Commlink #45
Weekly Review
This week at Community DAO the theme was “Game On!” and it certainly was! We seem to be taking off into the new year rather well. We have reached a point where more delegation is necessary to handle the increasing volume of designs flowing into our database. Fortunately, new people are rising to the occasion.
A variety of fantastic AI art series are evolving from the imaginations of team members almost faster than we can track. Some really high caliber work in the organization’s output! And the positive nature of competition is showing itself as that “love of the game” as players all try to outdo one another and be the best. It’s a good space to be in right now, though I am always trying to catch up to the work at hand.
Check our new curator, Evilra’s incredible job in indexing all entries: https://docs.google.com/document/d/11FDiC7cq_dwblt1WwAqx7V97HlOG_ohpnLfGOVJerWo/edit
In addition, Evilra is developing a more detailed version in a full Google spreadsheet. Make sure to check the tabs at the bottom for a quick reference glimpse of each contributor’s work: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nNyYngaYQKLiwVvt2JVE71BjkqWV3DiOEqGeyp5ItTk/edit#gid=0
Why is this working? The reason is because we are selling NFTs to a dedicated and growing circle of collectors, who are curious and interested in these designers from Nigeria. This is a unique interface where cultures are able to interact. And by connecting artists and collectors directly, enrichment occurs.
But this is also the fruit of outreach efforts into the larger Ravencoin community. We actively seek and develop genuine friendships on this blockchain. Artists are helping artists find collectors and develop new collaborations and relationships. This is positive community building.
And just the knowledge of “things selling” amongst our team members seems to have lit a fire under the organization. Coupled with a type of glam that goes with “minting nfts,” I have to say that of the several businesses I have started in my life, this one has that feeling of an egg about to hatch, signaling a winning combination. I am psyched to be working for Community DAO.
In addition to these continued developments, we have begun to actively develop governance on 2 new fronts. With our Twitter account, I started running a series of daily polls covering a wide array of topics. I’d like to encourage more of this type of interactive dialogue in the spirit of DAOs, which are or should be aiming towards an automated system. The only way to really do that is to be testing, polling, and actively soliciting opinions, building a form of consensus. The wider the public sphere, the better. The scope of the organization is planet Earth, so, why not? Here are a few of our new “C0MMpolls”:
Things start slow but we’ll keep working on developing that larger public conversation so that Community DAO can become a type of springboard for gauging opinion.
On an internal level, we inducted a new member into the Order of the Black Apes, which is an internal group in the Marketing sphere of C0MM/DAO that grows through election. Welcome, KDS! We have adopted a unique nft series as a type of banner avatar ID, by the artist MRP, called the Black Apes:
https://www.ravenist.com/collections/black-apes
Each new member is awarded a Black Ape NFT and a WHITEBALL for voting.
This order will add new members as frequently as candidates are brought up for review. By doing this we encourage involvement in the matters and affairs affecting the DAO by creating an internal forum for discussion and for testing out new ideas regarding voting practices. Members are encouraged to express their views openly and forthrightly and to use the power of voting by choosing new members.
Eventually, we will begin practicing voting on other things as well. And additionally, we will be testing votes by sending Whiteball assets to various address to register votes on the blockchain. This group will be an excellent way to develop wholesome voting measures.
There is so much more to talk about as always, but I will leave it there. Let the rest of the Community speak!
Best,
Dow
Stats
Twitter Followers: 1,361
Discord Members: 475
New Year's Eve - A Night To Remember
New Year's Eve this year was a lot of fun! I relished having my complete family over to our home. My tiny nieces and cousins were running around playing games and having a great time as we sipped drinks, munched on goodies, and chatted with one another. We hosted a small gathering, and I was in charge of making sure everyone had what they needed to enjoy themselves. Sleep was all I could think of until dawn.
We all attended our family church in the hamlet prior to the small gathering that we held. I enjoyed watching my nieces, cousins, and Uncle Anametti dance for the first time that evening. Everyone was quite excited, but I was most anxious to go home for our house event, so I kept an eye on the time. As soon as the pastor began counting from one to twenty-three, signaling the beginning of the year 2023, I blew my whistle. We all gave each other and the other church members great hugs when the clock hit midnight. We did even more when we got home, including a champagne toast. The brilliant lights that surrounded our living space added to its appeal to us. After listening to some cool music, having excellent discussions, and experiencing everyone's contagious laughter and embraces during this unique time of the year, I knew it would be a night to remember for years to come.
