#blocktalk - Ryan X Charles of Yours.org

## #blocktalk Podcast Summary: Ryan X Charles of Yours.org

1. Narrative Summary:

This episode of #blocktalk features a deep dive into Yours.org, a social media platform built on Bitcoin with the goal of compensating content creators directly. Ryan X Charles, founder of Yours.org and formerly a cryptocurrency engineer at Reddit and BitPay, explains the platform's mission and the challenges of building a decentralized social media ecosystem. The conversation explores the reasons behind opting for angel funding over an ICO, highlighting legal concerns and the desire to focus on execution rather than fundraising. A significant portion of the discussion revolves around various content monetization models, including endorsement, purchase, and investment, each with its own potential benefits and drawbacks. Ryan emphasizes the advantages of leveraging Bitcoin’s existing infrastructure and community, contrasting it with the complexities of creating a new blockchain. Ultimately, the team is actively seeking user feedback and iterating on their approach to create a sustainable and rewarding platform for both creators and consumers.

2. Main Topics Discussed:

• Yours.org Overview: The platform's mission to compensate content creators with Bitcoin micro payments and its current development stage (micro payments wallet and social product).
• Funding Strategy: The decision to pursue angel funding instead of an ICO, citing legal concerns and a focus on execution.
• Bitcoin Ecosystem Advantage: The benefits of building on Bitcoin’s existing infrastructure versus creating a new blockchain.
• Content Monetization Models: Detailed exploration of three models: endorsement (users pay to endorse content, sharing profits), purchase (users pay to access specific content), and investment (users invest in content for a share of future revenue).
• Bitcoin Onboarding: Strategies for getting users to use Bitcoin on the platform, including earning through content creation, Coinbase integration, and eventually, paid advertising.
• Competitor Analysis: Discussion of a competitor ("Steam") and its issues with token distribution and whale control.
• User Feedback & Iteration: The importance of community feedback and ongoing product refinement.

3. Key Quotes:

• Ryan: "So what we're trying to do is we recognize there's a problem on social media, where a lot of people are making content, really good content, and not being paid anything."
• Ryan: "Our goal isn't to just raise as much money as possible. Our goal is to actually execute on our mission."
• Ryan: "I’m completely convinced some combination of content and payments will work and it’ll be huge.”

4. People Mentioned:

• Ryan X Charles (Founder of Yours.org)
• Alex (Podcast Host)
• Pagebly Silent
• Yishan (Former Reddit CEO)
• Clemens Lay (Yores Co-founder)
• Users of Steam (a competitor platform)

5. Bitcoin Prices:

No specific Bitcoin prices were mentioned during the podcast segments summarized.