Web3 is the answer

If you have read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, you no doubt recall the fictional heroes’ haven, the golden Atlantis hideaway nicknamed “Galt’s Gulch.” The fictional hidden valley community is home to the great minds of the world while they strike against the looters by first dismantling, and then abandoning the empires they have painstakingly built and removing themselves from society.

Atlas, the titan who holds the world on his back, has effectively “shrugged.”

Under the often unnecessary urging of John Galt (the character for whom the valley is named), the innovators extract their wealth and leave their businesses and assets (at least in the case of Ellis Wyatt, oil magnate), as they originally found them for the looters to “take over”. The leverage the defectors have, and the beauty of their tactic, is that, of course, those that remain cannot do so.

In the absence of the “men of the mind,” the talented entrepreneurs of the world, there remain those willing only to take orders and those who want power in exchange for nothing. With no one to shoulder the responsibility of making decisions, the motor of the world grinds to a devastating halt. The absent creators and builders don’t need to fight because the world crumbles without them.

I won’t go into detail here about how I see this scenario reflected in the world today, but I don’t think Rand came to her plot by imagination alone. I have spent years rereading the novel wondering how the same problems might be solved in the absence of a secret getaway that is not within reach for someone like myself. Recently though, a solution presented itself.

I was going through a transition period when I came to crypto. It was a time when I knew that taking risks was the only route with the potential to facilitate the changes that my life and happiness required. The concept of radical responsibility linked to decentralized finance immediately captured my attention. I found a community quickly and began to explore. I learned a lot and became immersed in a world that actually made sense. The potential was obvious.

Web3 is the “Galt’s Gulch” we have been waiting for. Crypto puts the power back into the hands of those who wish to build and have the capability and drive to do so. A trustless virtual landscape allows those willing to take personal responsibility to thrive.

Because of Web3, I know that I have found the place where I will be spending my time and energy. The best part is, I don’t even have to pack my bags.