In his essay "The Big Here and Long Now", musician Brian Eno reflects on the prevalent short-term thinking he observed in New York in the 1970s. He coined the terms "The Small Here" and "The Short Now" to describe a myopic mindset, where people were consumed by their immediate surroundings and the present moment, with little regard for the broader context or long-term consequences of their actions.
As a value investor, I want to sound the alarm - we need to listen Eno's warning and avoid falling into the trap of "The Short Now". The crypto space is driven by hype, FOMO, and the pursuit of quick profits. Investors jump from one token to the next, chasing the latest pump, while projects prioritize flashy marketing over sustainable development. This short-sighted approach is not only detrimental to individual investors - it undermines the true potential of blockchain technology to create lasting, meaningful change.
Eno writes,
"If we want to contribute to some sort of tenable future, we have to reach a frame of mind where it comes to seem unacceptable - gauche, uncivilised - to act in disregard of our descendants."
As crypto builders and investors, we have a responsibility to consider the long-term implications of our actions. Will the projects we support still be relevant and thriving in 5, 10, or 20 years? For that matter - will they be relevant in 5, 10 or 20 days?
Are we contributing to a future where blockchain technology powers individuals and communities, or are we simply perpetuating a cycle of speculation and greed?
Adopting a "Long Now" perspective means being patient and realistic. Building truly groundbreaking technology or growing a true community takes time, and there will be setbacks and challenges along the way. The temptation to chase after the latest shiny object instead of committing to supporting projects through their ups and downs is anathema to the average crypto speculator; it is dependent on a level of discipline and conviction that is too often lacking in the crypto space, where attention spans are short and loyalty is very fucking fleeting.
"The Long Now" is incompatible with the actual - not stated - values and priorities of true crypto investors. Eno points out that humans have the unique ability to create realities by first imagining them. By picturing a future where crypto plays a positive, transformative role in society, we can begin to shape that reality, looking beyond short-term profits and focusing on creating real, lasting value. Projects that promote financial inclusion, engaged and entertained communities, decentralization, and individual empowerment over those that simply pump and dump on the market.
The allure of get-rich-quick bullshit is a powerful force, and the crypto space is almost synonymous with distractions and temptations. But if we want crypto to fulfill its true potential, we have to resist these short-term impulses and stay focused on the bigger picture - be willing to invest our time, energy, and resources into projects that may not yield immediate returns, but that have the potential to create lasting communities
In the words of Brian Eno,
"We have to reach a frame of mind where it comes to seem unacceptable - gauche, uncivilised - to act in disregard of our descendants."
