# Re:Envisioning Web3 | Connecting vs. Networking

**Host:** Lyss / "Liz" (@Lysss302) with co-host Jed (@jed_131) · **Date:** Thu, 02 Jul 2026 · **Duration:** ~1:45 · **Speakers:** ~13 active voices

## TL;DR
- A round-table follow-up to yesterday's chat, built around one distinction: **networking (transactional, collecting cards) vs. connecting (genuine, slow-built relationships)**. [4:17]
- Jed and Liz laid out their playbooks — Jed on patiently cultivating connections in Web3 ("the bigger the fish, the slower the pull"), Liz on her pre-conference **spreadsheet + AI research + people-watching** system for IRL events. [20:07][23:45]
- A recurring theme: **many Web3 people are introverts**, and connecting is easier than networking for them — several speakers shared how they push through discomfort. [34:16][40:36]
- Superhighgasfees offered the space's most honest "L" — treating NFT Paris like a party and getting sloshed — as a cautionary tale. [51:00]
- Repeated call to action: **give compliments, add value, show up daily**, and don't be transactional. [33:00][35:00]
- Housekeeping: no articles in the reactions/replies (causes lag); recurring 3–4 a.m. pop-up spaces continue. [16:12]

## Highlights
- **[8:38] The "networking science" video.** Jed played a clip (a networking expert / "Captivate" author) explaining that "what do you do?" ranks lowest as an opener; "sparkers" like *"working on anything exciting?"* work better, and "super connectors" stand in the **social zone** right where people exit the bar.
- **[13:35] Liz on how the word "connecting" changed her.** She recalled Jed challenging her language back at their ~18th space; now 238 spaces later she realizes she was always connecting, not just networking — it was so natural she never noticed.
- **[15:24] Jed's "card collectors" rant.** From his Wall Street and restaurant days: people leave events with 50 cards but can't name one person. One or two real connections beat 50 cards.
- **[20:39] Building connections is slow and giving-first.** Jed: don't approach with "what can you do for me?" — find the niche you can fill, help first, and "the bigger the fish, the slower the pull."
- **[23:45] Liz's conference system.** She researches every attendee/project beforehand, builds a color-coded, importance-ranked spreadsheet (cross-checked with AI and event lists), then people-watches from a corner and googles what she hears before approaching with informed questions.
- **[34:16] Tim on IRL vs. online.** He flew to Jed's steakhouse for his first-ever IRL meetup; you quickly learn "who's real and who's not," and as an introvert connecting comes easier than small talk/networking.
- **[40:36] Dan's storytelling.** Treat an event like a concert where everyone loves the same band. He shared meeting "Adam Champion" outside Adobe Max and "Oscar" who wandered into an NFT event by accident and became a lasting friend by *disagreeing* about the art.
- **[48:43] Why high-net-worth people trust Jed.** A friend told him: they keep him close because he doesn't care about their money — genuine people are rare around wealth. He tied it to Tim's point about being "sold to." 
- **[51:00] Superhigh's honest fumble.** Admitted treating NFT Paris like a party and getting drunk — accidentally offending a booth rep over "drop shipping vs. outsourcing." Liz thanked him for being the one person honest about a fail.
- **[1:16:47] Astro's reframe.** Argues we're all fundamentally extroverts who want connection; introversion is often self-protection after being burned. Says he "failed at networking" but is rich in priceless connections.

