Sure. Two things up front:
First, usual disclaimer: I speak for me.
Second: it's the internet, so it's important to remember that the "amount of negativity" is always lower than it seems. This is true not just for Skycastle, but any project doing something of substance. It's the Yelp rule: the people who are the first to speak are a vocal minority, which leans negative/cynical/critical, because they think it gains them something (it often does).
There are a LOT (aka the majority) of people rooting for $SKY, and a lot of people who are taking the wait-and-see approach.
As to your original question for what's underlying the criticisms? Three camps, by my estimation.
The first two are understandable and I empathize.
1. Valid, thoughtful critiques. I think of @mjc716's questioning and doubts around the NAV model. Or @jacy (and others!) disappointment in the diversity of partners. These are very valid criticisms and should (and will!) be addressed. While I wouldn't want to speak for them, I'd also say that these folks are rightfully disappointed or skeptical rather than angry that Skycastle exists.
2. The amount of people directly involved with $SKY inevitably leads to in-group vs. out-group dynamics. Had it been just @itsbasil and @garrett, everyone would root for it. Had it been a day-one DEGEN-like airdrop to the entire network, everyone would root for it. But ANYTHING (30, 120, 500 people, etc.) in between leads to folks feeling very human emotions (jealousy, loneliness, exclusion, etc.) and then taking it out publicly. You see this even with larger airdrops that have some exclusionary principle.
I've felt this. It's natural and human: "Why wasn't I invited?" "I can help too!" etc. It's real, and I totally get it.
The reality is that the incubator model is impractical without a team of people helping the projects behind the scenes. And those folks have to be (and should be!) incentivized. Are there other ways for Farcaster to eat? Of course, and those aren't off the table.
So for those who are feeling the very real emotions above, I'd encourage you to feel it, then fight through it!
I won't reveal too much, but I plan on using a small amount of my personal $SKY allocation to reward those who support my work. Others in Skycastle may do the same.
You can't judge a project on day one, or even year one. But the attention economy rewards those that do.
3. People who are extracting attention by claiming that Skycastle is extractive.
It's unhealthy outgroup-ism. They're cabals of one who are the Farcaster-equivalent of the National Enquirer or TMZ, and it works.
They'll continue to get likes and build "community" around claims of Bat-Boys living in caves.
I find it sadly entertaining but I also find it difficult to have sympathy, as they're more extractive than what they claim Skycastle to be. 5 replies
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