As I look back on my experience with the Civics Unplugged community, I see a vivid example of how technology can be leveraged to foster the healthy development and growth of a network centered on gratitude and mutual support. And the key to this positive outcome was a unique, creative tool known as HeyTaco.
Civics Unplugged was not just another community. It was a diverse, vibrant network of hundreds, and eventually thousands, of high schoolers from across the globe. The challenge we faced was how to inspire these young minds, spread far and wide, to meaningfully interact and express gratitude towards one another.
This is where HeyTaco stepped into the picture.
HeyTaco is more than just a tool; it's a testament to the power of innovative technology in nurturing positive human values. It served as a daily reminder that each day offers new opportunities for us to appreciate the people in our lives.
The mechanism was simple yet impactful. Each member of Civics Unplugged had five 'tacos' to distribute every day, coupled with reasons for their gratitude. This distribution of 'tacos' was broadcasted throughout the community, serving as a continuous reminder of the gratitude being nurtured within our network.
In the Civics Unplugged community, the act of giving HeyTaco tacos represented the recognition of diverse contributions. Tacos were given for values-aligned community involvement like organizing online meetings; peer support such as helping others with complex civic concepts; taking the initiative, for instance, by launching impactful projects; demonstrating creativity in proposing innovative ideas; and showing resilience by bouncing back from project setbacks. The many reasons for giving tacos highlighted the myriad ways members enriched the community, fostering a robust culture of mutual support and gratitude.
HeyTaco was not merely a bot; it was a catalyst for change. It fostered an environment of positivity and recognition, setting a rhythm of gratitude that resonated with every interaction. It demonstrated how something as subtle as oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and trust, can be harnessed in such a unique and valuable way.
We humans are driven by more than just financial motives. We yearn for meaning, appreciation, a sense of belonging. And tools like HeyTaco exemplify how technology can nurture these elements. They demonstrate that communities flourish when their members feel seen, valued, and appreciated.
The oxytocin-based economy we were aiming to build is essentially about translating feelings of gratitude into a form of social currency. It's about utilizing technology and human-centric design to create an environment where every expression of thanks is not just heard but truly felt and valued.
Those who wish to build an oxytocin-based network, like the commendable team at ThreeFold, would benefit from the lessons we learned from HeyTaco and the Civics Unplugged community. These lessons highlight the importance of fostering gratitude and building a culture that values acknowledgment, rewards empathy, and cherishes mutual respect.
Building an oxytocin-based network is all about nurturing real human connections. My experience with Civics Unplugged and HeyTaco strongly reinforces my belief that technology, when used wisely, can play an integral role in this process. Civics Unplugged would not have had the culture it did if not for HeyTaco. I am confident of this.
Rather than hindering human connection, technology can amplify it, thereby serving as an invaluable aid in the creation and success of a community where gratitude and mutual support are at its core.