Welcome to the 44th edition of the hive community spotlight. In this edition I had the pleasure of interviewing @ecoinstant, a passionate advocate for sustainability and an innovative Hive user. With years of experience blending digital technology and sustainable practices, @ecoinstant has a unique perspective on Hive as an open-source tech stack and a platform for experimentation. Let’s delve into his journey, projects, and insights.
Who is @ecoinstant?
@ecoinstant is a passionate advocate for sustainable development and an early adopter of Hive’s potential as an open-source tech stack. Originally blogging on a self-managed platform, he transitioned to Hive (formerly STEEM) for its efficiency and community-focused ecosystem. Over the years, he has established projects like ECOBANK and Synergy Builders, which serve as frameworks for real-world development rooted in blockchain technology.
Interview Highlights
Here are a few highlights from today's interview:
Getting Started on Hive:
"When I discovered STEEM, I saw it as a hosting service I didn’t have to fight with, unlike updating WordPress. Hive continues to fill that role, allowing me to focus on sustainable development."On Hive’s Role in Sustainability:
"Hive doesn’t do things—people do. Hive supports me by hosting my content, and it should continue to support experimenters rather than limiting its focus."The Vision for ECOBANK:
ECOBANK bridges blockchain technology with sustainable development, offering a replicable framework for other enterprises. According to @ecoinstant, it has the potential to become one of Hive’s most impactful projects.Advice for Aspiring Advocates:
"Don’t start projects 'on Hive.' Start them in real life and document them here. Ignore unhelpful voices and focus on creating tangible solutions."
Keep reading, and learn more...
Words from Ecoinstant
Do an interview?
Ecoinstant's property 
I went through many thoughts about this, and took my time thinking. I feel very old and tired, especially with certain aspects of "HIVE", or what people think "HIVE" means; and getting 10 questions and realizing that I have agreed to write someone else's article about me for them, gave me some special chagrin.
But I do think I have something worthwhile to say, if anyone wants to take the time to read, so I have organized some of my ideas and backlinks for understanding.
My main thesis: HIVE is an open-source techstack; everything else is people.
Interview Q/A
How did you first get involved with Hive, and what drew you to the platform?
When we started our Homesteading Journey, I managed my own blog, on my own server for several years. When I discovered STEEM I immediately saw a hosting service that I didn't have to fight with to update wordpress every 6 months. HIVE continues to fill the same role in my life, as a technological framework on which I can explore and experiment with my interest in Sustainable Development.
What inspired you to focus on sustainable solutions, and how has Hive helped you on this journey?
Creating a framework for solutions is "my job". HIVE hosts my text.
How do you think Hive can play a role in promoting sustainable practices? Is there anything more the platform could be doing?
I don't think "HIVE" can do anything, only people can do things. The only thing HIVE can do is support me (or others) who are promoting sustainable practices, by hosting our content. "HIVE" people should be careful of cannibalizing their own users (experimenters) in such a way that HIVE is supporting only very few different things. "HIVE" people should support experimentation.
Can you explain the main mission of ECOBANK and what impact you hope it has on both Hive and the wider community?
The ECOBANK token and Ecobank Development Colombia SAS represent a unique way to bridge the digital token technology world with the "real" world of sustainable and profitable development. Check out the Roadmap Update, and our previous updates this year to learn more about the project.
I believe this project "could" (has the potential to be) a better use for HIVE than almost any of our current unicorns, and you can read more about some of those ideas here. Whether or not "my company" reaches its potential, the project is also a framework - one that can be openly copied by any number of enterprises.
What’s been the biggest challenge with ECOBANK so far, and how have you handled it?
The tension between having a great idea and making it possible, then having to manage it "for the rest of your life" leads to a complicated Project Life Cycle that interacts with the ups and downs of the crypto cycle. Its all too common to dev oneself into a corner and then run away.
Basically, coming off the previous bull cycle, I made myself an unpaid manager for about ~30,000 usd of other people's money, with which I bought a building. Much like HIVE it doesn't do anything but sit there and wait for me to do something with it.
This has of course caused some stress over the bear market, but we have a unique vision I am still interested in developing.
How did the Synergy Builders community come about, and what’s its main goal on Hive?
I used to use the Mancave community but then I made my own. There is no mystery to it, just another technical layer I have cloaked myself in. There is no mechanical benefit to posting in a community, but confer Metcalfe's Law. And yes, using my own empty community and referencing network effects is ironic.
You recently attended COP16—was there a moment or experience there that really strengthened your passion for sustainability?
My experience at COP16 in Cali, Colombia was filled with very interesting moments and I am working on editing a video about my experience. I made a lot of good contacts.
Can you tell us about the ARCHON project and the benefits it offers to Hive users?
ARCHON project was started by "TM", the disappearing dev, and he taught us a lot of lessons on agreeing yourself into unpaid work over long periods of time. Automation sounds great until, like the old wordpress blog, you realize that (blockchains especially) like to update themselves with hard and soft forks every so often that break everything everyone has ever built.
Because what he had built had become a curse for him, I now find myself in a position to work with other members of the ARCHON support community, to figure out what we can salvage. The dev may be gone but a large community of smaller community contests and content still remain, interested that "somebody do something" to fix what used to work.
You can read some of my posts about ARCHON, including Project LifeCycle and Any lesser token would be dead! Obviously I am working very hard to under-promise and overdeliver, mostly by not promising anything.
For others wanting to start sustainability projects on Hive, what advice would you share based on your own experiences?
Don't start anything "on" HIVE. Start something in real life and write about it on HIVE. Document everything you do, link your research (youtube, articles) and type out some of your notes. Ignore everyone (on HIVE or otherwise) who doesn't seem to be helpful.
Thank you so much @ecoinstant for sharing your journey and wisdom with us. Your practical insights and dedication to sustainability are inspiring. The Hive community is fortunate to have your innovative mind and your unwavering belief in real-world impact paired with digital tools.
Project and Community Highlights
ECOBANK:
A project designed to bridge blockchain and real-world sustainable development. Learn more through their Roadmap Update.Synergy Builders Community:
A community fostering sustainable development and collaboration. Read more about its inception here.ARCHON Project:
Despite challenges, the ARCHON token project continues to provide value to smaller Hive communities. Discover more in this analysis.
Conclusion
@ecoinstant’s journey underscores the importance of using Hive as a tool for documenting and amplifying real-world efforts. Their commitment to sustainability, combined with their open-source mindset, serves as a blueprint for others looking to make a difference.
Special thanks to:
@thekittygirl
@wesphilbin
@snook
For their valuable support. See you all in the next edition 🤗
View Previous interviews here 👇
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