This is the story of my unlikely entry point to NFTs (spoiler: they’re a right faff).
I was talking with NFT champion, Josh Williams at a You Are The Media event and he suggested that a practical use of NFT, beyond owning expensive digital artworks, would be a more secure form of e-ticket.
Q: “Stop the bus. What’s an NFT?”
A: Allow me to explain through this step-by-step process of acquiring my first, and so far only NFT.
The most perfect thing about this story is that we’re talking about something at the height of modern technology, which I technically bought at my local neighbourhood Asda store, a ten minute walk from my house. It’s not even a superstore, it’s little bigger than a Co-op.
Ok, so actually I didn’t buy it. It was a free gift (or a giNFT, if you prefer) with a can of craft beer, brewed in collaboration by SALT and gwei-lo breweries. Being a child of the 1990’s, I’m conditioned to expect a free gift with every meal. To get one with a beer, well, it’s about time frankly.
The can reads.
“Have you heard about NFTs? Do you want to learn more about NFTs? Do you want your own NFT? No problem – we’ve got your back. Anyone who purchases this beer can redeem their very own NFT on Polygon by scanning the QR code.”
A confession
I got caught up in the early novelty of QR codes. Then, realising there were few scenarios where it wasn’t more convenient to just type in a web address, I began to laugh people out the door every time they suggested having one. I was wrong. Ten years later they came back in a big way. I accept that. I’m keeping an open mind on this NFT business.
1️⃣ Scan the QR code
Nice and easy, took me to a page with further instructions.
2️⃣ Download Metamask and set up your wallet
Fair game, I figured there’d be an app involved in this. Just needed to reset my Apple ID (always forget that) download the app and I’d be away, right? It said “wallet”, but this is a free gift, so hopefully no bank account detail commitment? Correct *phew*
Wait, I have to remember 12 words to access the wallet?!
3️⃣ Input my unique code to ‘mint’ NFT
Ok, so this is the fancy part where it electronically codes the art file to me and gives me proof of ownership for evermore. It all feels very official. I’m at a base level of excitement.
4️⃣ Download OpenSea to view your NFT
Another app?! Why can’t I just view it when I open my wallet like a fading photo of my girlfriend? (or the print out of Natalie Portman I had in there in 2002).
5️⃣ Figure out how to move NFT from ‘hidden’ to public view
That seemed more challenging than it should’ve been but ok. I can now show the world my one-strong NFT collection! Here it is.
2 hours later, a lot of bad language and some excessive trial and error, I finally figured out how to import the NFT into the original app and my ‘wallet’.
Maybe it was the frustration of getting it to work, maybe there really is something to be said about digital asset ownership, either way, once I’d finally achieved this, I could feel a psychological weight to the totally imaginary concept. I kept wanting to open the app (the first one) and look at it again.
So…. what do I do with this?
Well, unlike exclusive artworks that may have an investment and resell value to them, this is more of a raffle ticket, a way of entering a competition to be involved with brewing future beers from SALT and gwei-lo, or the design process of can label artwork. Watch this space! 🤞
To summarise my experience
This was a bit of fun. They definitely succeeded in demystifying the NFT concept and process for me. If the application of this technology is going to scale up, it needs to be made more convenient. There were stages in completing this which, even with the clear advice from the brewers, are dogged by jargon and the need for a fluency in tech that would have your colleagues in IT support shrugging their shoulders.
Also, gas. It kept talking about “gas charges”. Is there actual gas involved in this? If not, why use that term and make me look silly for asking?
I said to Josh that the day I acquired my first NFT I’d buy him a beer. As a fellow appreciator of craft, I think I know just the drop.
Liam Toms 