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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 YoutubeVESA 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
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Until next time,
VESA & Lotta
Crypto & NFT Artist
All links to physical, NFTs, and more below
http://linktr.ee/ArtByVesa
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Free Web3
Web3 Liberation from Postmodernism’s Stranglehold: The Art Renaissance
By VESA
Postmodernism isn’t just an art issue—it’s everywhere. This single, pervasive philosophy has seeped into big tech, corporations, legislation, media, and nearly every major institution, often strangling genuine creativity, diversity of thought, and depth. For comparison, there are around 200 other philosophies, 4,300 religions, the male perspective, homemaker moms, the working class, the diminishing middle class, the scientific paradigm, and much more that are left out of gallery circles simply because they don’t fit the dominant narrative, which paradoxically claims to be the one that’s repressed. It’s really a luxury belief for the modern aristocracy—a tool for control—and the Marxist roots always emerge when pressure is applied.
Postmodernism’s defining trait is deconstruction, pulling apart concepts and ideals without ever offering a cohesive path forward. It’s a circular maze that keeps doubling back on itself, producing increasingly bizarre conclusions to solve the very problems it creates. Real solutions lie in expanding the field of view beyond this single frame, embracing a diversity of philosophies, religions, and perspectives that have grounded humanity for millennia. The real power of Web3 lies in its ability to do just that: to break art and culture out of this one-note narrative, empowering creators and thinkers alike to explore beyond the limits imposed by postmodernism.
This is what we missed in the first run of NFT’s importing the same postmodern experts from the realm we were trying to break free from. That and some better tech solutions for sustainable art, as some of the falling platforms have showed.
We first had a true avant-garde scene, which was then quickly eroded by the millions upon millions showered on end-stage postmodern expressions, championed by people who either (a) didn’t realize how tired it all was or (b) were heavily financially and ideologically incentivized to support it.
Funny, not funny
It turns out that holding contempt for ideas and their significance means that, time and again, the working class ends up being ruled by them. While I understand why this is amusing to some, I see how many are now disillusioned, as the humanities have been overtaken by a single, monolithic ideology. Similarly, the U.S. intelligentsia’s “flyover states” disdain is now facing a reckoning with the MAGA hat in a very different way after 40 years of indulging in postmodern ideas and scorn. The underbelly of the speech in A Bug’s Life is surfacing, too.
You can’t only summarise postmodernism to be woke and Marxist, but you aren’t far off. In case you want to hear the foundations, Steven Hicks has a brilliant analysis and summary of it. You might have to spend 3hrs to save your life & community to get it, so it’s not that long, really ⚡️
Part I – Philosophy foundations
Part II – Relevance now
For five long decades, postmodernism has held art in a chokehold, enforcing its narrow, often cynical, view of reality. Art became a reflection of society’s fragmentation, alienation, and obsession with irony—what I call the “postmodern monolithic rule.” While postmodernism initially sought to challenge established norms, it has since become the new establishment, dictating an increasingly restrictive narrative. The art world under postmodernism has marginalised genuine exploration, profound beauty, and universal human truths.
This is where Web3 steps in, not just as a technological shift but as a liberation front for artistic expression. That was the point. Not just monetising what ever, but to actually set culture free. Web3 allows artists to break out from the centralised grip of traditional galleries and critics, unleashing a decentralized platform where new ideas can flourish – however this means the scene has to support that, instead of the next duck tape banana or drooling ape AI pic.
Through NFTs and blockchain, creators can finally bypass the gatekeepers, reaching audiences directly and letting their art speak unfiltered. It’s the anti-postmodern era we’ve been waiting for—one that values authenticity, courage, and depth over calculated irony and shallow critique. The freedom to explore and create in as vast a way as the internet has already guided us to be for the past twenty years.
What is the Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch. From paradise to hell, the lesson path is clear in the end stage. These aren’t just imaginative nightmares. They’re warnings about human nature — and what a world without religion is like. Feel familiar a bit? The twet link will explain it further.
