Decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) in their current form are not scalable for mass adoption. While there are successful examples like PleasrDAO, Uniswap DAO, Synthetix’s group of DAOs, and Maker DAO, none of them have achieved widespread recognition. The main reason for this is that these DAOs are too focused on the crypto industry. We need a model for DAOs that goes beyond the crypto space.
To find inspiration, we can look at Burning Man, which can be seen as a DAO before DAOs were even coined. Burning Man is a global phenomenon that brings together people from various backgrounds. It offers an escape from traditional society and promotes a culture where money is not the driving force. Despite not using money during the event, Burning Man continues to grow every year.
One aspect of Burning Man that can be applied to DAOs is its organizational structure. While the nonprofit organization plans the city and ensures the festival’s success, the camps are free to offer services as long as they align with the event’s mission and values. This structure is similar to how certain DAOs, like Ukraine DAO and VitaDAO, operate. These DAOs have an overarching council that makes major decisions, while working groups have the freedom to operate within the DAO’s guidelines.
By drawing inspiration from Burning Man and adopting a similar structure, DAOs can move beyond the crypto industry and become examples of what future communities can be. Burning Man can be seen as a mini-network state, and DAOs can learn from its success in creating a highly aligned community with collective action.
To achieve widespread adoption, DAOs should focus on attracting audiences that can push their goals forward rather than only targeting those familiar with tokenomics. They should also consider incorporating physical events and festivals into their activities to engage a broader audience. By educating the masses and making DAOs more accessible, we can bridge the gap between the crypto industry and the rest of the world.
In conclusion, DAOs need better roads to reach the masses. Taking inspiration from Burning Man and creating a truly crypto Burning Man can help DAOs evolve into global movements that persist and grow for generations.