Internet Explorers

Is AI the breakthrough crypto needs? Or is it just in need of good UX? In this first episode of Internet Explorers for 2025, co-hosts Jess Sloss and Josh Cornelius are joined by Ben Roy and Nicholas for a wide-ranging exploration of the metas, tools, and ideas reshaping the Internet.

This episode covers:

• AI Agents as Proto-Corporations: Are we seeing the birth of a new organizational paradigm? Inspired by Scott Belsky's Cognicos, the team dives into AI-native coordination and its parallels to DAOs.
• Crypto's UX Problem: From confusing wallet setups to network hurdles, crypto adoption continues to struggle. Is 2025 the year this finally changes?
• The Fat Protocol vs. Fat Apps Debate: Exploring where value truly accrues as foundational models evolve and application layers innovate.
• Dream Time Theory: What if this moment is the internet's greatest inflection point? We reflect on Robin Hanson's idea of a generational turning point, shaped by transformative tech like crypto and AI.

Whether you're a builder, an AI skeptic, or just curious about the intersections of decentralized networks and artificial intelligence, this episode provides thoughtful insights into the possibilities—and challenges—of the year ahead.

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Big Questions for 2025
• 09:00 - Rabbit Holes from the Break
• 13:00 - AI as New Corporations
• 22:00 - Solving Crypto UX Woes
• 32:00 - Where's the Value: Protocols vs. Apps
• 36:00 - Dream Time: An Inflection Point
• 42:00 - Personal Brands in AI Economies
• 48:00 - Reimagining Coordination on-Chain
• 54:00 - Future of Networked Incentives
• 60:00 - Closing Reflections on Focus

Internet Explorers is a weekly rundown show where extremely online individuals broadly explore (romanticize, even) new consumer internet experiences.

Join us⁠ live on Twitter/X, Fridays 10am PT / 1pm ET.

Seed Club Twitter: https://x.com/seedclubhq

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/internet-explorers/id1756599282

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iJk3xZoij7pVhlNbTP9qS?si=4cda0ac044dc4c6a

Pods.media: https://pods.media/internet-explorers

Agents can "think" and talk... but they're confined in a carefully crafted world.

In episode #59 of Internet Explorers, Jess and Josh dive into a diverse lineup of topics, beginning with DXRG, an experimental AI and crypto project redefining how decentralized systems can drive creative expression. They explore its groundbreaking first drop, "The Singularity," which used onchain prompts and live-streamed AI agents to create a uniquely interactive experience.

The discussion shifts to Aethernet, where they check in on one of the earliest AI agents in crypto, reflecting on its impact and lessons learned. The hosts then tackle the debate around "Tokens Aren't Equity", exploring the limitations of viewing tokens as traditional financial instruments and what that means for the future of crypto. They also highlight Tokenize/acc, discussing its potential to accelerate funding mechanisms for unconventional crypto experiments.

The episode wraps up with Mozi, a new app trying to make "social" social again, by showing which of your friends are going to the same event as you.

0:00 - Intro 0:56 - Start of Episode 3:16 - DXRG 26:45 - Aethernet 43:05 - Tokens Aren't Equity 48:00 - tokenize/acc 54:34 - Mozi

Internet Explorers is a weekly rundown show where extremely online individuals broadly explore (romanticize, even) new consumer internet experiences.

Join us⁠ on Twitter/X, Fridays 10am PT / 1pm ET

Seed Club Twitter: https://x.com/seedclubhq Internet Explorers Twitter: https://x.com/intrntexplorers Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iJk3xZ... Pods.media: https://pods.media/internet-explorers

Will your favorite jpeg be worth 3 lambos?

In episode #58 of Internet Explorers, Jess and Josh cover the most exciting trends in crypto. The episode kicks off with a deep dive into Derek's insights on the evolution of NFTs and cryptoassets, exploring how they are shaping markets, art, and culture. The group reflects on Bitcoin's recent historic $100K milestone, analyzing its implications for market sentiment.