Outside the restrictive frame of postmodernism lies a rich expanse of artistic traditions and narratives that we’ve been missing out on. Imagine a return to the timeless pursuits of beauty, harmony, and spirituality, merged with the advancements of digital technology. Art that celebrates connection, transcendence, and human potential. Web3 offers the tools to bring these visions to life, and artists are now free to explore themes of mythology, futurism, abstraction, and even divinity—all without needing to conform to a single ideology. This isn’t just art for art’s sake; it’s art for humanity’s sake, and it’s been a long time coming.
Authenticity as an Artist: From Cave Paintings to the Metaverse
Art isn’t a recent trend—it’s a core aspect of the human journey that dates back to our ancestors painting on cave walls. In today’s world, however, many artists find themselves constrained by expectations to follow specific trends, often losing their authenticity along the way. True artistry isn’t about following popular movements or creating what’s fashionable. It’s about tapping into a lineage of creativity that spans thousands of years, one that includes everything from the first tribal carvings to the masterworks of the Renaissance, all the way to the digital landscapes of the metaverse.
Why did Graham Hancock’s Ancient Apocalypse suddenly get attacked as racist, with Hancock himself labeled a white supremacist, despite his thirty-year marriage to a woman of color and his long-standing praise of ancient cultures worldwide throughout his journalistic career? You guessed it—postmodernism, as the series collapses the narrative. I’ll write more on that later.
Inside the art world, for the most part, you might hear of Mayan culture and traditions, but not the parts that contradict postmodern ideas.
Being an authentic artist means immersing yourself in this vast ocean of history and expression, drawing inspiration from the past and future alike. The beauty of Web3 is that it allows artists to travel across these realms without restriction. The blockchain and NFTs don’t just democratize art; they create a space where we can explore new forms of expression while staying grounded in the wisdom of our creative ancestors. The metaverse, for instance, offers the opportunity to merge the digital with the timeless, creating interactive experiences that honor the depth and spirituality of older art forms while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
When you explore the richness of art history, you find yourself standing on the shoulders of giants. Authentic art doesn’t mimic or simply react—it builds bridges. It’s about discovering your voice in this vast chorus and using every tool available, whether it’s oil on canvas, sculpture, or VR. Web3 and the metaverse make this journey even more exhilarating, providing artists with a canvas as expansive as their imaginations. True artists dig deep, break molds, and remind us that art is not bound by time or technology but by a timeless quest for truth.
Imagine the uproar, the fuss and emotional outbursts if there was to be a grand unveiling of an openly conservative gallery?
The Heretical Idea: Curate Your Own Galleries Outside the Establishment
Here’s a heretical idea for cultural curators and artists: Forget trying to break into the art world if you don’t feel represented. Start your own galleries, curate your own shows, and let Web3 be your platform for sharing art on your own terms. It’s cheap to start an online gallery.
Web3 has made this entirely possible. With decentralized platforms, artists can sidestep traditional gatekeepers, reach global audiences, and create communities that appreciate and support their work. Curating your own gallery isn’t just an act of defiance; it’s a celebration of creative freedom. Imagine artists coming together to form collectives that highlight unique styles, new voices, and daring themes that the conventional art world might consider “too much.” With NFTs and blockchain, you have the tools to bring these exhibitions to life without relying on anyone else’s approval.
Curating your own gallery in the Web3 space doesn’t just disrupt the old system; it builds a new one based on collaboration, innovation, and authenticity. This is where real artistic diversity can thrive, unbound by the constraints of a single ideology. Artists can create galleries that reflect their own vision, themes, and messages—whether that’s surrealism, futurism, spiritual exploration, or socio-political commentary. The freedom to shape your own narrative is the most powerful tool artists have, and Web3 is the key to unlocking it. It’s time to stop waiting for permission and start creating spaces that embody the true spirit of art: raw, fearless, and unfiltered.
