NFT
VESA Podcast Ep.I – David Orban
Today we’re taking a look at an important first. It is the start of the VESA Podcast, and as the first guest, we meet David Orban, who was generous with his time to record this conversation. A previous iteration of a podcast was already started in 2017, with some notable guests like Charlie Lee, but now the time was right for a rebrand and a jump up to speed on connecting with people in the scene.
It was also a blessing in disguise that the zoom recording of this podcast was recorded on zoom, and VESA erroneously remembered that the recording quality is HD, which it wasn’t. Luckily the upscaling of the 360p video with AI came to make it a crisp 4K, even if the titles of the books are washed out.
New Podcast
David is an investor, entrepreneur, author, keynote speaker, and thought leader of the global technology landscape. His entrepreneurial accomplishments span several companies founded and grown over more than twenty years. VESA and David first met in Dubai during VESA’s exhibition at the Dubai Mall. Their initial conversation spanned over many in depth topics, touching on the ever changing technology space, entrepreneurship, AI and ethics, and what the future holds for the scene itself. This is an interpretative summary of David’s appearance on the VESA Podcast recently and what that conversation looked like.
To listen to the entire episode on the VESA Podcast on You Tube, click here:
Listen on Spotify
Listen on Youtube
David joins the podcast from his home in Northern Italy, where he feels comfortable surrounded by his impressive library of books and high quality Italian food.
As a starting point, VESA dove into David’s view on his inner science, as he knew based on their previous conversation that David had completed a Vipassana, or a silent retreat. Complete silence with no technology, or any kind of entertainment or study material might seem counterintuitive for a technologist, but David credited the retreat as hugely impactful and positive.
– It is actually not easy, David says.
He describes the amount of discipline it requires to completely withdraw to a world without electronics, books, newspapers or even eye contact with other people. The discipline was self-administered, understanding the benefits of the practice.
He adds that the recommendation is to meditate one to two hours a day after completing the retreat, but that he hasn’t applied this yet to his daily routine.
The conversation then turns to the opposite end of the spectrum, a world of total electronic or machine integration. How far down the pike are we? Will we even realize, when the chip is installed, or has it indeed already been installed years ago due to our association with technology?
David offers that everything we experience can be dissected on the objective-subjective axis, and further by taking into consideration time and place. What is a subjective experience with little to no relevance to others, versus timeless truths will depend greatly on how the information is curated and presented. Technology as we know it is deeply entwined with the time and place aspect. Technology socializes us and points us in the direction of necessary skills and behaviours. This influence has to be modulated, he states.
MMA of Religion
VESA then wants to present an idea to David that he has been developing in his mind for a little while. The concept pertains to the evolution of religion and what the next step could look like in what could arguably be called a post-Christian world. He suggests that there could emerge an amalgam of religions that takes traditions from different faiths, an MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) of religion, as he calls it.
– I recommend people be immodest, but humble, David starts as he describes a person capable of connecting the dots across different fields and from various sources of authority.
– Many are uncomfortable in accepting revealed religions as the answer to essential questions, but as I saw after the collapse of the Berlin wall, people have a need for religious experiences and I respect that, so I feel an evolution to bridge that gap might very well be underway.
In many ways you have to regress 200 years in order to resonate with the current church paradigm of wooden long benches and hymns.
VESA notes that a similar ‘religious’ belief surfacing from different fields is the idea that we live in a simulation. This, he says, brings about an attitude which paired with rapidly evolving AI might lead to a pathologically Godless society, lacking spiritual nourishment and transcendence.
The perplexing phenomenon of our time is that at the same time we have the most advanced non-biological technology and the demand to return to being the centre of the universe, so to speak.
Do we live in a simulation?
Inspired by his revelations with his new AI Series Juxtaposers, VESA presents an idea that in the current cultural context of left vs right, what seems to be missing is differentiation between establishment and anti-establishment, and how some times these labels can flip on their heads simply because of provoking thought, as in the case of Russel Brandt, who is now seen as a right-wing person simply because he has vocalized anti-establishment views. This axiom is at the heart of the Juxtaposers- series, which includes polarizing figures like Andrew Tate, Ben Shapiro, AOC and more.