The hosts then look ahead to 2025, discussing trends in AI, new consumer products, and the shift toward verifiable autonomy in blockchain systems. They explore Seed Club's emerging thesis on compounding value in an ephemeral world, examining how long-term vision and belief can drive sustainable growth in decentralized ecosystems. Later, they emphasize the importance of adopting a "just launch" mindset for builders navigating emerging markets.

The episode wraps up with a look at the World app, highlighting its potential as a gateway for onboarding users to blockchain-powered tools and decentralized applications.

Intro - 0:00 Start of Episode - 0:39 Derek - 2:39 100k BTC - 27:59 31:26 - Looking to 2025 45:35 - Compounding Value In AN Ephemeral World 52:35 - Just Launch 57:46 - World App

Internet Explorers is a weekly rundown show where extremely online individuals broadly explore (romanticize, even) new consumer internet experiences.

Join us at ⁠live.seedclub.xyz⁠ on Fridays 10am PT / 1pm ET

Seed Club Twitter: https://x.com/seedclubhq Internet Explorers Twitter: https://x.com/intrntexplorers Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iJk3xZ... Pods.media: https://pods.media/internet-explorers

Finally, we know who the top trader is.

In episode #57 of Internet Explorers, Jess and Josh delve into some of the most intriguing trends shaping Web3 and crypto. They kick things off with Interface, a platform that merges social networking with the blockchain, enabling users to build their social graph by copy-trading wallets and forming reputation-driven connections directly on-chain. The hosts reflect on the challenges and successes of developing consumer-focused blockchain products during a bear market and how Interface is carving out a niche with its discovery and trading features.

The conversation then shifts to tokenomics, focusing on the evolution from complex whitepapers to meme-driven token launches. They explore the balance between capturing early belief and building utility over time, emphasizing the need for sustainability in token models. Other key topics include Capital Formation in the Reputation Era, where they examine how on-chain reputation is reshaping funding models, and Model Personality as a Moat, which highlights the growing role of AI in defining unique business defensibilities.

The episode concludes with updates on Base's resurgence and an exciting Lightning Round, featuring a creative vampire attack idea.

0:00 - Intro 0:26 - Start of Episode 4:09 - Interface 28:24 - Checking in on Tokenomics 39:53 - Capital Formation in the Reputation Era 47:48 - Model Personality as a Moat 52:40 - Base is Back 54:20 - A Stroll Through Consumer Crypto 55:52 - Lightning Round

Internet Explorers is a weekly rundown show where extremely online individuals broadly explore (romanticize, even) new consumer internet experiences.

Join us at ⁠live.seedclub.xyz⁠ on Fridays 10am PT / 1pm ET

Seed Club Twitter: https://x.com/seedclubhq Internet Explorers Twitter: https://x.com/intrntexplorers Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iJk3xZ... Pods.media: https://pods.media/internet-explorers

Tyler is putting Science back into the hands of the people.

In episode #56 of Internet Explorers, Jess and Josh explore the forefront of decentralized science (DeSci) with Tyler from Triplicate, unpacking how blockchain is unlocking new funding models, democratizing research, and enabling cutting-edge projects like molecular therapeutics and patient-driven clinical trials. They analyze how these decentralized approaches are breaking free from the constraints of traditional institutions and incentivizing innovation in unexpected ways.

The discussion shifts to distribution-first software, a paradigm focused on leveraging social networks and decentralized platforms to maximize reach and adoption before building standalone products. They also examine the concept of Moats in the age of AI, debating whether traditional business defensibility strategies hold up in a world of open-source models and rapidly evolving technologies. Later, they reflect on the growing presence of normies in degen crypto spaces, and the unhinged activities occurring on pump.fun (jess is scared).

The episode concludes with ai16z drama, reflecting on how it's more difficult it is to build when a token is involved.

0:00 - Intro 1:08 - Start of Episode 4:26 - DeSci 37:07 - Distribution-First Software 42:38 - Moats In The Age Of AI 49:32 - The Normies Are Here 54:48 - ai16z Drama

Internet Explorers is a weekly rundown show where extremely online individuals broadly explore (romanticize, even) new consumer internet experiences.

Join us at ⁠live.seedclub.xyz⁠ on Fridays 10am PT / 1pm ET

Seed Club Twitter: https://x.com/seedclubhq Internet Explorers Twitter: https://x.com/intrntexplorers Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iJk3xZ... Pods.media: https://pods.media/internet-explorers

Capturing social attention for your token has never been easier.