TDR
Notice that all these artists and collectors below are doing this poll by not making their views public. I’ve been standing up for this, in the free speech spirit, since I came in from 2017, and was put in the web3 Western culture jail for it (mostly) since. Here is an earlier article to prove it.
so, have your postmodernism, it’s fine, I’m not trying to take your voice away from you, but actually deliver on the inclusion promise so everyone can come to play. The virtual is for everyone, not just one dominant ideology that leaves out most of the world.
As for the cover image, I have my reservations about Trump, even if there’s a potential Web3 landslide against the pro-censorship camp led by figures like Kamala. My concerns are less pronounced with Elon Musk, Ron Paul, RFK, Tulsi Gabbard, and increasingly JD Vance after listening to him on Rogan. While most visual artists sat this one out—even in Web3—the comedians have shifted the landscape, outpacing us 6-0 in terms of relevance.
The thing is, even if Trump is guilty of a lot, he and his team of “X-men mutants” have become voices for Bitcoin, free speech, opposition to big pharma, and perhaps even psychedelics, squirrels, and the like. For the first time in my life, a political campaign is actually addressing ideas that interest me. Of course, as I am not a US citizen, you don’t have to worry about my vote even if you absolutely hate everything I just wrote. None the less, this election will greatly influence my life, and it is addressed in the web3 citizen of the world spirit.
Let that sink in,
VESA
Crypto Artist, Speaker, Consultant, Writer
All links to physical, NFTs, and more below
NFT
Magic Eden Expands To Arbitrum With New Gaming NFT Collection
Magic Eden will soon be minting Ubisoft’s upcoming 10,000-piece NFT collection on the Ethereum scaling network Arbitrum to give holders early access to the new game.
Minted on the Ethereum layer-2 scaling network Arbitrum, the new Niji Warrior ID NFTs unlock early access to the top-down shooter, enable participation in the game’s governance model and track player progress.
Magic Eden, Ubisoft Team Up for Captain Laserhawk NFT Launch
According to the official press release, this deal marks Arbitrum’s addition to the Magic Eden NFT marketplace, which had already supported projects from Solana, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Polygon, and Base in the past.
Among the top NFT marketplaces, Magic Eden will be instrumental in serving up distribution and management of NFTs for Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E. It is a leading force in cross-chain compatibility and backs projects with innovative gameplay, further building influence in Web3 gaming.
With the partnership, Magic Eden injects several years of experience in NFT ecosystems into this new agreement with Ubisoft and Arbitrum, offering players a secure and user-friendly way to manage digital assets. The deal also heats up gaming experiences and solidifies the status of Magic Eden as one of the leading driving forces in the fast-changing NFT gaming sector.
The partnership also points toward the modern trend in the adoption of layer-2 solutions for NFT projects, all-inclusive of better scalability and interoperability within the Ethereum ecosystem. Such infrastructure will enable smoother and easier gaming, reaching a wider audience both for game developers and gamers alike.
The name of the game is Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E., and it’s set in a dystopian world inspired by Netflix’s series Captain Laserhawk. The title will also feature various iconic characters from other Ubisoft franchises.
Ubisoft’s Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E. was described at the time as “a transmedia experience” on the foundation of Arbitrum. Holders will be granted Web3 governance over determining the narrative for the game. The game itself comes along with an imminent mint for their Niji Warrior ID NFTs.
Ubisoft maintains that one of the main benefits with NFTs is that holders will have extraordinary voting rights over major governance decisions and, in fact, give the community the power to shape the future of the game.
Ubisoft’s NFTs Coming Soon: Only 10,000 Will Exist
These NFTs are play-to-earn, unlocking rewards for a unique opportunity to be fully involved in the active creation of new content, thus transforming players into co-creators of game development.
