As someone who’s been in the crypto space for years, I’ve had my foot in all sorts of markets—from DeFi to NFTs. Growing up as a DJ music producer and having the art and technology collide is what really interests me. In recent months, I’ve been thinking more than usual about how identity works in the digital age.

Imagine my astonishment when I opened up the most recent copy of Coastal Voices, School District 46’s annual literary anthology. As I completed the students’ poems and reflected on them, I realized how much they related to the complicated tapestry of blockchain. Seemingly disparate, Coastal Voices and crypto actually speak to the same core human need: the need to define ourselves and connect with others.

Vulnerability Mirrors Blockchain's Transparency?

The anthology is imbued with the themes of vulnerability, and identity, and of being cast out. These aren't just abstract concepts; they're raw, honest explorations of what it means to be human, written by young people navigating a world that's increasingly complex. Now, think about blockchain. One of its defining features is transparency. Each exchange goes into an open ledger that can be accessed by anyone in real time. Scary, right? Yet, at the same time, isn’t there something very vulnerable in that transparency?

Consider this: in a world saturated with filtered images and carefully curated online personas, the raw honesty of Coastal Voices is refreshing. In much the same way, the unchangeable blockchain – think of it as a digital public ledger – provides a level of transparency that flips the paradigm on its head. Can this vulnerability be a strength? Absolutely. In either case, it builds goodwill and credibility.

NFTs: Digital Identity, Redefined?

The anthology is graced with stunning cover art of a hyperreal eye with cerulean starburst iris. Eyes are the windows to the soul. What if you could not only tell the story of who you are with words and pictures, but with distinctive digital assets as well—like for example, NFTs. This is where NFTs come in.

NFTs aren't just about digital collectibles. They're about ownership, provenance, and self-expression. Think about it: an artist can tokenize their work, creating a unique digital representation that can be traded and collected. This gives artists more control and judgement over their work. More importantly, it allows them to promote themselves directly to their audiences, avoiding the once-mighty gatekeepers altogether.

Beyond this, NFTs provide an exciting digital frontier to create and cultivate our digital personas. Suddenly your NFT collection is a showcase of your style, your principles, your engagement in all these different communities and spaces. It’s essentially your online resume of what you can do.

I've seen it firsthand. As a DJ, I’ve been there as musicians have used NFTs to drop exclusive tracks. In the process, they’re providing more valuable, one-of-a-kind experiences and deepening connections with their fans. Sure, it’s an opportunity to make a dollar — but it’s an opportunity to reclaim and create control, to create new relationships in this new decentralized world.

DAOs: Communities Built On Shared Identity?

The anthology is a poignant reminder of how community and local landmarks beyond the classroom help shape students’ identities. This is quite literally at the heart of the ethos behind DAOs (or Decentralized Autonomous Organizations). Here’s the short version DAOs, or decentralized autonomous organizations, are online communities that are managed through code. Members stake their tokens to vote on proposals and fund projects that benefit them as a group, enforcing decisions collectively.

What’s particularly interesting is how DAOs are creating entirely new kinds of identity. DAOs attract people who align around common interests, values, and goals. In return, they receive that sense of belonging and purpose that comes from being needed, which is what these megadonors are seeking to find. It’s pretty much exactly like a digital town square, with governance and transparency baked into the experience.

This is where the Coastal Voices anthology truly resonates. It’s not just about the ride, it’s about the connection, about sharing your story, about finding your place in your world. DAOs present that same opportunity to people online. They allow us to build communities based on shared identity, fostering a sense of belonging and empowering us to shape the future together.

The Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts is to be commended for its commitment to nurturing young writers. School District 46 has a vital part in elevating these new voices. That submissions have almost tripled in size since 2011 is a testament to this continuing growing desire for self-expression and connection.

At its core, the Coastal Voices anthology is about human connection. It’s not just personal, it’s professional. It’s about courage, vulnerability, and the power of storytelling. To some, that might make the budding crypto economy sound like a different universe, completely disconnected from the real world. I really do think these two worlds are meeting in this moment. They both provide exciting, liberating alternatives in how we find and express identity, community, and a more genuine, democratized world. Next time you hear someone downplaying crypto as everything but a speculative bubble, don’t let them forget the human side. The real desire for connection is what’s powering this movement. Perhaps, just perhaps, future-proof them by giving them a copy of Coastal Voices. If so, they’ll be shocked by what awaits them.