– If you think about it, the Amish are more anti-establishment than most, it’s just a low dopamine ride, he explains as to why he wanted to draw parallels between Andrew Tate as an Amish apple picker.
As a segway to another cultural context, VESA tells that he had mixed feelings about a video he viewed with Sam Altman and Android Jones discussing AI. To him, Android’s very name and his fervent opposition to AI was in stark contrast.
– In times gone past, we used to organize ourselves in guilds as a way to control who has the right to express certain trades. Now, perhaps for the first time, we have the opportunity to open the arts for everyone, David says.
– The current situation is a dam about to burst. The label ‘artist’ is open to everyone and we will devise new metrics of value as a result, he explains.
Listen on Youtube
VESA gives an example of him commissioning a rap song via AI that was purely produced as a soundtrack for him painting in his studio, and how not even the most indulgent king would have dreamed of doing something like that before.
Actioneer
Next, VESA wants to learn more about David’s company Actioneer. He offers himself up as an example of someone who is masterful at their craft and quite observant, but hesitates in fulfilling a role of a CEO or a COO in a company setting, which modern day artists need to consider. What can a company like Actioneer do for artists and others who find themselves in a similar position?
– The world is so complex that we need all the help we can get. AI can help us decode our questions better than ever before, as we look into a paradigm where the old system of educating, gaining a job, working and dying is being challenged, David says.
– The spearhead of this are the founders of startups, and the entrepreneurial spirit is what Actioneer supports. To a select few this has been available for a while through incubators and mentorships, and Actioneer can democratize this help and make it very abundant, he explains.
– We believe that the world will be as saturated with tools like Actioneer, as it is presently with access to the Internet, because they are such an integral part of our modern lives, he says.
VESA sums up the necessity of these tools by noting that if you don’t become an entrepreneur as an artist, you won’t be an artist for long.
To follow David Orban’s message, you can find him at:
David Orban Dot Com
All socials etc
______
Until next time,
VESA & Lotta
Crypto & NFT Artist
All links to physical, NFTs, and more below
http://linktr.ee/ArtByVesa
The NFT collection CyberKongz said the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will likely charge it.
In a post on X on Monday, the collection said it received a Wells Notice, a letter from the SEC staff that recommends an enforcement action. It commented that the SEC is trying to pull through its laws before Joe Biden’s administration is over.
CyberKongz: “We Will Not Be Silenced”
In a recent post on X, CyberKongz revealed that it received a Wells Notice. A Wells Notice is a formal letter from the SEC staff notifying a company that the staff intends to recommend an enforcement action.
CyberKongz has received a Wells Notice from the SEC.
We are extremely disappointed at the approach the SEC has taken towards us, but we are going to stand up and fight for a brighter future that holds more clarity for NFT projects.
We have been suffering in silence for the last… pic.twitter.com/lc6hyzUPb0
— CyberKongz (@CyberKongz) December 16, 2024
In a statement, the NFT collection said it was disappointed with the approach of the SEC and vowed to stand up for and fight for greater clarity in the NFT space.
The collection shared that, for the past two years, it remained silent in response to SEC inquiries. The SEC was concerned that combining an ERC-20 token with a blockchain game could be considered a security.
It also mentioned that the SEC raised concerns about its business with Genesis Kongz in April 2021, describing it as a “contract migration.”
It said:
“They cannot distinguish between a primary sale and a contract migration. What hope do we have for a clear regulatory pathway moving forward?”
CyberKongz added it intends to fight for clearer crypto regulation, particularly regarding NFT projects.
Eyeing Trump’s Crypto-Friendly Stance
The NFT collection has been vocal about the current administration, which it claims is anti-crypto in its approach. Just recently, as the US Senate Banking Committee was preparing to vote on SEC Commissioner Caroline Crenshaw’s renomination, lawyer Bill Hughes raised concerns about her stance on cryptocurrency regulation. Hughes argued that her renomination one could see as politically hostile to the crypto industry. This stands in contrast to the increasing support for crypto-friendly policies under the incoming administration.
