Doodles' DOOD Token: Will It Democratize NFTs or Just Enrich the Few?

The NFT universe is hopping these days, and Doodles is in the thick of it, once more. The anticipation around their upcoming launch of their DOOD token has fueled an absolutely incredible sales explosion. After just one day, sales had increased 97% and week over week sales had jumped 368%, demonstrating incredible momentum. Behind the hype and the rainbow aesthetics, a crucial question looms: Is DOOD a step towards a more equitable NFT landscape, or just another way for the early birds to feast?

Community Wealth Or Centralized Power?

Let's be honest. The promise of democratization is a frequent refrain, though, from projects with eyes on a mass adoption future — that tune rarely matches the dance. We've seen it before: a shiny new token, airdrops for the chosen few (i.e., NFT holders), and a governance system that sounds inclusive but is easily dominated by whales. Will DOOD be different?

Doodles has decided to distribute a huge portion of the tokens – 68% – to the holders themselves. That sounds fantastic. Let's dig deeper. 30% being retained by Doodles itself, and another 13% going to New Blood. Okay, so 25% to the "ecosystem fund." What does that really mean? Who controls that fund? How will it be distributed? Without those clear answers, it’s easy to be cynical. Are we truly lifting up the voices of the community? Or are we just creating yet another layer of intermediaries that will have the real power to control the narrative and the money?

Think about it this way: it's like a modern-day feudal system. The lord (Doodles) grants land (DOOD tokens) to the vassals (NFT holders), who then pledge allegiance (engagement, speculation) in return. The deal? A piece of the realm’s economic boom. The truth of it? The lord still dictates the laws, the crops, and in the end, the power.

Beyond Airdrops, Real Utility?

Airdrops are great. Who doesn't love free money? Airdrops alone don't build a community, and they certainly don't guarantee democratization. They're a sugar rush. What happens when the sugar wears off?

The true measure of DOOD’s success will be how useful it is. What are you realistically able to do with it outside of dreaming up ideas for what might be driving the price up. And most importantly, will it truly give holders the power to determine the future direction of the Doodles ecosystem? Will it foster creativity, collaboration, and innovation? Or is it just going to be a yield farming and governance theater enabler?

What I really think is the magic of NFTs is in the shared ownership and collective agency. We all want to create inclusive communities where everyone has a seat at the table. In such communities, every person is able to add value and benefit from the project’s success. If DOOD can be the key to do so, it will be revolutionary. If it’s just another memecoin in a shiny wrapper, it’s probably going to underdeliver. So these projects often fail to deliver genuine value.

Consider the alternative: a system where DOOD empowers artists within the Doodles community to create and sell their own derivative works, directly benefiting from their talent and creativity. DOOD holders have the unique ability to vote on proposals for new features, partnerships, and community initiatives. Whether through regular or even daily check-ins, this simple system keeps the project in line with the needs and wants of its community.

Accessibility: Newcomers Or Just Insiders?

Here's the burning question: Will DOOD be accessible to newcomers, or will it primarily benefit those who already own Doodles NFTs?

The moment airdrops are limited to NFT holders, the barrier to entry becomes significant. If you’re just learning about the Doodles ecosystem, you’re instantly a step behind. In addition, you need to purchase an NFT (which, not going to sugar coat it, costs a lot of money) just to enter the DOOD economy.

This is where things get tricky. Of course, the answer to this question rewarding existing holders is a well-known way to incentivize loyalty and participation. Such an approach would risk fostering a privileged, insular ecosystem. It can exclude newcomers and people who don’t have the financial flexibility to engage.

Accessibility is key. At a high level, DOOD’s goal is to democratize NFTs. In order to do this, it needs to be available to all, not just the rich and well-endowed. Discover new distribution methods such as community grants, public sales, and “proof-of-work” redistributions. Through participating in fun, creative, and purposeful ways, consumers can be rewarded with DOOD for their meaningful contributions to the Doodles ecosystem.

Now the success of DOOD depends on Doodles doing something. It must put its money where its mouth is and substantiate those claims with actual capital investment. Or will they actually challenge the community and support transformative practices, only to be subsumed into the larger space and upholding of power in the NFT world. Only time will tell. One thing is certain: the NFT world is watching, and the stakes are high.