This move signifies one of the most major steps Ubisoft has ever taken towards including blockchain and NFTs in gaming. An initiative of this nature by Ubisoft precisely fits into the company’s vision: to offer more immersive experiences through decentralized platforms and increase player engagement.
This new Magic Eden-Ubisoft partnership comes off the heels of a closed beta, which was held in August. Still, hardly any footage has surfaced online because participants reportedly had NDAs. These were preventing them from sharing any details about the game. From the few clips that managed to find their way onto Twitter, the game looks colorful and quick-paced. There are also plenty of tight choke points around which players fight it out.
However, the highly-coveted collection of 10,000 NFTs will be minted in the coming weeks. At the same time, many future minters have secured spots for participation in the beta and completed challenges in Discord. The ID mint represents the final milestone on the road map before the game launches, meaning Captain Laserhawk: The G.A.M.E. is not very far away.
The title represents Ubisoft’s second major blockchain game after its partnership with Magic Eden, aside from Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles. The latter is on the Oasys network but has also similarly minted NFTs on Ethereum. Recently, Champions Tactics conducted a sort of “technical beta” testing ahead of its public launch, which is expected very soon.
The publisher known for titles like Assassin’s Creed and Just Dance has been developing and investing in the crypto space for years. In late 2021, they launched in-game NFTs for their Ghost Recon: Breakpoint game on the Tezos blockchain.
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.
NFT
Digital Chamber Supports New NFT Legislation Amid Gary Gensler Criticism
The introduction of the New Frontiers in Technology Act (NFT Act) by Congressman Timmons has garnered support from Digital Chamber. This legislative effort marks the first direct address by the US Congress towards the regulatory treatment of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). This is a pivotal moment for the digital asset industry amidst ongoing legal challenges.
Digital Chamber Supports New NFT Act
Following the recent introduction of the NFT Act, Digital Chamber has quickly aligned itself in favor of the proposed legislation. Digital Chamber praised Congressman Timmons’ leadership for spearheading this critical initiative, which seeks to clarify the classification of NFTs amidst increasing legal scrutiny of digital assets.
The Act addresses a variety of use cases for NFTs, ensuring they are treated as consumer goods rather than financial products. This distinction could influence the future regulatory landscape for NFTs.
Additionally, The NFT Act lays a foundational definition of non-fungible tokens and provides protections for what it describes as “covered” NFTs. These include digital works of art, collectibles, and other forms of intellectual property, distinguishing them from financial instruments.
Concurrently, the Act mandates that the Comptroller General of the United States conduct a study on non-fungible digital assets. This study aims to assess the evolving landscape and implications of NFTs.
The legislative clarity will be a step toward safeguarding creators and consumers from the regulatory actions that have recently targeted the industry.
NFT Legal Challenges and Regulatory Scrutiny
The need for the New Frontiers in Technology Act has been underscored by a series of high-profile legal challenges facing the industry. Companies like Dapper Labs and DraftKings have faced lawsuits, with OpenSea receiving a Wells notice from the SEC, signaling potential securities violations.
Additionally, the SEC’s recent actions against Flyfish Club for unregistered NFT sales have provoked criticism from within the agency itself, with Commissioners Peirce and Uyeda dissenting from the decision. They argue that such tokens should not automatically be classified as securities based on their potential for resale at higher values.
The broader digital asset community, including Digital Chamber, has voiced concerns over SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s aggressive regulatory stance. More so, Digital Chamber founder, Perianne Boring, expressed her dissatisfaction with Gary stating,
“SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s unlawful crackdown on #crypto has pushed the industry back by a decade.”
In addition, these accusations of unlawful crackdowns on the crypto and NFT sectors by the SEC chair have led many to speculate about Gensler’s dismissal. Incidents like the recent amendment of original complaint against Binance, further fuel debates over the need for clearer guidelines.
Moreover, these developments come amid reports that all five SEC commissioners will testify before the House Financial Services Committee, an event not seen since 2019. The hearing may include discussions on ETH’s classification as a security.
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.
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