Intermission #2: Reflecting and Saying Thanks
Maybe I should do this more often
For my 25th post this week, 7 months after this newsletter began, I want to thank you for the impact you’ve had behind the scenes. I started this newsletter not knowing the incredible ride it’d take me on. Looking back now, I have plenty to appreciate and the first step therein is saying thanks.
By supporting this newsletter, you’ve helped me shift the trajectory my life was on, making me more of a writer than I’ve ever been. So, some moments to reflect, to look ahead, and to give back as well!
Sections
How it Started
How it’s Going
A Look to the Future
A Way to Say Thanks
Closing Thoughts
My Other Writing
How it Started
Though I started this newsletter with very few expectations, I certainly had no idea it would impact me the way that it has. What motivated me at the start was covering emerging EIPs on Ethereum so that people could learn and lend support to the ones they think matter. The trigger was the discussion around staking that happened in December.
Back then, devs were deciding which features would be shipped in Ethereum’s Shanghai upgrade, and staking almost didn’t make the cut! Ethereum devs wanted to prioritize EOF, a feature that makes it easier to upgrade Ethereum, and Optimism and Uniswap were lobbying for Transient Storage, a feature that creates temporary space for data in blocks. Staking only got included because of how loudly everyone stepped up to support it.
That drove home to me the importance of awareness - it literally changed history! Being in a decentralized ecosystem as we are, I realized the importance of active participation and that I could help drive that by tapping into my restless urge to write. And now here we are.
How it’s Going
Back in December, I had very little going for me. I had no income, I had no time, and all I had left was curiosity about blockchain. My life was consumed then by a nonprofit I’d tried to build, called The Dream Conduit, which taught creatives about how to use NFTs. Last month, I shut it down finally accepting the unsuccessful trajectory it was on. It was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever made.
What kept me going was this newsletter, and all of you who’ve supported it. Thankfully, today my main income comes from writing, even though this newsletter is completely free and has no ads, shills, or affiliations. The only reason I say this is to thank you for your hand in making it happen. Had you not signed up or stuck around, I can’t say for certain that it would have.
Simply by acting as a proof of work (pun intended), this newsletter has enabled me to access several opportunities that have changed my life for the better. So once again, thank you. And on the off-chance this motivates anyone to take a similar path, please let me know, I’d love to help. (Seriously, if you do, email me at rw@ramiwrites.com)
Also, a special thanks to Ziad and Sleiman for proofreading and helping keep me motivated. Having friends I can trust makes all the difference.
A Look to the Future
After doing this for over half a year, I’ve recently started exploring other avenues for topics and have found two fun ones so far: blockchain history and sometimes other ecosystems. I plan to vary write-ups along these avenues in the future, hopefully keeping things exciting. I do believe such knowledge is still very valuable to current or future decisions.
I’ve set a goal for myself to write 100 articles this year, on this newsletter and anywhere else. I’ve gotten 41 done so far, and I think I can make it happen! Other than that, I have no idea what the future holds! I don’t know what comes next, but I do know that I’m extremely grateful for the journey so far. I’m certain the future won’t disappoint.
A Way to Say Thanks
So I want to do a little more than just say thanks. I want to do another giveaway! There’s multiple prizes this time. I wanted to welcome new subscribers but also give thanks to those that have supported me so far, so here’s how it’s going down:
Giveaway for NEW subscribers! - Any new subscribers who sign-up to the newsletter will receive 1 entry to win this NFT from 1337 Skulls, an onchain CC0 collection made by one of the most impressive teams I’ve seen.
Must sign-up before July 30th, 2023
Winner will be notified on July 31st via email
Giveaway for OG subscribers! - All existing subscribers have received 1 raffle entry to win this Forgotten Runes Warrior, your entry into a lore-crafting universe with some of the brightest and kindest people in all of web3.
If you signed up before this was published, you’re in!
Winner will be notified this weekend via email
This is just a small way to say thanks. If you’re reading this and could help me spread the word, it’d be another kindness I’d really appreciate.
I also want to do more, and even bigger giveaways in the future. As I do, they’ll follow this model and expand upon it by finding ways to thank those who have supported early. If I succeed, it’ll have been because of you!
Closing Thoughts
So thanks one more time. Whether for the memes, for the knowledge, or just for the giveaways, thank you for signing up to this journey with me. There’s plenty more to dive into within blockchain, and I’m glad to have you along for the ride!
Stay kind. Stay curious.
My Other Writings
Here you’ll find the other articles I’ve written since my last write-up. Check them out for more blockchain write-ups!
More institutions set to join the Ethereum party – Are you in or out? - w/ Cryptonary
Bitcoin has an unfair advantage: Will it become too big to fail?- w/ Cryptonary
Grab your cut of the ETH staking steak: Join Ethereum validators - w/ Cryptonary
Bitcoin’s rollercoaster rally slows down: a dark horse emerges- w/ Cryptonary