A Metaverse Interview: whatsUP
by Selby | @SelbyFox
Are online friends the same as real-life friends?
Hanging Out In The Metaverse
Let’s ask the whatsUP Crew what it means to build friendships and community in a digital world. I’m here, in the Metaverse, with the six founding members of the whatsUP Twitter Spaces: Cryptochic (Sarah), Alts Anonymous, Criegle (Connor), Mike, Presto and the Way himself, ETHalorian.
Selby: Hey guys, thanks for taking the time to chat, let’s jump right in; so, why are you called the whatsUP Crew?
Presto: 👀 good question! We wanted to make something for LUKSO fans and thought to involve Universal Profiles in the name, since it plays such a huge role! Hence “UP.” A casual question to start a conversation is “whats up,” so we got together and created a live talk show/space to involve anyone and everyone in the LUKSO network 😁
Selby: That makes sense now. Who’s idea was it to start a Twitter Spaces?
Cryptochic: 👋🙋🏼♀️ We were discussing the importance of the community having access to live chats (which we were thinking of hosting) and decided it would be best to start off on Twitter, as a majority of the community already communicates through that platform… and Clubhouse was still exclusive to iPhones, at the time of our decision.
We also liked the way that anyone on Twitter could join the spaces conversation easily even if they weren’t from the LUKSO community, as each of us have our own unique connections that could benefit from hearing some of the content we cover!
Selby: The last Spaces had a theme, featuring prominent guest speakers, is this something you’re going to keep doing?
Alts Anonymous: Yes! Between the 6 of us, with different backgrounds and online personas, we interact with a nice mix of people, and quickly realized these connections can all lead back to LUKSO.
We will definitely still do some open-mic style jam sessions with the amazing LUKSO community, but you can expect more guests moving forward; and super excited about some we have lined up 😎
ETHalorian: We all share one thing in common. WE LOVE TO NERD OUT about crypto. The common thread is the LUKSO network, but I think I speak for everyone when I say that talking shop is the most exciting part of my day.
Alts Anonymous: Especially LUKSO as there is a plethora of ways to geek out on it.
Presto: Especially LUKSO 👾😍
Criegle: There are many things we share in common when we start to consider the entire Metaverse, but yes, especially LUKSO.
Cryptochic: I agree, the limitless possibilities is something that excites me. I could easily and happily discuss this whole ecosystem -even the whitepaper- all day with these guys… which we kinda already do.
Mike: Also, we do like bringing people in for the talks that have interesting perspectives and backgrounds, although sometimes we get a surprise visit from people who weren’t planned guests. We love to have their insight, so we invite them on stage.
Selby: That’s awesome… so, you all are very active on Twitter, putting out content almost daily, and supporting others in the community. It almost seems coordinated, haha! How did you all meet?
Presto: I recall us all meeting each other through the LUKSO chats on Discord/Twitter. Seeing how we all were passionate about Universal Profiles and everything LUKSO, we grew a bond over social media and decided to form a group dedicated to informing individuals about what the LUKSO blockchain really is (rather than let disinformation run wild, which was happening a lot in different chats).
Cryptochic: We all are active members throughout the LUKSO community whether it be on Twitter, Discord or Telegram. We all met through these various platforms and began to notice each other. In the end, sharing the common interest and passion for this project brought us together.
Alts Anonymous: Yeah we were kind of each carrying the torch in our own ways, individually. We recognized each other and started talking more in depth, had so much fun kicking it in VR, on Twitter and in Telegram that we decided to coordinate our efforts to really take it all to another level.
Mike: I believe we all ended up connecting to each other one-by-one. First we were talking through Discord, Telegram and Twitter, then a few of us started playing poker together in VR, and I remember the first thing Sarah said to me was “Thank you for including a pink hat” from an order she made on the community shop, so I made it the main color 😂
Cryptochic: Pink hat club!
ETHalorian: Not everyone has Real Life friends they can talk to about this stuff, meaning the crypto sphere. Our friendship formed here because we share this cool “secret” life together.
Presto: Right!
Selby: Help me understand this: what does it mean to have friends in the Metaverse? Is it as real as real life?
Alts Anonymous: I know my life is moving deeper and deeper into the Metaverse, so what better friends to be on this journey with than the whatsUP Crew 👾
Mike: I believe friendships can always be real no matter where they are created. The social construct that a friend can only be someone who is physically close to you seems outdated to me. I consider all of them my friends, including you Selby, and I believe that is something that will happen more and more as we develop as a society.
