I took some time off of Twitter.
Not because I was done with web3, but because I didn’t want my presence to overshadow Memo and the Killabears execution.
Here’s what I learned stepping away — and what I’m building + exploring now 🧵
Silence can be powerful. I was happy to deliver it.
Memo + the forming KB team needed clear air to execute without my shadow in the mix.
Memo taking the reins proves execution > personalities.
From what I can see, the loyal base is happy with the content he's producing and is waiting with excitement for whatever is coming on Solana after the recent wallet collection.
He’s showing his own vision, and leaning into his strengths.
I’m impressed — and think he’ll keep crushing it. I hope the community shows maturity, support and gives him the time to express himself.
He's a generational talent.
Taking a break from CT made me realize:
• How loud the space is, how little substance there is
• How much of it is reaction vs. creation
• Which connections I’ve made here actually matter (in bold because this is the real treasure around here, that is most overlooked.)
Not tweeting every day gave me time to actually think --and what I like most: build.
The adrenaline of web3 fueled me for a while, but it also has a downside. I couldn't watch a show or movie with my kids without refreshing twitter constantly, last night I watched Parent Trap without looking at my phone.
I'm glad I had the time to make the transition with Memo and change gears. I don't think I realized how much I needed to breath some different air.
On NFT Innovation
I tweeted last week that I don’t love the NFT strategy token flywheel meta. But I respect the concept — it’s innovative and net positive for the space.
Experimentation is what moves us forward.
It’s also something I was most proud of during my time leading Killabears, we pioneered staking, OEs, entertainment driven tokenomics and more.
I'm hoping to see more teams try some shit. It's important.
The space is shifting (slowly!) from hype → execution. You can see this more in the DeFi side of things if you are willing to pay attention to real things, instead of shiny things.
• NFTs need utility beyond speculation (ex: veAERO NFTs like $aero — h/t @wagmialexander @jack_anorak )
• Communities must evolve into audiences
What are you building, Ben?
During this break, I’ve been building quietly. Nothing public yet, but here’s where my head’s been:
• Mobile apps → consumer tools with retention baked in
• AI-enabled businesses → where intelligence replaces headcount
• SaaS → still love this model, had a saas biz from 2018-2021 and feel like I have unfinished business.
• E-com → kind of meh.. not my main focus, but I won’t rule it out
The things I’m building might look like web2. But I think the biggest revelation so far is between the ears.
web3 has changed my framework:
• Users as participants, not just customers
• Bottom-up distribution > top-down (in many cases)
• Community trust compounds faster than most things in digital growth.
That lens shapes how I approach every product.
Anyway, you've noticed - I’m back on Twitter.
Memo has a firm grip on Killabears — and I’ve been honored he’s taken me up on the “phone call away” offer many times.
Excited to share what I’m building, and how web3 still drives my thinking.
Much love,
Ben
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