LEGO or how to play well.
In a world of Web3 and the Internet at large, we've been tossing around terms like interoperability and composability, often likening them to LEGO. We talk about compute LEGOs, money LEGOs - a whole spectrum of LEGOs. But, here's a fun fact: it's not even "LEGOs"; it's just "LEGO." So why this obsession with LEGO, well I love LEGO and simply we've been looking at LEGO all wrong, through the lens of play, not design.
So, what's LEGO really about? This iconic Danish brand, born in the last hundred years, wasn't just about creating plastic bricks because wood was expensive post-war. The real magic, the big innovation, was in those three tubes inside the standard 2 by 4 brick.
Why? They gave the bricks clutch power, not just allowing them to stack but to connect and hold firmly. So take this as our first takeaway: true innovation in LEGO wasn't the brick itself, but how it connected with others, creating something more substantial.
LEGO isn't just a pile of bricks; it's a meticulously designed system. Take a note here. From the classic LEGO system to Technic and Duplo, they all interlock like fractals, each with its own rules and limitations. This system approach is integral. LEGO's mantra, "only the best is good enough," speaks volumes here. Composability matters, sure, but quality and fit are paramount. So what are in our digital designs, our 'three tubes'? What rules and boundaries do we set to ensure quality and integrity that enable creativity through composability and interoperability?
LEGO's journey has had its share of missteps. Enter the early 2000s: LEGO introduced an array of single-purpose bricks that, while easier for quick builds, stifled creativity and by default turned LEGO mostly into decoration. Not cool for creativity and boring to build, it’s kind of the LEGO dark age so TLDR: versatility and simplicity often trump single-purpose design.
Learning LEGO is a two-pronged path: freestyle creativity and following instructions. Many of us started with the latter, learning the bricks' potential through guided steps, much like good developer documents in the digital world, think about the Stripe documentation here for a moment. It's a part of the process we often overlook in Web3, where there is little emphasis on free play and almost no sign of structured learning. This element of guided discovery is key to understanding and applying LEGO principles in digital contexts.
In recent years, LEGO has leaned heavily into narrative-driven sets - think Harry Potter, Star Wars, Marvel. While narratives capture imagination, they also risk limiting the urge to disassemble and repurpose. This is a delicate balance we need to strike in our digital LEGO creations. Too much narrative and people might not even see the potential of breaking your product apart.
One of the beating hearts of the LEGO narrative is its vibrant community - the AFOLs (Adult Fans of LEGO). This isn't just a group of enthusiasts; it's a thriving hub of innovation and creative exchange. Seeing how others use LEGO bricks in novel, unexpected ways. It's this sharing of inventive uses that propels the community forward, inspiring members to think outside the box and explore new LEGO frontiers.
We often misinterpret LEGO's essence. It's not just about playing with bricks; it's about how they stick together, a systematic approach to design, the shift from single-purpose elements to versatility, and the power of structured learning. LEGO is a lesson in creative thinking and designing for a world beyond mere play.
When we talk about digital LEGOs, whether they're compute, money, or anything else, it's time for a paradigm shift. We should start thinking like LEGO brick designers. Delving deep into the system, understanding the rules, uncovering creative opportunities, and guiding others on this exploratory journey. It's about designing not just for usability but for inspiring innovation and further creation.
In Danish LEGO comes from "leg godt" or play well. Most of us that talk about LEGO missed that memo. Don’t be like them.
