth/Protocol Guild/Optimism and other projects that were doing more funding than Gitcoin (and on 1/10th - 1/100th of the cost!). This was just not sustainable nor desirable imo!
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With the exception a couple ppl who IMO borderline-defrauded Gitcoin, I don’t think the situation in (3) was anyones fault. The DAO coordination model of 2021-2023 did not work for creating something systemically important for the world OR creating longevity for Gitcoin (though I am proud of the contributions made to regen web3 during this time, and many relationships built which will become part of the backbone of many regen web3 impact networks in the future). My biggest regret is that Gitcoin Holdings inc. didnt just leanly build Allo protocol in a centralized way in 2021 + then gift it to the DAO. Hindsight is 20/20.
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It would suffice to say that Gitcoin was in a downward spiral coming out of 2021-2023. We tried the whole “pure decentralization asap” thing and it didnt work, now were back on the path of progressive decentralization and progressive market recovery. IMO the work you’re seeing now is part of significant efforts to create upward spirals in and around Gitcoin. What does this upward spiral look like? IMO its
- Allo protocol adoption
- Gitcoin going multi-mechanism as defined in allobook
- Re-engagement from citizens around the most important value-add levers
- hopefully, one day, financial sustainability
IMO things that are not as important rn (which doesnt mean they are unimportant, it just means they are trailing indicators or secondary in importance to the above imo):
- “lack of participation in the forum, on socials and voting” (these arent unimportant! but they are secondary in importance to the things above.)
- everyone who WAS part of gitcoin in the past wants to be active again (its fine for ppl to move on with their careers/interests. tho one day i would like to see an alumni network/telegram built)
- the vibes (not that vibes are unimportant. but they are a trailing indicator to the things above)
Is any of this going to work? I cant promise the answer is yes. But I think were going to give it a strong try, something we can be proud of.
You can follow along on the progress on the GTC goal tracker…
Sharing a comment I received from a friend who is a prominent DEFI founder during ethcc. Which I think is a small validation of the new mult-mechanism/protocol-first strategy.
It seems like it might be valuable to clear the air with some of the past citizens as the new strategy becomes defined. I also think its important to engage the citizens about the future. Open to doing a twitter spaces, zoom call, or just continuing to go back and forth here. Will follow your lead @carlosjmelgar !