Chapter Zero : Era of SNS and Web3

Here's a long-form exploration in English about the dawn of the 2020s, particularly from 2020 to 2024, and how these years transformed personal engagement with technology and media:

The dawn of the 2020s, spanning from 2020 to 2024, marked a significant shift in my life, fundamentally altering how I interact with technology, media, and the broader digital landscape. This period was not just a transition; it was a renaissance of sorts, where the integration of social media (SNS) and Web3 technologies became pivotal in shaping my daily life and long-term interests.

From Gaming to Beyond

One of the most profound changes was my "escape from gaming." The era from 2015 to 2019 was heavily dominated by video games, much like how the years before were dominated by anime, YouTube, and manga. Games were not just pastimes; they were cultural phenomena, a lens through which I viewed and interacted with the world. However, as we moved into the 2020s, my relationship with gaming evolved dramatically. This wasn't just about reducing screen time; it was about redefining where my digital engagement would take me.

While I still watched YouTube, anime, and read manga during the 2015-2019 period, the frequency and intensity of these activities had significantly decreased compared to the previous half-decade. This reduction was not due to a loss of interest but rather a shift in focus. The 2020s introduced me to a new digital ecosystem where the potential of social media and emerging technologies like Web3 offered novel ways to engage with communities, create content, and participate in digital economies.

The Advent of Social Media and Web3

Social media, during these years, transformed from being merely platforms for sharing life updates to becoming complex ecosystems where I could learn, invest, and even earn through various mechanisms like cryptocurrencies and NFTs. The integration of Web3 technologies meant that I could have ownership over digital assets, engage in decentralized finance, and participate in community-driven projects with real-world implications. This was a stark contrast to the more passive consumption of media in previous years.

The rise of platforms like Twitter (now known as X), Discord, and specialized forums allowed for a deeper, more interactive community experience. These platforms were not just about following creators or celebrities but about being part of a global conversation, influencing decisions, and even shaping the development of digital products or services.

Personal Evolution and Cultural Shifts

This era was also marked by a personal introspection influenced by global events. The early 2020s were times of unprecedented global change, with pandemics, economic shifts, and technological breakthroughs happening simultaneously. These events pushed me towards a more reflective use of technology, where I sought not just entertainment but enlightenment, connection, and sometimes, escape from the overwhelming news cycle.

The cultural shift was palpable. Where once my time was spent in virtual worlds of games, now it was invested in understanding and navigating real-world impacts through digital means. The educational aspect of my internet usage increased; I began to delve into topics like blockchain, privacy, digital rights, and the ethics of technology. This was my most exciting venture into the internet world, a journey that was not just about consuming content but about contributing to it, learning from it, and sometimes, challenging it.

Conclusion

The years from 2020 to 2024 didn't just change what I did online; they changed how I thought about technology's role in my life. The move away from gaming to embracing a broader, more interactive digital environment was not just a personal evolution but reflective of larger societal trends towards decentralization, community, and digital ownership. Looking back, these years were not just a dawn but a renaissance of digital engagement for me, setting the stage for what the rest of the decade might hold.