CyberKongz is optimistic that the new administration will provide a more level playing field with a more just regulatory framework. In the meantime, the team comited to support all NFT projects on every blockchain platform.
In the past year, the SEC has acted against several cases related to NFTs. This includes lawsuits against podcast studio Impact Theory and Stoner Cats 2 LLC over unregistered NFT offerings that raised millions. The commission also doled out a Wells Notice to NFT marketplace OpenSea, signaling potential enforcement action.
It is up to wait and see how this enforcement will unfold in the transition of the commission’s leadership. The current SEC Chairman Gary Gensler announced his departure on January 20, in concert with the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. Trump has named former SEC Commissioner Paul Atkins, considered friendlier to the crypto industry, as the head of the SEC.
Teuta Franjkovic
Teuta is a seasoned writer and editor with over 15 years of expertise in macroeconomics, technology, and the crypto and blockchain sectors.
She began her career in 2005 as a lifestyle writer for *Cosmopolitan* before transitioning to business and economic reporting for renowned outlets like *Forbes* and *Bloomberg*.
Inspired by thought leaders like Don and Alex Tapscott and Laura Shin, Teuta embraced blockchain’s potential, viewing cryptocurrency as one of humanity’s most transformative innovations.
Since 2014, she has specialized in fintech, focusing on crypto, blockchain, NFTs, and Web3. Known for her strong collaboration and communication skills, Teuta also holds dual MAs in Political Science and Law.
Disclaimer: The presented content may include the personal opinion of the author and is subject to market condition. Do your market research before investing in cryptocurrencies. The author or the publication does not hold any responsibility for your personal financial loss.
Unyted we (meta) stand
Many of the fancy metaverse projects take loooong to build and often require developers and budgets just to stay alive. In fact, one of my favorite ones had the whole company collapse around it in the build phase. I absolutely love what we’ve built with Superworld, for example, and what we’re about to release with Asvoria. Both of these require heavy machinery and rotation to come to life—and to be maintained.
Enter Unyted and my newest spatial Web3 space, which allows me to deliver fluent, up-to-date presentations on what’s happening now while also providing an overview of my entire career. I built it mostly by myself, with some guidance and glitch-fixing help from the team—special thanks to Tijana, Saskia, and Florian. I can update it in minutes to include a new project, presentation, or missing link. It’s freeing and necessary.
Unyted is at the forefront of spatial computing, offering innovative solutions that empower users to create, own, and monetize immersive 3D virtual environments. Their platform is designed to facilitate seamless transitions into the metaverse, providing tools for education, collaboration, and personalized digital experiences.
Link to join the metaverse
Link to join the X spaces.
Join us for a session with Ador, Bitcoin LIVE and others tomorrow 20.00 CET
Starting Thursday, we’ll kick things off with a joint presentation with Ador, and from there, we’ll host regular spaces that people can join visually. X is great for connecting with people, but for an artist, a lot is still missing from the full experience. Let’s see if we can bring these two innovations together in a sensible way.
Watch the Tijana introduction to Unyted as well as my keynote held some time ago regarding web3, metaverse and creativity.
Delivering the Metaverse
They’re just starting out, and sure, sure there are a few glitches, but I’ve already given a couple of presentations that feel like a real departure from the world of Zoom. Nothing is ever perfect and getting going and constantly working on it is what keeps the thing alive.
It’s a step closer to delivering something of real value in the metaverse. People showed up to my first keynote in the space done together, they asked questions and then some were left to wonder around the space to explore it on their own. Promises kept. Those matter, after the last run.
I’ve been friends with Florian Krueger since the early blockchain days in London back in 2018, and we’ve collaborated on several projects. He remains one of my favorite people in the crypto space—always looking out for his people and tirelessly fighting for the ethical side of it. I was happy to hear he was starting a new venture and that I could also be a part of.
If you prefer the (virtual) city life?
