It is difficult for the average person to see the potential of blockchain tech, much less Ethereum. The mainstream will start using it, when its easy and they don't have to think. Many will not even care how it works. I have had months of sleepless nights studying ,reading, absorbing as much as I can. I found that reading the Science Fiction book that
@Ursium suggested "Daemon" is helping me further apply some of the theories in my head.
As another first... why not commission writers to build a literary Ethereum Sci Fi universe. Let visionary authors contemplate and put into writing the vision of future DAOs . This would help future and current generations spark creative ideas. Similar to 30,000 Leagues Under the Sea having probably inspired future engineers. Granted I think the manuscripts would need to be vetted by Ethereum but even negative subjects could possibility shine the light on potentially hazardous future outcomes of DAO behavior (like Daemon).
I can envision titles about space travel, gaming, combat, political sagas, etc. etc.
So many of the conversations in this forum could be viewed as Sci Fi... the crazy thing is that many of these ideas will be coming to fruition soon!
This marketing idea could just be endorsed by the Ethereum brand, this is something never been attempted before. Could a tech brand stand for other things? What is the true essence of Ethereum? Is it "just" next-generation distributed cryptographic ledger... I believe the brand will form on its own... but there things we can do to shape the brand. This could be one way.
Just my thoughts...
Comments
It's true that it will be hard to introduce to the masses the Ethereum idea/concept. Having writers from all over the world thinking, understanding and envisioning the future of the world and how it will affect Ethereum to it, is an amazing opportunity to have external points of view of how the world will be shaped and what we can expect -for the good or the bad- of DACs. Also, it can help to make ir more accesible and understandable to the general public -as well to inspire future creations- what is Ethereum and its consequences.
More than a commission basis, I will suggest to make a public competition (with some BTC/Ether rewards for the winners).
Actually, I'm thinking and envisioning the work of Buckminster Fuller evolved thanks to Ethereum. Buckminster Fuller was one of the great visionaries of the XXth century and most of his books seemed sci-fi: http://forum.ethereum.org/discussion/406/comprehensive-anticipatory-design-science-buckminster-fuller-s-approach-mixed-with-ethereum
I see this approach combined with fantastic graphic innovation a la Enthiran ( The Indian Robot Movie) as a wonderful inspiration. Visually I am a big fan of the movie Crash if smart contract cars are involved. Clearly identifying the end goal from the start is a must.
Another approach would be based on writer archetype modeling using writers like
James Ballard, Neal Stephenson, and/or William Gibson. I am not saying to pirate their styles but I am saying we need to analyze their styles to determine exactly why each of them appeals to the kind of audience we want to attract and how far their reach is across age demographics and cultures.
Beyond this the book/movie should be nerdy enough to satisfy the geeks but have enough WoW factors to pull in the main stream.
Perhaps a competition between human writers and prediction based automatic writing would be interesting, along the lines of Big Blue versus Kasparov.
As the idea progenitor, Gianni is the lead player. The question becomes whether and how other Ethereumites can participate and how their voices would be appropriately recognized <?>
Maybe part of the money raised from a fundraiser can be used for commissioning an SF writer. Cory Doctorow has written a story for Shuttleworth for $10k[1] so that's the kind of price range (although Cory himself has indicated he's "skeptical" about Bitcoin[2]).
[0] http://forum.ethereum.org/discussion/464/science-fiction-and-the-blockchain
[1] http://www.tor.com/blogs/2011/03/the-experiment-behind-cory-doctorows-with-a-little-help
[2] http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/1i36rw/were_a_few_of_the_authors_of_humble_ebook_bundle/cb0l0xc
There's potential for some rather mind-blowing storytelling ranging from utopia (globally decentralized voting, seasteading, post-scarcity society) to distopia through autonomous agents gone rogue (paperclip maximizer, Daniel Suarez daemon').
Also I feel close collaboration with the ethereum team is important to understand their plans.