Innovative Developments at mtnDAO: The Rise of Blurts
SALT LAKE CITY — The mtnDAO hacker house has become a hotbed for software developers, particularly those involved in the burgeoning world of cryptocurrency. Many attendees are focused on building projects that will support their venture capital-backed crypto companies. However, T.J. Littlejohn, a veteran of this unique event, has taken a different path. He is not just building for investors; he is building for himself and the community.
During the latest edition of mtnDAO, T.J. used a few weeks of collaborative coding and a significant amount of ZYN energy shots to create a new product called Blurt. This innovative tool provides a crypto-powered alternative for live streamers, enabling them to receive donations from their viewers in cryptocurrency. This development is particularly significant as it builds upon a Solana innovation known as blinks, introduced earlier this year, which simplifies interaction with cryptocurrency—making it as easy as a click on a tweet.
Before the mtnDAO event commenced in August, Blurts was merely an idea. Now, with only a few days remaining before the developers clear out of the downtown Salt Lake City WeWork until February, the project has transformed into a fully functional application. This rapid development highlights the effectiveness of the hacker house model, which encourages participants to show up and build without any predefined agenda.
The hosts of mtnDAO, Barrett and Edgar Pavlovsky, are more focused on fostering an environment conducive to creativity and innovation than on the specific outcomes of the projects. They provide free lunches, workspace, and promotional material, creating a supportive atmosphere that allows developers to focus on their work. Occasionally, they invest seed capital in the most promising projects that emerge from this collaborative environment.
Understanding Blurts and Their Functionality
Blurts are built on the blinks framework, a relatively new standard that allows users to access and execute blockchain programs directly through the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). A well-coded blinks program can create a mini-app within X, enabling users to perform various functions, such as trading cryptocurrencies, without having to navigate away from the social media platform.
In the case of Blurts, this means that viewers can send cryptocurrency donations to their favorite streamers directly from the streaming interface. T.J. explained, “That’s a big thing with blinks: It keeps the viewer in the content of the stream while they donate.” As a streamer himself, T.J. understands the importance of minimizing distractions during the viewing experience. He humorously noted his competitive edge in Fortnite, stating, “I generally beat the five-year-olds, but the 12-year-olds are where I struggle.”
Currently, Blurts are only compatible with X, but T.J. has confirmed that Dialect, the creator of blinks, plans to expand the functionality to Twitch, where millions of gamers and content creators monetize their streams. This expansion could significantly increase the potential user base for Blurts, allowing more streamers to benefit from crypto donations.
The Collaborative Spirit of mtnDAO
T.J. attributes the success of Blurts to the collaborative environment fostered at mtnDAO. “I probably wouldn’t have shipped this if I was just home,” he remarked, emphasizing the energy and motivation derived from being surrounded by other builders. At its peak, the WeWork space was bustling with around 70 developers, all focused on their respective projects.
This collaborative workspace offers practical advantages as well. Representatives from Dialect were present to assist T.J. with the complexities of deploying his application on the blinks platform. Additionally, employees from TipLink, another startup focusing on crypto payments, provided insights on streamlining the wallet onboarding process using users’ Google accounts.
“Being able to shoot the sh*t with people and bounce ideas off of everyone and show prototypes every step of the way” was invaluable, T.J. noted. This level of interaction not only accelerates the development process but also fosters a sense of community among developers, which can lead to unexpected collaborations and innovations.
Conclusion: The Future of Blurts and the mtnDAO Community
As the mtnDAO event comes to a close, the future of Blurts remains uncertain. While T.J. has not committed to making it his full-time endeavor, the potential for growth is undeniable. The project is emblematic of the hacker house’s mission: to create an environment where creativity and collaboration lead to real-world applications that can transform industries.
The journey of Blurts is just beginning, and its success could inspire other developers to explore similar integrations of cryptocurrency into everyday platforms. As the crypto landscape continues to evolve, innovations like Blurts may play a crucial role in shaping the future of digital interactions and monetization for content creators.