Key Features of Unyted:
- Modular Environments: Unyted enables users to design and customize digital spaces, such as virtual homes, offices, or campuses, reflecting their unique vision. These environments can be monetized, allowing creators to generate revenue through their virtual properties.
- EdTech Solutions: The platform offers immersive educational experiences with features like AI-driven personalized learning paths, customizable avatars, and virtual classrooms. These tools aim to enhance student engagement and retention, providing scalable and cost-effective solutions for educational institutions.
- Data Protection and Security: Operating under EU regulations and compliant with GDPR, Unyted ensures top-tier data protection. Users maintain complete control over their personal and institutional data, upholding responsible practices in the metaverse.
- Sustainability Commitment: Unyted is dedicated to sustainability, calculating energy consumption and offsetting carbon emissions for each project. Through Unyted.World, users can stake tokens specifically for carbon offsetting, promoting environmental responsibility within the digital landscape.
In many ways what is important about the metaverse is our ability to pre-visualise the world we would like to live in, and then walk toward that direction.
Founded in 2022 by Gaby K. Slezák and Florian Krueger, Unyted envisions a decentralized, independent metaverse where users have equal access to a secure three-dimensional internet. Their mission is to empower individuals to shape their digital futures, fostering a community where creativity and collaboration thrive.
For those seeking to explore the metaverse, Unyted offers consulting services to guide organizations through VR, AR, blockchain, Web3, and Web4 technologies. Their seasoned team provides strategy insights and design expertise to craft unique digital experiences aligned with organizational visions.
Unyted stands as a visionary force in the evolving digital landscape, pioneering innovation while prioritizing user ownership, open collaboration, data protection, and sustainability.
Ador aka BitSavage will join us for the Monday talk in which we also dwell deeper into DAF – the Department of Artistic Freedom
Asvoria coming up soon!
I’ll soon travel to Bulgaria to film some content in the Asvoria linked Hotel Satoshi Nakamoto, as well as guide the team on advances in our shiny updated metaverse space.
The art cars are also gearing up for their auction in Dubai in January, but more on that later.
See you Dec 5th 20.00 CET:
Link to join the metaverse
Link to join the X spaces.
Much to build,
VESA
Crypto Artist, Speaker, Consultant, Writer
All links to physical, NFTs, and more below
South Beach Bound
This year BitBasel will takeover the entire Sagamore Hotel in Miami South Beach for the entire week. The last show I was a part of with BitBasel was still held in the Miami Bitcoin Center in 2019, so returning to exhibit with these pioneers is precious. I had also no idea just how predictive my keynote back then was going to be about what is going to be shown now. It’s groundhog day with bananas and a repetition of Dante’s circles of hell, while trying to help humanity out of inverse mode. A worthy fight. Legends only 🚀
As crazy as this journey has been since the early days, needing to repeat some fundamentals time and time again, while the ETH scene erodes further, luckily there are people who see what I do and support the perspective to be a part of it all. Much gratitude for Lecks and Scarlett for including me in the 2024 show.
Back to the Future
Notice what is on screen during my lecture about all things decentralised in 2019 at BitBasel
Back then, I was commenting a lot on how the world is on fire, how we need to fix the monetary system, the origin story of creativity, how AI will replace most low-end lawyers, accountants, etc., within five years, and how the banana fuckery of the art world couldn’t possibly sink any lower. Man, was I wrong—again—on that one. It seems the art world has found new ways to hit rock bottom in the Web3 space. At least then, SuperRare was still just taking off with hope. My naive self still believed back then that blockchain was going to bring more transparency to the art world. LOL.
Anyhoo, both the divine touch and the banana were featured in my slides during the presentation, and now they will be part of the 2024 BitBasel as a combined artwork. The piece comments on how the West has lost its way and explores what we can do to revitalize it. The reverse of the great inverse is the avant-garde, and I keep being here for it. Eventually, this will be seen by everyone and recognized as self-evident. In the meanwhile, I gotta double up as an artist as well as a culture critic. It’s a weird position but someone’s gotta do it.
