When exploring any new frontier, be it geographical, cultural or technological, we are either a tourist, scholar, mercenary or settler.

Tourists are there to be entertained – to experience something novel for a brief time. They will simply pass through and these experiences will become memories.

Scholars are there to learn – to learn all there is to learn about this new frontier. They will spend time here, observe other participants and perhaps even immerse themselves to gain deeper insight. They will then share their learnings with others.

Mercenaries are there to profit – to identify and act upon opportunities to profit. They will immerse themselves insofar as to create wealth for themselves. Rather than reinvesting this wealth into the new economy, they will bring it back to increase standing in their previous home.

Settlers are there to build the future – to create and be part of the evolution this frontier represents. They will immerse themselves naturally as they align their future goals with that of the new community that is formed around this frontier. They embody the positive intent of each of the above however seek to return value to the new frontier and not the old world. Their learnings will be for the betterment of their new community. Their financial gain reinvested into the growth and prosperity of their new economy.

As I consider the new frontiers in front of me today, I must decide what I am to each. The frontier that most excites me today is the advent of Web3 and I see myself as a settler. The values Web3 stands for align to my own and I intend to immerse myself in this new frontier in hopes I can be a positive contributor to its adoption and growth.