When determining the value of a non-fungible token (NFT), there are two perspectives that one can take. The first is the investor’s perspective, in which an NFT’s value will be determined by how much profit you make when you sell it. In my opinion, this perspective is extremely limited and misses out on the true value of NFTs.
The other perspective is that of the NFT creator. Once you look at NFTs through the eyes of a creator, you realize that an NFT project is much more than a tool for packing, promoting, and selling artwork. Rather, an NFT project is a platform where important stories can be told and important concepts explored. It is a springboard for building community and finding support in difficult seasons; a place where transformation can happen and new beginnings can be launched.
When I shifted from investor to creator, I quickly discovered the power NFTs could bring to those working to overcome personal trauma.
Reshaping narratives with NFTs
When trauma — like that resulting from the tragic loss of a loved one — is unresolved, it can result in various conditions, including anxiety, depression, and addiction. Narrative therapy is an approach to addressing the trauma that has been shown to reduce its impact. In essence, narrative therapy allows you to reframe the traumatic experience, consider it from a different perspective, and transform the memories to be more manageable.
NFTs are a vehicle that can be used to give experiences new meaning, pursuing the same goals as traditional narrative therapy. As images that relate to traumatic experiences are explored and incorporated into NFT projects, they allow creators to address feelings in a new way, writing a new ending to an episode that was originally left unresolved. In some cases, images developed in dark times can symbolize hope for the creator and others with whom the project resonates.
The blockchain technology that NFTs are built upon empowers anyone to mint their story into an NFT collection. Opensea, Rarible, and other minting platforms enable anyone to create their own collections based on their personal experiences and make them available to the NFT marketplace.
In addition to serving as a storytelling tool, NFT collections also have an amazing potential for building a community around a vision or topic. The Dinomonks collection, for example, is a project launched to promote mental health and wellness. Its creators — all of whom have struggled with mental health issues — designed the NFTs to be inspiring images of stability and strength. Their ultimate vision is to build a community around NFTs where people can find education and support to overcome mental health issues.
Bringing together the power of storytelling with the innovative technology that NFTs represent allows for realizing something that I call “tell-to-earn.” By telling your story as an NFT collection, you earn more than the proceeds people may pay to support you. You also gain control over your narrative. Telling your story through NFTs gives you the power to transform your trauma into a project that can be used to empower yourself and others.
— Amit and Netta Aburman are the Co-Founders of the EyeSeeYou Project, which utilizes NFTs to fund philanthropic efforts to assist those suffering from eating disorders. After spending many years in the Cryptocurrency and NFT spaces, working in the Financial Tech industries, and handling many projects from the investor’s point-of-view, Amit sought to position himself as a creator — re-imagining what is possible within our ever-changing, digital landscape. EyeSeeYou is the first of many projects he tackles in that role.