I’m Potency
I’m Potency will be on show, infamous now from the precious SuperRare debacle.
The NFT comes with a physical canvas print, painted over with acrylics, which launches an AR animation.
I wrote an article here called “Proof of censorship” recently on the substance.
Here is the longer original tweet as my “submission” for the competition.
Price 6 ETH
BitRam!
See if the scanning works via the Artivive app!
The second piece on show is the live version NFT of the BitRam artwork re-imagining the animal lore of Bitcoin a bit. BTC keeps trucking along, breaking new number heights, but most importantly fighting to have an alternate space marked safe from the fiat inflation machine.
The animation original piece comes with a 2/3 physical, hand finished canvas art piece that launches into an AR version via the Artivive app.
Price: 9 ETH
BitRam physical re-paint (sold 1/3) on show in Switzerland at the Swiss Web3 Conf earlier in 2024 during Art Basel. 2/3 is now available and married together with the 1/1 animation NFT on sale at BitBasel.
Renaissance 360
Lecks also asked me to get some metaverse material on a screen, which I was happy about. The compilation video of some of the best made thus far through Asvoria (launching soon), Superworld and Cornerstone Land will be presented as part of a larger metaverse reel.
Why are we not allowed to ask, in art, the most basic of questions. Why can’t we be inspired by excellence, beauty, harmony and the spirit? Time after time, we just revel in this mud like pigs with no future. At least the pigs derive some nutrients and skin care from their play, whilst we just reduce ourselves to animals with no instincts.
Program schedule and links:
BitBasel Miami Art Week 2024, scheduled from December 3 to December 8 at the Sagamore Hotel South Beach, offers a dynamic fusion of art and technology. This week-long event features a diverse lineup of activities, including exhibitions, panel discussions, and immersive experiences.
Event Highlights:
- December 2: The week commences with the ActNowXR Summit, focusing on art’s role in sustainability and impact, followed by the BitBasel VIP Vernissage showcasing fine art masterworks.
- December 3: “Beyond A.I.” explores the future of creativity, delving into artificial intelligence’s influence on art and technology.
- December 4: The Creative Tech Investor Summit brings together leading minds in finance to discuss investment trends at the intersection of art and technology.
- December 5: A day dedicated to special events, offering opportunities for brands and partners to host their own activations within the BitBasel framework.
- December 6: “Mooon.Party Vol.2” celebrates art and technology with an unforgettable night featuring top DJs and live performances.
- December 7: The 23rd Iconic Sagamore Brunch presents “The Future of the Arts,” featuring immersive live art, panel discussions, and performances by the South Florida Symphony. Later, the Jayne Pierson Runway Show blends high fashion with artistic innovation.
- December 8: The event concludes with the 305 Pool Party, a vibrant gathering celebrating local impact and community, featuring music and poolside fun.
Ready to be touched by God?
Throughout the week, attendees can explore “The Gallery,” a curated space showcasing cutting-edge creative expressions in fine art, digital masterpieces, and space-bound art.
For more details and ticket information, visit the official BitBasel website.
Proof of Effort
T(r)opical from 2017 was the first Miami specific work I ever made. The 2/3 re-paint is still available now priced at 1 BTC. I kept the idea I had that some of the early works will keep the thread to the 1 BTC price, when bought from me. Of course, I needed start making others without it, as about 10k remains the constant “fuck you money” that people in the scene use for art. These piece are historic though, so if you want in on that action, I solute you! I saved it here as the last thing, so it’s only through proof of collector effort, that you even get to them.
Also, forever respect for Moe Levin, the founder of the North American Bitcoin Conference, for giving me my first ever spot to showcase my art in January 2018. Cool to have a fren also in Joel from the Bad Crypto Podcast, who is lurking there in the background 😂 The 1/50 signed print was given to Moe as a gift.
At 100k, the 6×3 foot re-paints are still cheap to what some of the earliest holistic works will eventually cost, once the dust settles a bit.
VESA
Crypto Artist, Speaker, Consultant, Writer
All links to physical, NFTs, and more below
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