My Holiday Experience
My entire holiday was fun. I traveled from place to place and visited my siblings in different parts of the country. I went to the United States of America to see my Uncle. While there, I saw different places, ate different meals, and held a dollar note for the first time. My uncle took me to the ferry near the waterway. I entered a ferry for the first time. I also plaited my head. It was fun and enjoyable. I went to a barber salon where I colored my hair for $50.
I not only visited the United States, but I also went to Dubai. I celebrated my Christmas there. I ate a special meal in Dubai. I forgot the name of it because it sounded strange. Dubai was an amazing place, but I will be going back to my country, i.e., Nigeria, very soon. I miss my country a lot.
The Reconciliation
The belief of fights bringing friends closer and quarrels being an opportunity to know a person more was something I didn't even believe in, not until my clique of friends had a massive fallout amongst each other. My absence in the whole scenario automatically made me a judge in the case, as the other five all brought their grievances to my table. I looked forward to meeting them all together during the holidays as they all shared different views during our phone call discussions.
As I traveled home, I immediately alerted them of my arrival, and we all agreed to meet. It turned out that Judy didn't trust Rebecca; in her words, "she lived a holier than thou life" whilst she had a boyfriend, and her parents weren't aware of it. Judy tagged Becky as a pretender and went on to share her thoughts with Blessing in a chat, which resulted in both parties pouring out their minds whilst, unfortunately, Mercy bummed into and went on to share what her two other friends spoke about Becky. This happened to be the root of the entire issue. Subsequent actions that followed were a result of Becky feeling betrayed by two of her friends while the other two took Mercy as a snitch. The squad separated, forming duos against each other.
As I listened to all parties share a version of their issues, I thought hard about how I would settle everyone without offending another or even taking sides. I ordered drinks and snacks and discussed my issues in school with them. This was to take their minds off the issue first of all. In a little while, we were having a premium conversation with everyone sharing their views and thoughts about the situation, although I could still feel the tension that existed. I went further to introduce them to the Hive blockchain platform. The eagerness to learn and understand what I was sharing made each of them bond and speak to each other. I tried so hard to maintain the mood as I needed my friends back together.
Toward the end of our outing, I shared my views based on the happenings. Becky should have confronted Judy and Blessing amicably, knowing they were friends as their intentions weren't so bad. Judy and Blessing should have also spoken to Becky about what they didn't like about her, and Mercy shouldn't be sharing such information knowing the effects of the disclosure of such information. I had them apologize to each other and hug as well.
I was pleased my squad was back together. I missed them whilst I learned from the issues about each and everyone's temperament and reaction to circumstances. We spent more time together as everyone at the table took turns paying for the various servings of drinks we ordered. Discussions kept rolling as everyone had their faces lighted, definitely having a good time and fun. Nothing sits better than being at peace with friends and everyone around you.
We planned out outfits for church service and also made plans to have some more outings. Cheers to a friendship so genuine and true.
What I Call Hometown
Hometown is a place where someone was born. It's where one comes from. It is the origin of the person in question, and such a special place has a lot of influence on the indigenes through certain means, which encompass manners, peer groups, dresses, language, food, festivals, climatic changes, farming activities, education, type of worship (religion), among others.
To the one living afar or near the hometown, he or she will always have some memories learned at home that can never be forgotten as they have a lot to do in their ways of living (behavior).
Personally, I was born in my village, and my memories are grouped as follows:
Peer Group's Memories
Home Memories
Cultural Memories
Peer Groups Memories
Life in your hometown would be unimpressive if you didn't have people around you to share ideas with, play with, and grow up with. These people make living in hometown stress-free as everything will basically lead to happiness. Although we may fight due to individual differences, as soon as we realize that we can find common ground, we quickly unite.
Furthermore, my peer group affects my life so much that up till today, I can not stay a month without chatting with my hometown friends through Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
One of them is Mr. Isaac Monarch, whom I still call "IsaMo." He was a good friend of mine and shared many of my dreams. We fought nearly once a month, but some people were surprised when we got back together right after our fights.