ETHalorian: For me, it has been energizing. My Real life would never have provided me the opportunity to meet people like this. We are spread out across the globe. The Metaverse has opened the door to amazing connections that have enriched my life.
Cryptochic: I love this answer, I second that!
Alts Anonymous: I feel more like myself in the Metaverse sometimes; social constructs dissolve, as it’s easier to just be yourself and have fun in this space. And with the inclusive nature the Metaverse community is focused on, I think everyone will feel this way as they plug in. It’s literally uncharted territory, so as trailblazers we get to help shape the future in our own way.
Criegle: The first time I really met anyone here was connecting with Ethalorian through one of the LUKSO Telegram groups. We met up in VR and just talked about LUKSO. It was very exciting to simply talk to someone about LUKSO, let alone in VR.
Shortly after that, both myself and ETH actually met up with you Selby in a VR chat world called Jabba’s Palace. I think that was all of our first times meeting up with anyone in a space like that, and I recall the experience to be quite surreal.
ETHalorian: I remember being so nervous to take that leap, Criegle. I am so happy I did.
Cryptochic: Yes, the crypto community in general has been a very welcoming space, but most especially the LUKSO community. These connections are completely genuine. The conversations you can have with individuals across this space are authentic.
Alts Anonymous: I must say how amazing it is to know all of you, including you, Selby ☺️
Mike: 💯
Cryptochic: Yeah, I agree with everyone here! We truly are like a family — we mention it every so often and we’re thankful to have met each other. Everyone here is a great friend to me! :) I think these connections can last a lifetime.
ETHalorian: What I have found is that in Real Life (or the Meatspace), I don’t think this group would orbit in the same circles. To Alts’ point, age dissolves, class dissolves and, as Mike knows, time dissolves.
Mike: The fact that it’s almost 5am here confirms that, haha!
Cryptochic: Hahaha, poor Mike! Mike is truly dedicated. A European living on an East Coast schedule! We love you Mike 😂 💪💪💪
Mike: ❤️👾🦾
Presto: I believe friends in the Metaverse are just as realistic as real life. When we interact, we are just as passionate about our intentions/goals, regardless if it’s digital vs. physical. I feel there is no difference; if anything I have a closer bond with the whatsUP Crew than my “real life” friends because there are no standards to our beliefs and opinions 😁
Cryptochic: True that 🙌
ETHalorian: There is no pretense in this group. I really feel free to just be me and let the best parts of my person shine.
Alts Anonymous: Every part of you shines 🙌
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ETHalorian: Thanks Alts!
Criegle: I’m so glad we had the opportunity to meet that way. I don’t think it would have happened, otherwise.
I don’t even feel like I need to directly answer the question about friendship in the Metaverse being real. I think our conversation here is evidence it’s very real and thriving.
The barriers of the physical world are being stripped away. Just as crypto and blockchain tech set out to decentralize defi, I think it’s spurred a decentralization and dematerialization of social networks. As Eth said, I agree we wouldn’t have met in traditional social constructs at all.
Selby: So, how do you explain your “online friendships” to your real-life people? Isn’t that an awkward conversation?
ETHalorian: My wife calls them my “imaginary friends.” Lol. I always tell her they are more real to me than people in my actual life. Each of these people, and they include you, Selby, has improved my existence in this world.
Mike: I personally refer to them as friends; same way people start relationships online, so can friendships. We’ll meet in physical form sometime soon, as well. So, the “You never met them” argument, by people with more of a closed mind, will lose all it’s power.
Alts Anonymous: I just refer to them as my friends since I already blur the lines of the online/real world. And for my offline friends who are not into crypto I just tell them I’ll be waiting for them in the Metaverse. Then they are always super confused, but it’s a good mic drop moment to walk away from the convo with 🎤 😂
Cryptochic: In an increasingly digital world I feel like this is becoming really normalized. I don’t find it awkward and it’s quite common to connect digitally first with people now.
We grew up playing online games with people we hadn’t met before, for example. So it’s more native to me I guess! My parents are used to me speaking about it, haha!
Mike: Definitely. Like what Sarah said, I’ve had friendships that last to this day, some even longer than “real friendships” that started off from playing Xbox live with other people, who I later hung out with.
Criegle: I think when I say I have a call, or am meeting with my LUKSO friends in VR, those around me just write that off as ‘oh, that’s just Criegle being Criegle.’ It might seem crazy to them but I have always embraced being the crazy one, unapologetically. I know who I am, and I’m not going to stop exploring new ways to create, I just do my best to share with those in my real life so they can explore the future with me if they want to. Everyone here, and those who participate in whatsUP, are already on board with where the future is going. I love being with them and knowing we are on the same page.