In episode #55 of Internet Explorers, Jess and Josh take another dive into frontier of innovation in crypto. The episode kicks off with Proxy Studio, where founder Alex discusses their new project, Clanker Studio, which combines social interactions with token deployments, reshaping how tokens are launched by natively integrating the process with Farcaster.

The conversation then shifts to Web4, exploring AGI's potential to merge the financial foundations of Web3 with the social frameworks of Web2. They also discuss ai16z, a groundbreaking fund combining AI and decentralized technologies, and Interface, a portfolio company rethinking how crypto wallets can drive adoption through seamless user experiences. The hosts explore Hyperliquid, a new protocol simplifying liquidity solutions, and analyze recent trends in Gen Z app usage and its implications for Web3 adoption.

The episode concludes with a quick Lightning Round, featuring Peace bullying an AI agent (he definitely won't ever regret this).

0:00 - Intro 0:57 - Start of Episode 4:22 - Proxy Studio 29:20 - Web4 36:03 - ai16z 42:48 - Interface 46:58 - Hyperliquid 50:15 - Gen Z App Usage 56:32 - Lightning Round

Internet Explorers is a weekly rundown show where extremely online individuals broadly explore (romanticize, even) new consumer internet experiences.

Join us at ⁠live.seedclub.xyz⁠ on Fridays 10am PT / 1pm ET

Seed Club Twitter: https://x.com/seedclubhq Internet Explorers Twitter: https://x.com/intrntexplorers Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iJk3xZ... Pods.media: https://pods.media/internet-explorers

Your runway dreams might be closer than you think.

In episode #54 of Internet Explorers, Jess and Josh cover a mix of crypto's latest innovations, starting with Xhibit, a platform merging fashion and immersive content, allowing creators to upload outfits or designs for fans to try on virtually. They explore how Xhibit's creative model is reshaping digital expression and community engagement within the blockchain space.

The conversation then shifts to $DEGEN, diving into its memecoin culture and the wild success it's seeing on social media, reflecting the powerful influence of community-driven tokens. Kel then joins as a guest, discussing the evolving decentralized ecosystem, as well as new methods for enhancing user experiences. Later, Jess and Josh tackle the question, "What Are We Looking For?," analyzing the traits Seed Club seeks in emerging projects and market opportunities.

Jess & Josh then talk about a Polymarket whale that used the "Neighbor Method" to predict election results, and wrap up the episode with a lightning round.

0:00 - Intro 1:01 - Start of Podcast 3:24 - Xhibit 16:34 - $DEGEN 25:45 - Kel 47:11 - What Are We Looking For? 53:33 - Polymarket Whale 56:17 - Lightning Round

Internet Explorers is a weekly rundown show where extremely online individuals broadly explore (romanticize, even) new consumer internet experiences.

Join us at ⁠live.seedclub.xyz⁠ on Fridays 10am PT / 1pm ET

Seed Club Twitter: https://x.com/seedclubhq Internet Explorers Twitter: https://x.com/intrntexplorers Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iJk3xZ... Pods.media: https://pods.media/internet-explorers

What if AI wasn't "stealing" from artists?

In Episode #53 of Internet Explorers, Jess and Josh kick off with a deep dive into Spawning.AI with Mat Dryhurst. They discuss how Spawning.AI has used public domain images to create PD12M, a dataset of over 30 terabytes of public domain images for AI models, and other developments Spawning has made.

The hosts then dive into Cheryl's article featured in ETH Investors Club's EIC03, "In Hot Pursuit Of A Dramatically More Interesting Internet". Next, Jess & Josh cover Decentralized Agentic Organizations, highlighting how agents could streamline and automate DAO functions, reshaping governance in the process.

Jess and Josh also unpack the "fat wallet thesis," explaining its implications for crypto adoption and ecosystem loyalty. They then discuss yet another major project moving to the Solana blockchain, sparking a broader conversation on network choice.

The episode wraps up with a Lightning Round, covering some recent developments in our space.