Having IsaMo as a friend is pretty cool even today. He often told me when we were young that he would be a pilot, and we laughed at him, saying he would grow up to be a gatekeeper. He replied that we would all work for him as security men—that I would be the head of them all if I agreed to clean his shoes for a year. I assured him that I would be my Gatekeeper at all costs.
We always fought with each other when I told him that he would be poor while I would be rich. This statement would not just provoke a fight between IsaMo and me, but all my friends who heard me saying it would be angry with me as well.
All my classmates were also my friends, and their companionship helped me to be more studious because we often gathered to read and study for tests and exams. We did ask questions that we always saw in our terminal and promotional examinations, but at last, I was the best because there were some facts I didn't share with my classmates.
Today, IsaMo is a Pilot, having fulfilled his childhood vision.
Home Memories
My home, where my parents and siblings lived, is another place to talk about. The vibes from my home were tremendous, which I still can't forget. My mother, who loved me so much, always made my day. She would tell me stories that would always end with some piece of advice which I always enjoy a lot. She always put emphasis on the biblical 'Prodigal Son' who lived a wasteful lifestyle and lavished all his wealth on women. My mother would advise that I should love a lady who 'plans with me' and not the one that 'plans to spend.'
My siblings were another set of people that always made me happy. They helped me wash my clothes, tidy up my room, and make the bed. My youngest sister would always come and lean on me to play her movies on my laptop, but if there was no power in the system, she would cry out all the tears from her eyes. I would try as much as possible to charge the laptop so that Lasty could watch movies.
All my siblings never let me rest. They always disturbed me with assignments and homework. I couldn't solve a Quantitative Reasoning problem, so I went online to find the answer. When my siblings found out, they said I wasn't as smart as I used to be. Then my youngest sibling said, "Chatting with my friends on social media doesn't make me brilliant again." Although I was angry, I couldn't do anything because my mom loves me so much, and she loves my younger sister most of all.
I rarely get angry with her because she was not an insulting type.
I cherish my memories of home because there's no place like home (Home sweet home). I love my siblings so much. Even though they are now mature, and my kid sister is a final year student at the University of Uyo.
Cultural Memories
These memories have to do with our way of living.
I learned so many things and habits from the people in my village that make me a more well-rounded and cultured person. Our culture prohibits stealing, killing, and insulting the elderly. It requires obeying constituted authorities.
My Memories from my Hometown are memories that I will never forget because they help me be a better person in life, no matter the situation. They inspired me, and they keep inspiring me every day.
Peer group memories help me study, so I can't forget them. They also reinforce how what you say can come true if you work toward it, just as Mr. Isaac Monarch. IsaMo is a pilot today, just as he said he would be when we were young.
My memories with my family members were great, especially my 'Lasty's disturbances.'
My cultural memories include the food I ate like 'African salad'. the clothes we wear, and my most noted one is the Yam Festival, where the wicked people confessed and were banished from the village.
3 Memories of the Future
Memories are a vital component of our bodies. They shape our personalities as all our knowledge and experiences are stored there. We all have memories, both good and bad.
A memory of the future is the ability to use memory to picture and plan future events. It is a subcategory of mental time travel which Suddendorf and Collins described to be the process that allows people to imagine both the past and potential future events. Just like everyone else, I have a memory that my future is bright, but there are some other unique memories of the future.
I became an astounding professor of mathematics at forty. It was not an easy task, nor was it rocket science. It was a product of extensive studies and voracious reading. We were just ten in the whole faculty nominated for this prestigious honor. I had always thought I was the underdog; I had little or no chance against Doctor Felix, the man that gave impeccable proof to Fermat's last theorem. That was mind-boggling! I completed my doctoral degree at thirty and knew I had a future in the abode of mathematics. I won many awards from the faculty I represented, and I was thrilled. I always knew that I was going to be called "Prof.'' However, this dream was threatened by my brilliant colleagues. I was the favorite to become a doctor, but realistically speaking, I had a 50-50 chance of clenching my dreams. Luckily, perhaps as a result of fate, I was shortlisted amongst the five favorite men.