Alts Anonymous: I think for me, I gravitate towards people who are as passionate as I am about all of these things and my core values and I seem to find more of that in the Metaverse, so that’s where I’m happy to set up shop.
Selby: You guys must feel like you’re on the cutting edge, right?
ETHalorian: Yeah man, we have collectively decided to jump into the deep end together and have a pool party.
Mike: Pretty much, haha!
Alts Anonymous: I mean if you really think about it, Ready Player One-type worlds will be the future; it’s just a matter of how do we get there. And I feel crypto is a modern, digital revolution, so it’s really exciting to be a part of it.
ETHalorian: LUKSOasis
Mike: I can already feel Alts dropping some NFT art based on that.
Alts Anonymous: Bro, my mind is racing, seeing that word again.
Mike: 😂😂
ETHalorian: This is the present. It’s here now. The problem is that so many people live in the past.
Cryptochic: Haha yes, what Eth said. The future is here.
Criegle: 😂 This is absolutely the future. AR and VR are going to be as commonplace as smartphones within the next several years or so, and everyone will wake up wondering how they didn’t see it coming or didn’t take it seriously.
Selby: From the outside, the Metaverse seems so impersonal when everyone is psuedonymous. Is that the case?
ETHalorian: The Metaverse will be Self Sovereign in both economy and identity. I can choose who I want to share various parts of my life with and there is nothing strange about that. I like that about the Metaverse. It’s not weird to be selectively private.
Mike: I believe it will be a space where people can be their true selves; anything they always wished to express, but felt too embarrassed to share in the real world. They will be able to share it in the Metaverse, and perhaps find deeper connections with other people who identify the same way with them. Whereas, in the physical world that would be harder to accomplish because people put on this mask to face society, where it’s harder to identify what their tastes are.
Alts Anonymous: I think the Metaverse is much more customizable than offline; you can have unlimited options and less barriers to express whatever represents your values the most, if you choose to.
ETHalorian: This group is just an extension of the community, and as friends we have decided to add value to the community in a manner that suits our friendship.
Criegle: I think the Metaverse will be personal for anyone that wants it to be personal. Our personalities though, are absolutely personal whether we are public or anonymous. And at the end of the day, our reality is whatever we create it to be. So if we are the same in real life, or someone different in the Metaverse, what difference does it make? We are still real friends, with real people and personalities behind our avatars. Unless someone is secretly an AI, haha!
Selby: Okay, so your Twitter Spaces chats have been a great success… where is the whatsUP Crew planning to go from here?
Cryptochic: Interesting question, Selby! We discuss this a lot. There’s a lot of passion, knowledge and creativity in our group. We have definitely talked about some fascinating projects, outside of Twitter Spaces.
ETHalorian: Twitter Spaces has been a great first step, as we embark on this journey. We want to evangelize Universal Profiles and the LUKSO ecosystem, while providing an opportunity for like-minded individuals to build their own relationships within the Metaverse.
The spirit of the open community jam session will always be there.
I think the community should be on the lookout for some recorded/on-demand content and maybe even…. 👀
…we are having fun and that’s the goal. Keep doing things that are fun.
Criegle: Ultimately, with the creativity of our group, we are exploring some exciting new mediums within the broad spectrum of the Metaverse, for future projects. There really is a sea of infinite possibilities for what we do next.
Alts Anonymous: I’m excited to start pushing the boundaries of the Metaverse further 👾
Selby: Well, you’re quite the crew of personalities… Last question: do you identify more with the Goonies or Marvel Super-heroes?
Mike: I think both, haha!
ETHalorian: I will always be a Goonie.
Alts Anonymous: Goonies for the win 🥇
Cryptochic: Yeah I’d say we honestly have our Goonies moments, and we also have our Marvel moments 😅 but all in all, we’re a great team.
Mike: I think we’re Goonies most of the time, but have some people who definitely could be super heroes.
Criegle: I’ve always wanted to build my own working iron man suit, and I feel like we can do that as a team.
Alts Anonymous: I do feel that we embody the exploratory nature of the Goonies… it’s all an adventure 🤘
Selby: Thanks for taking the time everyone. I’m truly grateful to grow with everyone, and explore the Metaverse together!
This interview brought to you by Selby-in-Disco-Mode… Follow all these wonderful personalities on Twitter to stay updated on when the next whatsUP Twitter Spaces will be!
@CADcrypto @LuksoBull @ETHalorain @LuksoMike @Criegle_
BIG shout-out to @Alts_Anonymous! Talented and generous! Thanks for the incredible images, my friend!
Cheers!
