The dynamic and ever-evolving NFT space has witnessed its fair share of market cycles, controversies, and shifts in culture. Amidst the speculation and financial gains, NFTs have proven to hold deeper significance, transcending art and money. A unique culture has emerged within the NFT space, one that thrives on goodwill and camaraderie despite occasional scams and selfish behavior.
Recently, multidisciplinary artist Jack Butcher reminded the metaverse of the true power of NFT culture. By launching an open edition as a tribute to the influential NFT commentator, ThreadGuy, Butcher ignited a fervor that has taken the NFT space by storm, with a rallying cry of “for the culture.”
opepen threadition
for provenance purposes only, and to redirect some economic energy to a massive contributor to this ecosystem
0.001 (~$2)
all proceeds to @notthreadguy
↓https://t.co/CAgkKSXc5g pic.twitter.com/H9wzKz6nLT
— Jack Butcher (@jackbutcher) July 16, 2023
The Journey of Opepen and Bored Elon Those acquainted with the NFT space are likely familiar with Butcher’s Opepen project, which gained popularity as a follow-up to Checks, featuring 60-minute mints released through a series of drops. Opepen quickly evolved into a Pepe the Frog-inspired collection, attracting a dedicated following and gaining influence in the NFT market.
During this time, a collector known as Bored Elon (B.E.) emerged as the top holder of Opepen NFTs, passionately believing in its significance to NFT culture. On July 11, under the account Bored Opepen, B.E. offered ThreadGuy, the influential NFT influencer, a first edition Opepen in exchange for his highly-regarded Mutant Ape PFP. While ThreadGuy appreciated the gesture, he declined the offer due to his attachment to the Mutant Ape avatar.
What you've witnessed over the last few days between @notthreadguy and @opepenedition is what I call a "friendly vampire attack." A non-zero sum way of cross pollinating two completely different communities, with both welcoming each others members into their domain.
— Bored Opepen (@BoredOpepen) July 15, 2023
Butcher’s Act of Kindness As discussions around ThreadGuy’s avatar continued, Butcher, the creator of the NFTs involved, stepped in with an act of kindness. On July 13, Butcher revealed a customized Opepen edition specially crafted for ThreadGuy, using ThreadGuy’s Mutant Ape colorways in his signature geometric style. This gesture prompted ThreadGuy to change his long-standing PFP, and a 3,600-attendee Twitter Space event celebrated the moment.
A Frenzy of Derivatives The NFT community responded with enthusiasm, creating countless stylized versions of Opepen in support of the act of kindness. Notably, artist and developer Jalil, who collaborates with Butcher on Visualize Value, contributed several unique pieces inspired by Opepen.
The Opepen Threadition To further the momentum, Butcher launched an open edition collection called the Opepen Threadition on July 16. Priced at 0.001 ETH (~$2) each, the Threadition allowed anyone to participate and contribute to the cause. All proceeds from the sale were allocated to ThreadGuy as a way to thank him for his valuable contributions to the Web3 community and redirect some economic energy back to him.
“For the Culture” Trend and Benevolent Impact The events surrounding Bored Elon, ThreadGuy, and Jack Butcher had a profound impact on the NFT space, emphasizing the spirit of camaraderie and generosity. The tagline “for the culture” trended as discussions centered on Butcher’s goodwill and the friendly nature of the NFT community.
This episode highlighted the importance of creators being compensated for their contributions in the NFT space. It also showcased the community’s eagerness to embrace the true essence of NFTs and the shared values of camaraderie and creativity.
The Opepen Threadition exemplifies the potential for small gestures of caring and support to uplift the NFT community. As NFT culture evolves, the significance of collective goodwill and generosity continues to shape the vibrant and dynamic landscape of Web3. The spirit of camaraderie and the celebration of creativity propel the NFT space forward, transcending mere art and money, and reinforcing the values that unite the Web3 community.
