I’ve always been interested in the way art and technology can bring people together. My past as a graphic novel artist and writer showed me the impact visual storytelling can have on connecting with others. I never envisioned how powerful these digital collectibles could be – how they can be the building blocks of vibrant communities.

Allow me to introduce you to the Glitch Garden, a local interactive art collective I found myself in the middle of. They were struggling. Their exhibitions attendance had increasingly been on a downward spiral, they felt so far away in the online space. Then they began issuing POAPs – Proof of Attendance Protocol NFTs – at every event. Suddenly, things changed.

It was never enough to simply have a digital badge. It was about belonging. Anyone who collected the Glitch Garden POAPs knew they were a part of something unique. They were invited to participate in virtual roundtable discussions. They loved exclusive first looks at the new creations and the chance to work directly with the artists. POAPs ignited community engagement. Attendance jumped and the collective quickly built up a colorful and engaged online following.

Are POAPs Just Another Fleeting Trend?

Okay, let's be real. The NFT space is noisy. A lot of it is hype. And the acronyms! It can feel like another exclusive club. But POAPs are different. They’re not about crypto or getting rich quick. They're about showing up.

Think of them as digital merit badges. Remember those? Together, they celebrated triumphs, camaraderie, and community. That’s exactly what POAPs accomplish, but in a digital-first world. In 2021, the global NFT market surged to an incredible $10 billion. The true value isn’t in their collective cost, but rather the magnetism these public assets bring.

Here's the thing that keeps me up at night: What if this new form of community building inadvertently creates new forms of exclusion?

Exclusion Lurks In Digital Utopias?

Not everyone has easy access to technology. Not everyone understands crypto wallets. Let's face it, the environmental impact of blockchains can't be ignored. Are we creating an elite community of the digitally privileged?

I’m concerned about the road to digital hell being paved by good intentions. Regardless of the answer, we should all engage in serious reflection about the environmental consequences of the underlying blockchain technology. POAPs usually select Gnosis Chain (previously xDai) to take advantage of no transaction fee. Yet the environmental impact of blockchain technology is very real.

And what about manipulation? Could POAPs be used to construct sham communities, encouraging disingenuous engagement? Absolutely. We’ve already witnessed how easily this power can be abused by social media “influencers,” and the same vulnerabilities lie here. Now picture a company issuing POAPs for favorable product reviews, independent of any real experience with the product. That trust erodes quickly.

Building Bridges, Not Walls, With POAPs

So, what can we do? So how do we use the magic of POAPs as tools to cultivate these engaged, diverse, and real-world communities?

POAPs aren't a silver bullet. They are not going to conjure the saucer of community building silver bullets. But they do provide a catchy opening to discuss a powerful new tool for developing deep, meaningful connections in an increasingly digital world.

  • Accessibility First: Design POAP experiences with user-friendliness in mind. Make the process of obtaining and using POAPs as simple as possible. Skip the jargon!
  • Beyond Crypto: Think beyond crypto natives. Can we integrate POAPs with existing social platforms or create alternative distribution methods that don't require a crypto wallet?
  • Transparency is Key: Be upfront about the purpose of your POAPs. What are the benefits of collecting them? How will they be used?
  • Community Governance: Involve community members in the design and implementation of POAP programs. Let them help shape the rules and rewards.
  • Consider Alternatives: Explore eco-friendly blockchain options or off-chain solutions for verifying attendance.

The future of community isn’t just being tokenized, it’s being written, one POAP at a time.

POAPs are more than just digital collectibles; they are:

  • Verifiable proof of participation.
  • Unique identifiers of community membership.
  • Potential keys to unlocking new experiences.

The future of community is being written, one POAP at a time.