Hey everyone,
Welcome to October—where the mornings are getting crisper, the coffee’s getting spicier (mmm, dirty chai), and somehow, our conversations have gotten even more fascinating. If you thought summer was full of energy, wait until you hear about what we’ve chatted about on Monday. From the scent of luxury candles to the future of social tech, there’s a lot to unpack, so let’s dive in!
The Candle Ritual: Beyond Just Wax and Wicks
What started as a casual conversation about fall vibes quickly spiraled into a full-blown appreciation for the finer things in life—candles. But not just any candles. Humankind Candles have taken center stage, bringing an entirely new dimension to what a “luxury product” means. If you’ve ever lit one of Samantha’s candles, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
The colors, the craftsmanship, the way the scent transforms your space—it’s all about the experience. In fact, we’ve found ourselves in deep discussions about how these handcrafted pieces elevate everyday moments into something... more. There’s something so inherently calming about the act of lighting a candle that smells like pistachio cream AND Japanese milk bread and letting it take over your senses. These aren't just candles; they’re rituals. For some of us, it's become almost a meditative practice—deciding when to light them, preserving them for special occasions, or sometimes just letting them burn to enhance a quiet evening at home.
As I said to the gang, “Humankind candles have premium price points, exceptional craftsmanship, and even symbolic significance. It’s the ritual that goes beyond anything I’ve experienced before.”
Humankind candles are luxury in every sense of the word. From their design to their scents, they’ve redefined our expectations of what a candle should be. It’s been hilarious watching some of us debate the merits of wooden wicks, candle melt pools, and whether or not our other, lesser candles even deserve to exist anymore. These candles have raised the bar so high, there’s no turning back.
Farcaster & The Future of Web3 Socials
Of course, our newsletter wouldn't be complete if we didn’t geek out about social tech—and this Monday, we had plenty to talk about. For starters, treegirl recapped her experience at MCON, a crucible for bold ideas, spicy takes, and plenty of reflection on where the Web3 space is headed.
A recurring theme? Farcaster. A few months ago, the platform exploded in popularity, with many builders betting big on its long-term potential. But, as with any nascent technology, the rollercoaster of growth has its ups and downs. A hot take from MCON? Some teams who went all in on building for Farcaster earlier this year are now pulling back a bit, re-evaluating their time and resources.
Treegirl (aka Diana Chen) shared, “I think a lot of teams at that point made the bet that Farcaster was going to keep blowing up, and their time and resources would be best spent building for the ecosystem. But now, they’re reflecting and realizing that maybe the bet wasn’t as good as they thought.”
This sentiment has sparked an important discussion—was the initial hype a bit too optimistic? While some are taking a step back, others are doubling down on Farcaster’s future. And honestly, it’s hard not to be bullish when you see what’s brewing beneath the surface.
A Revival of Engagement and Community
One thing is clear: Farcaster is evolving, and the community is still deeply committed. Jason from Moxie brought some much-needed perspective. Despite the plateau in growth after the initial explosion of activity, there’s been a remarkable surge in engagement recently—more than a 120% increase since July. And this isn’t just fluff; it's real user interaction, people coming back and staying engaged, drawn in by platforms like Moxie and its ecosystem of mini-apps.
Jason (aka betashop.eth) passionately explained, “We doubled engagement on Farcaster, and people are coming back—often. We really brought the life back to Farcaster in a big way, and it’s exciting to see this energy rekindled.”
The key to Farcaster’s continued growth? Community. Jason hit the nail on the head when he said that Farcaster’s future isn’t about bringing people to the platform itself but rather drawing them in through niche communities—whether that’s a group of candle aficionados, sports enthusiasts, or crypto geeks. You build a community around shared passions, and the social network will naturally follow. This is a shift in thinking that could define the next wave of Web3 growth.
Dev Day: A Turning Point
Dev Day hosted by Farcaster seemed to reinforce the optimism. The buzz coming out of the event was palpable, with attendees feeling invigorated and excited about what’s next. There’s a sense that the platform is doubling down on the right priorities: mini-apps, channels, and turning communities into the driving force behind growth.
Jason highlighted this by saying, “We’re not just focused on growth anymore; we’re focused on quality growth—engagement that sticks, experiences that matter. When communities grow strong, the network follows.”
The focus is on quality over quantity—building features that support engagement, not just attracting users but keeping them engaged in meaningful ways. If you’ve ever wondered why certain platforms flourish while others fade, it’s often because of this kind of intentional development. The Farcaster team is listening, and they’re pivoting where needed to create something lasting and significant.
Gramajo chimed in, “Even if the degen and frames wave has passed, Farcaster is still the best bet for building in the onchain space. There’s simply nothing else like it, and we’re seeing the right steps being taken to ensure it has a bright future.”
There’s a renewed energy within the developer community, too. For those of you who build, now’s the time to get involved. We’ve seen that Farcaster is more than capable of supporting the creation of sustainable ecosystems—platforms like Moxie are proof of that. And as engagement continues to grow, so will the opportunities for those willing to take the plunge.
The Real Bet: Focused Growth and the Power of Community
At the end of the day, the lesson is clear: growth in Web3 isn’t linear. It ebbs and flows, and the key to staying relevant is to ride the waves and pivot when necessary. We’re seeing it happen in real-time with Farcaster and platforms like it. The smart bet isn’t just on a piece of technology, but on the communities and ecosystems that spring up around it.
We’re living in a time where passion projects like handcrafted candles can sit side by side with cutting-edge tech like Farcaster, and in some ways, they share the same DNA. Both are about crafting something with care, building an experience, and creating a space for people to connect—whether it’s through the scent of a candle or a shared interest in decentralized social networks.
As we head deeper into fall, there’s plenty to look forward to. Whether it’s the joy of lighting a new candle or the excitement of building something on Farcaster, our community is rich with energy, ideas, and potential. Here’s to a season of deeper connections and continued growth.
The Essentials
Humankind Candles: Ready to step up your candle game? Check out the link at the top to snag one of Samantha’s luxurious creations and treat yourself to an elevated experience.
Farcaster & Web3 Communities: Whether you’re building or just exploring, Farcaster’s community is thriving. Dive in now while the platform is at the tipping point of its next big leap.
Stay cozy, stay curious, and as always, stay connected.
—Early Morning Crew
Listen to the full recorded conversation on Tavern:
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Keep the conversation going in the /earlymorningcrew channel on Farcaster and RSVP to our next live event.
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