GM fellow Arweaver!
Explaining the features and benefits of permanent data storage can differ depending on who you’re talking to. Each individual has their own level of understanding. This week, we’re offering five different ways to approach a conversation when introducing Arweave to a friend.
Let's break it down.
Arweave explained in 5 degrees of difficulty 🧑🎓
Arweave offers a unique way to store digital data across space and time. It’s a captivating topic that takes you down endless rabbit holes, but the magic only happens once it clicks in your brain. And that all stems from clarity and understanding.
As the permaweb ecosystem continues to attract new participants, it’s our duty as Arweavers to help them grasp the fundamentals. But to be of true service, we first need to adjust our language to better match their circumstances and current understanding.
We’ve put together this fun 5-level explainer piece that you can use to help onboard new people to Arweave. Whether they’re just starting out or already deep into blockchain, they’ll soon see the advantage of permanent data storage.
Level 1
Imagine you have a box that holds all your drawings and notebooks. No matter what happens, they remain safe in that box permanently. Arweave works similarly, except this box is not a physical object but a collection of computers spread all around the world.
The computers can hold things like pictures, stories, and videos so that people can continue to see them a long, long time from now. Most importantly, nobody can take those items out of the computers, so your precious items are always safe.
Level 2
Think of Arweave as a public library for the internet, but rather than lending out books, it stores data like websites, photos, and other digital records and information. Once something gets added to this library, it stays there permanently.
This library operates as a global network of computers, owned by different individuals, making it very hard for data to disappear or be deleted. It’s an excellent place to store information that matters, for now and for future generations.
Using this storage system for internet data means no more vanishing websites or broken page links.
Level 3
Arweave is a protocol designed to store large amounts of data. It uses a blockchain-style consensus mechanism to achieve this. A global community of hardware operators maintains this data and earns rewards in Arweave’s native $AR token for doing so.
Thanks to its decentralized architecture, no single authority has the power or ability to alter what is recorded on the ledger. This makes Arweave a perfect medium for storing academic research, public records, or even creative works, such as blog posts or digital art.
As we enter the era of advanced AI, transparent data records will become increasingly important.
Level 4
Arweave is a decentralized protocol designed to store data permanently. Its blockweave structure differs from traditional blockchains. Each new block contains the latest transactions, as well as a randomly chosen recall block from earlier in the chain.
Arweave’s consensus mechanism incentivizes miners to replicate and store as much data as possible. Not only does this ensure the permanence of data stored on the network, it also makes the network resilient to censorship and reliable across space and time.
Level 5
Arweave’s blockweave forms the backbone of a decentralized, censorship-resistant archive. Succinct Proofs of Random Access (SPoRA) ensure that data is stored and retrieved efficiently. In addition to this, bundling transactions allows the network to scale.
Storage fees are calculated upon a 200 year time horizon. The duration is expected to lengthen as storage costs decrease according to the Kryder+ rate model.
Around 365k $AR (0.6% of the total supply) is held in Arweave’s endowment fund, which serves to cover the cost of mining should it become uneconomic for node operators to support the network. Not only does this feature provide security, it also creates a deflationary effect on the network’s token, as nearly all of the supply is in free circulation.
ICYMI 👀
Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s been unfolding across Arweave and AO.
- Arweave 2.9.6 release notes
- Self-Sovereign GraphQL in every browser
- Arweave can help preserve older AI models
- Anyone Protocol completes HyperBEAM stage testing
The Longview Insider update 🔭
We just launched Granite, a feature-rich portfolio tracker to get insights into your permaweb holdings. Think of it as a homepage for the permaweb, with a newsfeed, network stats, and a customizable price simulator. The site is watch-only, meaning you don’t need to connect your wallet to see your holdings, and it doesn’t bother visitors with cookies or analytics.
Try it out at granite.holdings and let us know what you think. We’d love your feedback.
This week's community feature 🧑💻
Terence Reilly is creating interactive art web apps on Bazar. His first piece, FLOCK, unfolds in three acts. See the asset on Bazar, where you can find out more about the three acts, and visit Terence’s site to interact with the live experience.
Thanks for reading!
If you know anyone else who would find this information and our insights helpful, please share this newsletter with them.
Follow us on X at @onlyarweave to stay updated on all things Arweave. Want to dive deeper into AO? Check out @aoComputerClub.
The Longview Team
This is not investment advice. No profit guarantees. If in the U.S., ensure compliance with U.S. laws and seek professional advice.