## Topic timeline
| Time | Topic |
|------|-------|
| 0:54–4:17 | Music intros (Tom McDonald tracks), reminiscing about a 4 a.m. pop-up space |
| 4:17–8:38 | Welcome, framing today's topic: connecting vs. networking |
| 8:38–12:13 | Played networking-science video (sparkers, social zone, body language) |
| 12:13–16:12 | Jed & Liz open up; "card collectors" vs. real connections |
| 16:12–20:07 | Housekeeping (no articles); intros — Marg, Sho, Wealthy, May June |
| 20:07–26:13 | Deep dives: Jed on slow trust-building; Liz on her conference spreadsheet system |
| 26:13–33:20 | Studying Liz's natural skills; Donny on acquaintances vs. friends |
| 33:20–40:00 | Tim & the introvert experience; IRL vs. online personas |
| 40:00–49:47 | Dan's connection stories; Jed on wealth & genuineness |
| 49:47–56:08 | Superhigh's honest NFT Paris fumble; authenticity praise |
| 56:08–1:07:00 | Tim on connectors; Sho, Rob Allen, Sam on connecting |
| 1:07:00–1:23:33 | Liz thanks the daily community; Sam & Astro on introvert/extrovert |
| 1:23:33–1:38:09 | Wealthy & Dan on compliments, self-worth, adding value |
| 1:38:09–end | Wind-down, heat wave chatter, closing song |

## Notable quotes
- *"Just because you get a bunch of cards doesn't mean shit... But if you connect with one or two people there, it's maybe way more valuable than collecting 50 cards."* — Jed [15:24]
- *"The bigger the fish, the slower the pull."* — Jed, on approaching major players [21:12]
- *"I'd rather 10 solid connections where I'm still going to be talking to people years from that conference versus trying to just shake everyone's hand."* — Liz [22:35]
- *"That's my power as an introvert — I don't feel awkward just not saying something and walking away."* — Tim [58:00]
- *"Connections are priceless... but networking sometimes comes with a price tag."* — Astro [1:22:35]
- *"When people get to know me, I'm very much an extrovert. But it takes a little extra push for me to get there."* — Wealthy [1:26:17]

## Who said what
- **Liz / Lyss (@Lysss302, host):** Ran the round table; champion of the connecting mindset, IRL research/spreadsheet system, and community appreciation.
- **Jed (@jed_131, co-host):** Framed the whole topic; strong on give-first, slow-build connecting and the "card collectors" critique; played the songs and video.
- **Sho (@AgogoKaren):** Sees networking as a "cringe," transactional word; values deeper connections; admitted she sometimes misjudges people. Running gag about her wild 4 a.m. space.
- **Tim (@tim_8093):** First-time IRL attendee; introvert who connects better than he networks; walks away from extractive conversations.
- **Dan (@brokenrealitydh):** Thoughtful storyteller; grew up with little, learned to focus fully on others; praised compliments as a bridge from introvert to extrovert.
- **Superhighgasfees (@SHGFees):** The honest cautionary tale (NFT Paris party); praised for genuine, unfiltered energy; self-identified extrovert.
- **Astro (@astroquirk_):** Reframed introversion as self-protection; from door-to-door sales; "failed at networking, rich in connection."
- **Wealthy (@WealthySupreme):** Shared childhood insecurity and how compliments + confidence unlocked his ability to connect. (Gets ribbed for once rating himself a 10/10.)
- **Rob Allen (@RobbAllen15):** Relocated Oregon→Ohio, planning IRL travels; do your own research on people, don't follow "hearsay," set boundaries.
- **May June (@MayJune20121):** Connector who hands out stickers instead of business cards; overthinks outreach DMs.
- **Sam (@_sxms):** Introvert who credits Jed's push for getting him talking on spaces; connection = finding genuine people, building trust slowly.
- **Donny (@DogeDonny2013):** On here since 2013; distinguishes his handful of true connections from many acquaintances.
- **Margie B (@B4Margie):** Community anchor; handled the reactions/pinned posts; shout-outs to daily regulars.

## Worth a full listen
- **[40:00–49:47] Dan's stories + Jed on wealth and genuineness.** The "Adam Champion" and "Oscar" anecdotes and Jed's reflection on why high-net-worth friends trust him carry a texture and emotional beat that a summary flattens.
- **[1:17:00–1:23:33] Astro's full monologue on introversion as protection.** A genuinely thoughtful reframe of the introvert/extrovert debate that anchors the back half of the conversation.
- **[1:24:16–1:38:09] Wealthy and Dan on self-worth and compliments.** Both open up about growing up with little; the honesty about doubt, and the practical "give a compliment" thread, land better in their own words.