Welcome to Re:Block

Welcome to Re:Block– a web3 education platform to help college students (like myself) interact and get comfortable with blockchain technology.

My name is Lauren Huttner, and I’m currently a sophomore at Northwestern University studying Journalism and History. You might be wondering why I’m writing this newsletter if I’m not a CS or engineering major. Well…surprise! That’s the point. Web3 shouldn’t be this ominous, gate-kept technology that only nerds and finance boys can talk about. There is a place for everyone on the new internet. I’m here to help you find out where you want to get involved.

If you’re reading this, you probably fall into one of two categories:

1. You’ve heard the buzzwords– crypto, blockchain, web3, etc.-- tossed around and want to learn more. You’re… crypto-curious

2. You’ve interacted with exchanges— maybe bought some coins or NFTs— but want to expand your horizons. You’re… crypto-expansive

I remember being in your shoes. Over winter break in 2020, my good (internet) friend Yash introduced me to how blockchain technology could enhance the way creators monetized themselves. After talking with Alex Masmej, the first person to ever monetize himself through blockchain using social tokens, I fell down the crypto rabbit hole. I tried to build my own company helping fashion designers build social tokens and immersed myself in web3 culture.

On my crypto journey, finding spaces where I felt empowered to explore was incredibly difficult. I joined my school’s blockchain club but felt like I lacked the technical skills to participate meaningfully. I was the only girl on the team, and sometimes, the only one at our virtual meetings.

Re:Block is built to be inclusive. I want to help you tap into your curiosities and get involved in web3 in whatever way you want to. From learning about PR through a service DAO to exploring investing through interacting with NFTs, I’m here to help you realize that you don’t need to be technical to participate in the internet revolution. You simply need interest…that’s it!

This platform isn’t for investment advice. In fact, I hate that society frames blockchain and crypto as a means for getting rich quickly. In reality, blockchain and crypto are a technical foundation for new projects anyone with a creative spirit can build. Whether you’re passionate about fashion and want to find how web3 intersects with design, or are a pre-med eager to see how blockchain can secure health records, this space celebrates the intersection of industries– the interdisciplinary nature of web3.

For now, Re:Block will be a weekly newsletter with articles, long-form pieces and explainers. I’ll be collaborating with some of my friends occasionally to share meaningful ways for you to get involved across the web3 ecosystem. I’ll also include job opportunities and bounties. If you’re working in web3 and have an opportunity for college students to participate, let me know here. As we grow, I’m hoping to build our community URL and IRL. If you have any ideas, you can always reach out to me via Twitter.

Knowing my onboarding experience to web3 was a bit turbulent at times, I’m excited to be building something that is calmer and directed. I hope you will join along as we sail into the future.

💙 Lauren “Alexa…play Revolution by Diplo” Huttner

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