February 2, 2040. I was sitting among hundreds of doctors like me, all waiting for our names to be read aloud by the award presenter. Out of five of us in my faculty, only two would get this honorable award. The day went by quickly. Time speeds up when we are drowned in expectations that depend on time.
At about 1 o'clock in the afternoon, our faculty was next. "Akpabio Joseph,'' a name was read out. My heart skipped, and my mind went blank for several seconds. We all clapped for our fellow doctor for clinching the honor as a new professor in our faculty. I began to shrink back into my skin, as though I was attacked by anxiety and goosebumps. My chances of being a professor became slimmer than I'd ever imagined. I had one in four chances; that was discouraging. A few moments after the congratulatory hugs and shakes directed toward my colleague, we again sat poised, awaiting the next bombshell.
"The next on the list is... all loving and cheerful Doctor... Bassy!" I had not misheard, but I paused for a moment to reflect on this moment. I sank stiffly in my seat until I was tapped by my colleagues. Just then, I realized that tears had formed in narrow streams down my cheek. It was glorious! I later dedicated my conferred honor to my wonderful wife and kids.
I used to have phobias about many things. Marriage was the scariest. Meeting my wife just before I finished my doctoral degree in 2030 helped me change my erroneous perceptions about forming relationships. It was totally involuntary. I felt like a lost sheep in the hands of its shepherd. It all started at the University of Uyo. She was the model for what a beautiful and likable person is. She was adoring, quintessential, resplendent, and above all, smart.
We were drawn to each other's uncommon yearning for knowledge. She was always bright, lively, and energetic. Unlike me, I was totally awkward. Our relationship started four years before 2030. Thus far, it was heavenly. I began to see several futures with her: making good-looking babies and spending our limited lifetime together in happiness and joy. If I was terrified of anything, it was the fear of losing her to anything or anyone. It crippled my heart each time I imagined a life without her.
Our wedding was top-notch and classy. I was on the altar when I first saw her in a sparkling white veil. She walked like a princess. She smiled at me in an infectious way. At that moment, I realized I was the luckiest man alive.
We did the necessary rites, pronounced our vows, and kissed after we both declared, "I do. For better or worse, till death do us part." It was a memorable day. We went ahead to seal the union by wedding traditionally. It was a cultural, majestic occasion full of joy. I suck at dancing, but somehow, my dear wife convinced me to dance to cultural music. We danced as though the world was all ours, as though that very day would never end. It was a scintillating memory!
The best of all are the memories of my wonderful kids. I have two wonderful daughters, and I would say, without mincing words, that they are my pride and the major reason I strive to crush limits. I worked hard to give them both lives I never had. It was a dream come true! On top of it, they are both as smart as their mother, if not smarter at their age.
They can be troublesome, though. Fatherhood isn’t as glamorous as it seems. It is full of endless responsibilities, but that is the true joy of it. I get to spend quality time with my family. I work to put food on the table and shower them with unconditional love. Sometimes, I have to pinch my swarthy skin to check if I'm in a trance, or a dream, or maybe I'm hallucinating. But I’m not, my life is more realistic than my imagination. My wife is a certified data analyst. She strives hard too to make ends meet. She's a wonderful mother. A mother every child would wish to have.
The memories of the holidays, the family time together with my wife and the kids, and the lovely bond that existed can't be overlooked. Fatherhood has helped me appreciate the sacrifices my parents made to help me get where I am today. It made me understand fully what my father meant by, "After a man is grown, he would see what his fellow man saw." Yes. He wasn't entirely wrong after all. I saw vividly what being a father meant: sacrifice, giving undivided attention, love, and being a role model. Not only does it mean to provide for the immediate family, but it extends to the extended families too. However, it’s not too bothersome as I’ve already achieved my dreams as a professor.
The memories keep lingering, and I feel so excited about them that I cannot wait for them to come to reality. It's a good thing to dream big while we hope for our miracles to happen.
Ambassador Report
From the Marketing team, we've been able to add three members to the Order Of The Black Apes in our Discord server. They will continue to make suggestions, adopt good control measures and serve in making decisions for the good of our dear CommDAO. Last week, we accepted over 300 unique designs (from week 44) from the marketing team, out of which 19 will be minted into NFTs, included in the CommDAO's corral, and sold at the Ravenist NFT marketplace. Below is the Leaderboard for week 45.