I like that idea. Most of the joy for me is finding somewhere new with a potential endpoint/outcome attached. I think the places themselves are the real treasure though.
Discussion
Perhaps I’m just paranoid but what is stopping someone burying a hazardous substance, explosive, or the like. I just think the treasure bit is simply not needed. What’s wrong with simply marking “this place is awesome, go visit it.”
I think it's the gamified element that appeals to people but yeah I'm more along your thinking. Which is why I like the atlas obscura site.
But also I'm not against geocaching or anything.
Your paranoia reminded me of the 'italian unabomber'. Who I believe had one device which was left on a beach disguised as a message in a bottle type thing.
The cool thing is that you can see who planted the Treasure, cryptographically signed like any Nostr event -- so you could choose which Treasures you feel safe searching for based on your level of trust in that particular user. Community trust scores can also be built up over time as more people report that the Treasures of certain users are of high quality. The app already has some verification logs built in, which are the start of this. For example, you could choose to only go find Treasures which have confirmed and signed "found" logs from other users you trust.
Hmm “trust” 😅
Yes, just like you "trust" that your friends are not harboring an axe murderer waiting to kill you when they invite you to dinner. Or the same way you trust that there are not explosives planted in the vending machine you're about to use. Or the same way you trust the checkout lady at the supermarket isn't secretly lacing your groceries with anthrax.
At a certain point, if you wish to exist IRL in a society with other people, trust is required. However, if you don't wish to, no one is forcing you to leave the house 😂 🤷♀️
Wow a little defensive. IRL friends and randoms via an app are not the same. And I’m very well travelled. I just don’t need a geocaching app to get me out. 🤣
Just answering your earlier question, "What's stopping someone from...", since you were curious 😊 🤷♀️
Yeah and my main point was why bother with the actual “treasure” whatever it might be.. and trust basically stops nothing 😊🤷🏻♂️ (it’s why we bitcoin because at its core it’s trustless).
Oh, I see. Well, because some people think it's cool to see what another person has left for them! 😁
For example, I enjoy finding notes in the treasures or seeing what items the person before thought to include, like a little window into another person's life. It makes you think about who they were, their life, and how your two lives have intersected. I suppose they have a similar appeal as time capsules, or finding a love letter pressed in the pages of a library book. Sonder, perhaps.
Not everything has to be for everyone, though. Its okay if its not for you and you just prefer the place. There are many ways to enjoy things :)
Don’t disagree 😊