🪶Abstract

Emerging Technology Can Be a Powerful Tool for Good

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, the prevalence of social media and constant online interaction has created a paradoxical environment where disconnection thrives amidst a sea of virtual connections. Although technology has undeniably bridged gaps and brought people closer together, it has also inadvertently contributed to a decline in the quality of face-to-face interactions and meaningful relationships. As human beings, we are wired to connect, and research highlights the importance of social connections for our overall well-being, both mentally and physically. Engaging in shared, meaningful human experiences brings intrinsic value and satisfaction to our lives.

As society grapples with the challenge of maintaining authentic social connections in the age of technology, innovative ideas have emerged to counteract the negative consequences of digital dependence. One such groundbreaking concept involves incentivising human connection through blockchain technology, shifting the focus from PFP NFTs and speculative investing to fostering social connections that improve mental health, well-being, and community building. By leveraging the potential of emerging technologies for meaningful purposes, we can strive to create a more balanced, connected world that values and nurtures human connections while embracing technological advancements. This paper illustrates how PairedWorld, an innovative Proof of IRL Human Connection Protocol, leverages emerging technology to facilitate and reward positive real-life engagement, laying the foundation for building stronger communities and support systems that lead to happier and ultimately healthier lives.

Disconnection in the age of connection. We are missing each other. In the era of technology and social networking, where constant online social interaction is readily available, we face the potential loss of meaningful social connections. Despite the ease of having unlimited connections at our fingertips, the quality and depth of these connection and our ability to fully engage with others are at risk. The research is clear: low social connections can have startlingly negative consequences on our social, emotional, and even physical health.

“The quality and quantity of individuals' social relationships has been linked not only to mental health but also to both morbidity and mortality” - Prof. Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad , Social Relationships and mortality risk: a meta analytic review

Human Beings Are Wired to Connect Human beings are naturally designed to seek out and establish social connections with others. Research from a variety of disciplines, including neuroscience, psychology and behavioural economics, has shown that social connections are crucial for our overall well-being, impacting both our physical and mental health.

Social connections provide us with a sense of belonging, support, and companionship, contribute to our emotional stability and can reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. In terms of physical health, strong social connections have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancers. They can also help to improve immune function and increase lifespan. Emerging Technology Can Be a Powerful Tool for Good While technology serves as a means of connecting with others, our dependence on it has caused us to sacrifice the value of face-to-face interactions. To enhance our social connections, it is important to find a way to effectively utilise technology to facilitate in-person relationships. If used for good, technology can enable relationships that thrive on interactions and connected experiences that lift people emotionally for a more bonded experience.

“People who have rich social lives live longer, live happier and live healthier” - Paul J. Zak, PhD

Prioritising Human Connection and Data Security through Blockchain Technology Modern social media, while promoting connectivity, frequently eclipses genuine human relationships. This arises from two major issues. First, user data, often private, is controlled by profit-oriented corporations, risking privacy breaches. Second, users' fragmented digital identities across multiple accounts compromise the authenticity of connections and spread misinformation. Blockchain technology can remedy these concerns by preserving data security and maintaining unique user identities through a decentralised system.

Utilising blockchain technology, Paired World solves these issues by establishing a unique digital identity for each user to facilitate equitable participation and face-to-face interactions. This system bridges the digital and physical realms, fostering authentic relationships, preserving data privacy, and addressing the solitude paradox within our hyper-connected society. The result is an environment where human connections are genuine, fair, secure, and amplified. Participation In Shared Meaningful Human Experiences Drives Intrinsic Value Participation in shared, meaningful human experiences is a significant source of intrinsic value for individuals. Research has shown that people derive a great deal of personal satisfaction from participating in experiences that not only involve others but also hold personal significance. These types of shared experiences can create lasting memories and emotional connections that can provide a sense of belonging, purpose and fulfilment, and intrinsic value, not derived from external sources but from within the individual.

“The clearest message that we get from this 85-year study is this: Good relationships keep us happier and healthier.” - Prof. Dr. Robert Waldinger, Director Harvard Study of Adult Development

Rewarding Live Human Connection via Blockchain is Novel Idea Incentivising human connection through blockchain technology is a groundbreaking concept. The idea of using blockchain to create a reputation-based token that rewards and encourages social connections for the betterment of mental health, overall well-being, and community building is innovative. As the industry's focus transitions from exclusively using Web3 for PFP NFTs and speculative investing, a technological shift that acknowledges the boundless possibilities of emerging technologies and aims to apply them for a significant cause is essential. This could transform the perception of what technology is capable of and its role in our lives.

Overcoming Interoperability Obstacles In the blockchain landscape, interoperability presents a considerable obstacle, as existing barriers between chains impede seamless interactions, limiting collaboration and engagement among community groups. This hindrance curtails the potential for cultivating stronger communities, support systems, and networks that could otherwise flourish in an interconnected environment. Overcoming the challenge of interoperability is crucial for harnessing the full potential of blockchain technology and fostering a more collaborative, unified space. By bridging the gaps between chains and enabling smooth communication, we can pave the way for more innovative solutions, the emergence of resilient, interconnected networks that empower individuals and communities alike and ultimately drive the growth and success of the blockchain ecosystem as a whole.

Finding Web3's Soul - A Human-Centric Shift The emphasis on financial assets and insufficient representation of social identity and reputation has resulted in limitations within the Web3 space, causing individuals to be viewed as mere financial holding accounts, lacking a personal touch. In response, Vitalik Buterin, Glen Weyl, and Puja Ohlhaver introduced Soulbound Tokens (SBTs), aiming to shift the paradigm towards a more human-centric approach. SBTs have the potential to extend decentralisation principles to authentic human relationships and communities by making tokens non-transferable, encapsulating an individual's identity within the Web3 space. In essence, SBTs resolve the reputation paradox - was it earned or bought? If a token can be easily transferred, individuals without a reputation can simply purchase it, thereby reducing the token's capacity to serve as a reputation signal. This groundbreaking development in the ecosystem prompts a reevaluation of our roles in Web3, as SBTs highlight the significance of non-financial contributions to communities, encompassing achievements, abilities, friendships, relationships, and memberships across various groups. As a result, SBTs possess the potential to transform the way we interact, promoting the growth and governance of communities in a more human-oriented manner.