0:00 - Intro 1:00 - Start of Podcast 4:40 - Spawning.AI 33:29 - A Dramatically More Interesting Internet 41:51 - Decentralized Agentic Organizations 51:26 - Fat Wallet Thesis 54:52 - Another Solana Announcement 58:40 - Lightning Round

Internet Explorers is a weekly rundown show where extremely online individuals broadly explore (romanticize, even) new consumer internet experiences.

Join us at ⁠live.seedclub.xyz⁠ on Fridays 10am PT / 1pm ET

Seed Club Twitter: https://x.com/seedclubhq Internet Explorers Twitter: https://x.com/intrntexplorers Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/internet-explorers/id1756599282 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iJk3xZoij7pVhlNbTP9qS Pods.media: https://pods.media/internet-explorers

In episode #52 of Internet Explorers, Jess and Josh cover an exciting lineup of topics that highlight emerging Web3 projects and AI integration. They start with Wayfinder with Kalos, a platform bringing AI-powered agents to blockchain, where users can deploy agents to complete complex tasks autonomously across networks. The hosts also discuss Virtuals with Matthew, a protocol where users can create autonomous AI influencers with decentralized ownership, illustrating the growth of AI and blockchain convergence.

The episode then introduces Plastic Labs with Courtland, Plastic Labs' co-founder, which recently created a splash with a tool that attracted significant attention in the meme coin world, highlighting its unexpected success and the hype surrounding agent-driven coin launches. Wrapping up, the hosts launch into a Lightning Round, covering the latest updates and trends in the crypto and AI spaces, including new use cases and projects shaping the future of decentralized technology.

0:00 - Intro 0:42 - Start of Podcast 3:37 - Wayfinder w/ Kalos 19:38 - Virtuals w/ Matthew 36:26 - Plastic Labs w/ Courtland Leer 51:03 - Lightning Round

Internet Explorers is a weekly rundown show where extremely online individuals broadly explore (romanticize, even) new consumer internet experiences.

Join us at ⁠live.seedclub.xyz⁠ on Fridays 10am PT / 1pm ET

Seed Club Twitter: https://x.com/seedclubhq Internet Explorers Twitter: https://x.com/intrntexplorers Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/internet-explorers/id1756599282 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iJk3xZoij7pVhlNbTP9qS Pods.media: https://pods.media/internet-explorers

In episode #51 of Internet Explorers, Jess and Nicholas dive into Moxie, a financial protocol on Farcaster that allows users to create fan tokens and earn rewards through engagement, with Moxie's founder, betashop.eth. They explore how Moxie is reshaping decentralized social economies and becoming one of the most used protocols on the Base blockchain.

The hosts also take a deep dive into Comm with Comm's founder, Ashoat. Comm is a privacy-first messaging app built to compete with giants like Discord and Telegram, offering a more secure, decentralized way for communities to connect with the unique ability to host your own keyservers - meaning only your community can read your data.

The discussion then shifts to WorldCoin's rebrand and big event, where they break down the potential impact of biometric identity verification and its role in the future of decentralized finance. They also touch on the growing trend of AI Memecoins and what the recent a16z State of Crypto Report reveals about the current health and trajectory of the industry.

The episode wraps up with a fast-paced Lightning Round, covering the $DJT Token, the Praxis project, and why ZkTLS could be having its big breakthrough moment, merging web2 APIs with web3.

0:00 - Intro 0:49 - Start of Podcast 2:31 - Moxie 16:44 - Comm 27:12 - Worldcoin 38:07 - AI Memecoins 46:07 - A16z's State of Crypto Report 48:59 - Lightning Round 49:03 - $DJT 51:55 - Praxis 55:02 - ZkTLS

Internet Explorers is a weekly rundown show where extremely online individuals broadly explore (romanticize, even) new consumer internet experiences.

Join us at ⁠live.seedclub.xyz⁠ on Fridays 10am PT / 1pm ET

Seed Club Twitter: https://x.com/seedclubhq Internet Explorers Twitter: https://x.com/intrntexplorers Apple Music: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/internet-explorers/id1756599282 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6iJk3xZoij7pVhlNbTP9qS Pods.media: https://pods.media/internet-explorers