We all know what NFT's are. They're just some metadata. Some of them are literally JSON files. Yes, that's true. No, you're not confused or missing something.

That's it.

Bye.

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"Okay but why are people getting rich, and how can I become rich too?"

Calm down. I'll explain. Take a deep breath, and let's dive in.

Yes, an NFT is just some JSON—but if you own an NFT of a file, say an image for example, then you own that specific metadata permanently. That matters in Web3.

"But can't you just copy the file?"

Yes, but you can copy The Mona Lisa as well. Only one person can actually own the original Mona Lisa, though, because in real life there is a real original work that is inherently worth more than any copy.

What makes files worse than real life things is, you can identify the real-life original Mona Lisa, but you cannot identify the real-life original jpeg of a digital painting your favorite artist drew. Anyone can claim to own the original, and there's no difference anyway.

The blockchain changes that.

Let's talk about the blockchain

Basically, the blockchain is a linked list of transactions. Each "block" is just:

• Data, such as a description of a transfer of ownership of a jpeg from me to Rocco Sangellino

• A link to the most previous transaction to have occurred on the blockchain's network

• A hash, which is like the block's "ID"

If that's confusing, think of the blockchain as a bunch of digital receipts that all have their own checkout ID's attached to them, as well as the checkout ID of the receipt created for the transaction that occurred previous to that one.

Basically, Mary buys something and gets a receipt with an ID at the top, then Bob buys something and gets a receipt that has both its own ID at the top and the ID of Mary's receipt at the bottom.

Got that?

Now, imagine literally any customer of the "store" has a full list of all the receipts ever printed at that store, saved digitally on their phones.

We could decide what transactions are "real" based on a consensus of everyone's data. So if you go in and hack your list of receipts to say that YOU purchased the last box of corn flakes at 5pm yesterday instead of me, it won't matter because everyone else's list of receipts says you're a liar.

There are more protections than that, but that's all you need to know for now. The blockchain guarantees the validity of all transactions. If the blockchain says you own something, you 100% own it. NO LIES DETECTED.

True Ownership

So back to "owning some metadata". Well, because the blockchain says that YOU own that metadata, now NO ONE can lie and say they own it. Your digital file has all the qualities of a real original: There is a way to verify it is the original, which makes it distinct from every other copy.

It's still just a jpeg though, right?

Well, it's a jpeg and an NFT, which is a digital signature by the artist. It's essentially a signed Michael Jordan jersey that we know is signed without needing someone to analyze the signature. We know it's signed because there's a "block" (receipt) that shows Michael Jordan's unique ID transferring it to your unique ID.

It also cannot be stolen from your closet by a thief, or damaged by poor storage. It's the ultimate signature.

If a unique, one of a kind signature of something means nothing to you, then NFT's mean nothing to you, just like collectibles mean nothing. If they do mean something, then NFT's should mean something to you. It's the exact same thing, but in a scifi futuristic conception.

Moving forward

Okay, now you're curious how one can know what NFT's will pop off and which ones won't.

• There are small groups of people speculating on NFT's who have an eye for which ones will be "popular". Does that sound a little shady? Probably is! But if you can find yourself in these circles, you may find yourself getting paid.
• Follow Samina to learn more about this. She's working in the crypto space at @decentology

Now you want to know where to start as a developer on the blockchain, eh?

• You can do smart contract development if you want, but if you'd rather leverage your existing web dev or other skills, check out @dabit3 on
• Read his article on getting into full stack ethereum development

Now you wanna know how to stay in touch with me, right!?

• Follow me on hashnode! The button is up there ^^^^
• Follow me on Twitter !
• Hit me with an email! shaquil@conjuration.net