Virtual Keys for the People 🪃

Short, practical drops on culture and technology. 🚀

Buzz ⚡️

As the internet evolves new terms are introduced. You hear ‘supply chain’ once and then before you know it we’re all obsessed with the Port of LA and reading Ryan Petersen. 👇

Buzz words make it easy to speak on something complicated at a wine bar but it doesn’t make it any easier to distill into something useful. People like Ryan do though. When you read his tweet threads or long-form, you realize the only thing you need to know about our supply chain woes is “stuff isn’t moving correctly.” You’re welcome. 🤝

Virtual keys 🔑

What Ryan is, is a world-class explainer. At his level, it's rare, and as an entrepreneur/CEO it's incredibly useful. As the pace of change of culture and tech accelerates, I believe the world's great communicators will trade at a premium.

And with that, allow me to take a stab at the evolution of the word 'key' and how it's your new tool for navigating the internet.

Let’s look at 3 interesting places where the word ‘keys’ has come to mean something new. 👇

1. Not your keys, not your coins 💰

For those of you not yet in the bitcoin space, taking custody of a % of your wealth is incredibly empowering. It’s also a lot of responsibility and security is top of mind.

When you get your first software wallet, you need to know how to protect it. In most wallets (Exodus is amazing), you do that by memorizing or protecting your 12-word key phrase (there are some great multi-sig alternatives like our good friends at Casa). Your key phrase is unique to you and only the holder of those keys can access your funds or process transactions.

2. The keys to moving around the internet 📲

I’ve come to see my software wallet as my way of moving safely through the internet and unlocking it’s new and interesting worlds.

My identity is confirmed on whatever blockchain I happen to be using at the time and I can safely transact with peers from anywhere on earth. 🌍

New naming schemes like .ETH on the ethereum blockchain, and .SOL on the Solana blockchain allow you to have a unique identity, specific to that blockchain. Head to any ethereum wallet (rainbow is the best) and search ‘mattgeorge.eth’ if you’re curious. You may not find much. I happen to favour bitcoin as a store-of-value, but you may find an NFT or two that have utility in the real world. 😉

3. Real keys (but digital) 🚗

@TashaARK energized my morning more than a well-made espresso when she wrote this short piece on Tesla. (Disclaimer: I don't own a Tesla so have not used the update. DYOR).👇

To some this won’t seem remarkable or revolutionary, but look at the implications.

Your Tesla app becomes the keys to your vehicle 👉 Sharing your virtual keys allows you to verify other drivers 👉 Verified drivers easily access the vehicle using their virtual keys 👉 We’ve laid the foundation for an automated ride-hailing, car share, or taxi network simply using permission-based virtual keys.

I just said keys a lot. Sorry.

Gratitude 🙏

You’re one of a growing community of more than 120 like-minded readers. We’re really happy you’re here. Who else is fascinated by the intersections of culture, business, and tech? Bring them with you next time! ❤️

See you on the path. 

- MG