Issue 1: Something is Happening...

Jan 06, 2022

While it may seem like nothing more than an amalgam of GIFs and JPEGs on Reddit, memes and its associated subject matter, known as memetics, can be traced as far back as the 1970s. Particularly notable was a mention in Richard Dawkins 1976 book "The Selfish Gene", where Dawkins referenced it "as a unit of cultural information".

In the ensuing years, the core tenets of memes, being cultural ideas or symbols that can spread from one mind to another, hasn't changed. But with the exponential rise of technology, not all memes are created equal.

Although some are localised to a specific niche or forum, others coalesce through forgotten and highly-trafficked fragments of the web to transcend generational differences, and perhaps even time itself. With a deep history of 15 years, Dickbutts are one such example.

Despite the fact that its creator K.C. Green distanced himself from the meme, the impact of Dickbutts has only strengthened with the latest NFT iteration on Ethereum.

With that said, understanding the essence of a CryptoDickbutt and its significance to preserving the ethos of Web3 can be a never-ending rabbit hole for both veteran degen and newcomers alike. Hence the reason and purpose for this newsletter - lovingly titled the Gooch Gazette.

Content Structure:

As mentioned in our prior overview, the newsletter's content will explore definitive traits of CryptoDickbutts and the culture it represents. Although the focus of each issue will vary, readers can generally expect to find a combination of:

Features on Community Members: Be it protocol, dApp, NFT, or DAO - one infallible component to web3 is the people involved. In our discord, we don't just acknowledge this. We celebrate it. And to help share gratitude for all those that make CryptoDickbutts so unique, the Gooch Gazette will include features on CDB holders along with their prophetic contributions.

Interviews: Reflecting our solidarity, the G.G. will also publish curated interviews with members of the discord (both new and OGs). Questions will explore the value of CryptoDickbutts, how collectors got involved, and what they believe the future has in store. A Google form has also been set up for anyone who’d like to submit their thoughts: https://forms.gle/Z1NzLns7dGWtfaDT7

Initiatives & Projects: It can be challenging to catch up on the latest news in the NFT world. So to help save you the time and effort, we will also include summaries of the most exciting and relevant initiatives relating to the CDB DAO and discord.

Further Reading & Education: Despite being a slightly contentious topic at times, memes are, in many ways, one of the foundations of the internet. Due to this, the newsletter will also include the occasional essay or thought-piece that explores the value of memes and broader philosophies related to CryptoDickbutts.

Takeaways, action points, and anything else: Lastly, as a gesture of thanks for your support, the Gooch Gazette will also include the occasional insight in the form of alpha strategies, and how-to guides.

Community Member Feature:

Without further ado, for our inaugural issue we’re proud to feature Kent - A Man of Culture.

“What happens when people open their hearts?"
"They get better.”
― Haruki Murakami, Norwegian Wood

There’s a noun in The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows called Sonder.

Quite simply, it is “the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries and inherited craziness—an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you’ll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk.”

While many will remain on the periphery of our memories, there are a special few that stand out, even from afar, to cast light and some warmth despite the cold indifference sown into the constellation of life experiences.

For those who may not be aware, Kent is such a person. Despite fighting a battle with cancer, he has continued to graciously share his time and spread joy and love to us all through his undeniable presence over the past several months.

To reference a post from DeepSeaBary (in the discord general chat, December 10th 2021):

VanillaSoyBoi @vanillasoyboi

Kent=A man of culture. @wearekent_ @CryptoDickbutts

“On 11/18/21 at approximately 9:36PM EST an individual going by the alias “Kent” posted in the CDB discord for the first time. “Kent” requested that members of the community assist him in the design and development of a meme featuring CDB #censored. @VanillaSoyBoi fulfilled this request at which point “Kent” unsuccessfully attempted to post a series of shill links to a .eth address which has now been identified as recyclenfts.eth. It was at that time that @Tripp notified “Kent” that you “can’t shill a shiller”. With the assistance of @Asianriceee and @Sordanman “Kent” was effectively cornered and the interrogation process was formally started. @atreides jumped in on the action and promptly coined the now famous !kent. Roughly 30 minutes later at approximately 10:20PM PST “Kent” identified himself (falsely) as an IRS agent that had been tasked with infiltrating the CDB Discord with the intent of identifying wallets that were circumventing US tax laws. After a series of additional false claims it was determined that “Kent” was actually “a pretty chill dude, or however he identifies, and was likely Alexis Texas”. Ever since then he/she has been a valued member of the CDB community. “Kent” is saving up for his “first” CDB purchase which will likely be a ballerina, which has been identified as his “favorite” trait. This is all we currently know. At this time the identity of “Kent” is still unknown, but it is widely believed that he/she is either; Alexis Texas, Eva Long, or Elon Musk.”

Although the identity of Kent remains a mystery, what’s undeniable is his desire to own a CryptoDickbutt has been fulfilled with two of the Series 3 collection. And with that, Kent is proof that dreams (no matter the !size) can come true.

Interview with Misu:

The reasons people buy into NFTs vary. From boredom to speculation, money laundering, or a voracious, perhaps even incestuous fixation.

Regardless, it takes a special person to recognise and adopt not one but two legendary CryptoDickbutts (Dickpet & Dickasus). Given all this and more, it was a guarantee that we would interview the collector, Misu.

Q: How and when did you first hear about CryptoDickbutts?

M: I saw stu55555 and kingloco shilling it in the BAYC (Bored Ape Yacht Club) members chat. Then they DMd me and sent me the links and invite.

Q: Do you remember or still have your first CDB? What was/is it?

M: Yes, I haven’t sold a single dickbutt. When they first introduced me to it, I spent days going through the whole collection and dropping lowball offers to everyone. Had I known it would take off like it did, I would have just bought them all at asking price (at the time around 0.2 floor)

Q: What are some of the key metrics you look for when buying or analysing any potential Dickbutts for your portfolio?

M: I like rare and aesthetically pleasing traits. The first ones I was attracted to were the pickle, sanchez and rainbow mohawk. Then I liked getting the rare skins.

Q: What made you decide to acquire your recent legendary butts? Was there anything (outside of the price) that appealed to you about them?

M: I already had a collection of 25 dickbutts before I picked up the first legendary. When I first started buying, kingloco had bought one of the legendaries for 20 something eth. and the others started getting snapped up too. The price on dickasus was just too good for a legendary. So I had to make it happen.

Q: What do you believe is the most underrated and undervalued aspect of CryptoDickbutts?

M: I think what most people don’t see initially is the community and the big holder base. We have a lot of super diamond hand holders, who are big nft collectors. Many punks own CDBs and they dont sell. Also, if you dont follow NFT twitter much, you won’t see how culturally relevant CDBs are. All the top taste makers/kols in the NFT space are fans of CDBs and also holders. So I dont think you can consider yourself a true NFT collector without owning a CDB.

Q: Where do you see the future direction of the collection?

M: I could really see CDBs being one of the top collectible NFT projects in terms of price. Theres scarcity and meme-ability.

Q: Do you have any advice or insights for newcomers?

M: BTFD.

Q: Lastly, what does the dickbutt meme and community represent to you?

M: It represents the free crypto NFT market. We arent gonna have big corporate/mainstream partnerships.