Since the inception of the internet, there have been many evolutions in the development of the structure of how the internet works. First, from the 1980s to the early 2000s, the first iteration of the internet was built on open-sourced protocols that were controlled and designed by the internet community. This means that anyone on the internet could access these protocols for free, perhaps evoking a reminiscent vision of the early, open internet that is contrasted by the paid-for-service of, say, AOL. The drawback of this model was the limitation of the functions of the internet. During the second iteration of the internet, the period from the mid-2000s to recent years, the model of for-profit massive tech companies, such as Google, Apple, Amazon, and Facebook, emerged. These companies vastly expanded the capabilities of the internet over the last 2 decades, but since the vast majority of platforms are controlled by a select few companies, even when a user accesses through a smartphone, entrepreneurs and creators find themselves at the mercy of these massive companies, stifling progress and innovation in order to feed the profit-maximizing tech giants.
The software of the internet can and likely will be rewritten multiple times over the next few decades as global integration and digitalization progress. The intersection of these two models is the idea of Web3, delivering the advanced capabilities of centralized sourcing as well as the creativity, decentralization, and opportunity present in community-run models, and crypto networks could potentially serve as the medium that combines the two. Crypto networks such as Ethereum are an enabler of this Web3 vision as it empowers secure, decentralized ownership in the form of smart contracts.
This model of the internet redefines users and builders of the internet simultaneously as owners of the internet. This model is already redefining the operations of digital networks worldwide, and many companies are looking at it as a way to explore new possibilities.
One such company, Seba Ceramics, embodies this creative niche, operating through the sale and distribution of NFTs coded on Ethereum. The company creates digitalized NFTs of ceramics made by monthly featured artists that users can purchase, making them the owner of an artwork that actually exists. Further, they are entered into a lottery pool of buyers to receive the actual physical work of art, and in addition to this ownership, all owners receive access to perks like art workshops, speaker series, and social events with other buyers.
The importance of dealing and operating through NFTs cannot be understated: they combine the creative and innovative portion of the “first” internet model with the efficiency and potential of the “second.” Thus, a company with a model like Seba Ceramics is set to last and ride this transformation of the internet in the same way Amazon used centralization to scale retail for maximum profit. Beyond the intrinsic value of NFTs, which are still a fringe topic for the masses, Seba Ceramics combines the physicality of ownership with digitalization, giving many people a tangible concept of reward for something that is written in the language of computers.
Just as thousands will line up to see the Mona Lisa, millions will compete to own the finite amount of NFTs of a similarly valued object – it is another form of art. Seba Ceramics is helping to push this new reality while empowering both artists and buyers and is building with a Web3 future in mind.
How does this tie into the third evolving phase of the internet? Crypto networks, which capture creativity and efficiency while remaining accessible to everyone, power the creation of the business model that Seba Ceramics is championing on the front edge of innovation.
Martin Wilson has been following the crypto space since 2013. He is a passionate advocate for blockchain technology, and believes that it will have a profound impact on how people live their lives. In addition to being an avid blogger, Martin also enjoys writing about developments in the industry as well as providing useful guides to help those who are new to this exciting frontier of finance and technology.
